Hi all, I have sleep apnea and cannot sleep on my back. I tried the CPAP and it just made things worse. I felt like I was sufficating even though air was blowing in my nose. I have found out I have a very long soft palate. My only option is surgery to remove some of that palate. I lost my favorite ENT due to an insurance change and I am in search of another. She does a very conservative surgery and doesn't remove ALL of it. If it doesn't work, she then goes back in for free to remove more. Any one living in Northern VA have a great ENT doctor who accepts Cigna Open Access POS insurance? Paula

I was diagnosed after losing 165 pounds. I'm 190 now and still need the machine. Mine is obstructive sleep apnea so my throat collapses. The weight makes it better but it is still bad. I had a horrible time getting use to it. I would wake up with the cord around my neck. It would be on the floor. It would be facing my husband with the air hitting him. I didn't even remember taking it off. The sleep Dr. had me see he sleep shink. That is what I call her. She did a mask fit with me. I tried about 5 different ones. She gave me a happy pill to take at night to relax me and help me get use to the machine. The pill upset my stomach so I had to stop. Now I take Ambein. It knocks me out and I don't notice the machine. I also stopped the machine and went to the dental device but I keep waking up. Good luck with the machine. Keep trying.

I had sleep apnea also. I started wearing a mask a month before the surgery. It kept me up at night. It took a long while to get use to it, but you will. I tried the nasal (two holes) mask but it was to much pressure to take and was also irritating. I also tried the fnacy activa..no good. I likef\d the plain resperonics (maker) mask its called "______light" (i forget the name) I can't remember the name, but it has a blue gel around the nose peice and this mask was the most comfortable for me. I sleep on my stomach so it took a while to gwt used to. I had to learn to sleep on my side or back. I am happy to say that after 7 moths after surgery and 120 pounds down. I don't have sleep apnea anymore and no longer use a cpap. I wish you the best.

Hi Rebecca I just read you are having trouble with the cpap situation. I was diagnosed 2 years ago and after much trial and error sleep pretty well. (I am planning lap-band surgery-260 lbs) I am a freak about my sleeping ritual(ask my hubby). Ive tried several masks but my favorite is the mirage that just fits over the nose. It has a very soft part that touches your face but forms a seal that will move but keeps from leaking. I also use a chin-strap(macdaddy as the lady at the home health store calls it) It is wide and I dont pull it too tight. I have alot of nasal congestion so just before I get inbed I blow my nose, take nyquil and ambien cr(ambien is a must and the new time release is a godsend) I have a white sound machine that I play all night in addition to running a fan by my side of the bed. I read something very light(no surgery stuff) with very low light for about 15 minutes and try not to get too awake putting on my mask and strap. I also sleep with a pillow wedge to elevate my head and shoulders slightly. I have an extention on the tube which helps if you move around. O and I take mirapex for restless leg syndrome. I hope one of these ideas helps. I have felt like a new person. One of my main goals with the surgery is to rid myself of sleep apnea. Also I am worried about the surgery and the fact they dont like to use the cpap during it-how was that for you. Hope some ideas help Good luck Elizabeth

hi, i started out on 27.5 lbs over a year ago, went back to my sleep doctor told him i couldnt sleep on this machine and he lowered to 24.5 lbs still couldnt sleep, so i did not wear it for 1 year , went to a different pulminary doctor and he lowered to 18 lbs and i have been sleeping ever since, by the way what was the apnea count? .....curtis gordon