Thanks for the kind words of advice. I've now lost 142 lbs since my highest weight, and am at goal. I feel better than ever, and am truly resting when I sleep. Maybe some day I'll do another sleep test, but it's not in my near future. All of my physical symptoms are now gone, and my wife can attest I'm not gasping for air in my sleep. Take care, --Dave

Been on cpap 15 years, just use a filter pitcher for my water source in my heated humidifier. , a little vinegar cleans out the lime deposit once in a while, and the insurance company buy new canisters every six months with the new face mask as routine maintenance.

GOOGLE SLEEP APNEA COMPLICATIONS AND SURGERY, HERE'S AN EXAMPLE, APNEA CAUSED MY ATRIAL FIBRILLATION, BECAUSE OF MY APNEA I WAS KEPT AWAKE DURING MY PULMONARY VAIN ABLATION 16HR HEART SURGERY TO CURE THAT HEART AILMENT. APNEA CAN PREVENT YOU FROM STARTING TO BREATH AFTER SURGERY, OR JUST STOP BREATHING , THEY CALL IT SIDS IN NEWBORNS. ITS NOT JUST SNORING. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS236US239&q=SLEEP+APNEA+AND+SURGICAL+COM PLICATION&btnG=Search

I have been using mine for about 8 months now. I had a really hard time with it at first and it probably took a good 3 or 4 months for me to stop ripping it off in the middle of the night. I remember that feeling of not getting enough breath...but you are. You may even try to up the setting a notch or 2 and take it off of ramping if it is on. But...now that I am used to it, I actually am a bit addicted to it. I have heard this same thing from other CPAPers and I think it just takes some time, figuring out the best positions to sleep in, messing with the straps, etc. and being diligent. You will wake up one day and suddenly be like wow...i guess this thing does work. Mine still squeals and farts at me in the middle of the night sometimes, but I just rearrange it and fall back asleep. I guess what I am getting at is that once you can tolerate it regularly you will start to notice the difference it makes.

I don't get on this board too often, so you may have resolved this already! I had trouble with my gel mask, and stomach sleeping. I switched over to the nasal pillows about 6 months ago, and it took me about a week or so to get used to them, but my face is much better! No morning red triangle on my face, strap marks, etc. I now ramp it almost every night, so by the time I'm n odding off, it's just reaching full strength. They were covered by my insurance, and the office nurse said if they didn't work for me, I could go back to a different type of gel mask. (which I didn't need) Good Luck! Mary C