I took mine in with me.  Since being diagnosed in 2002, I can count on one hand the number of times I slept without it.  I brought it into the hospital, after looking it over to make sure it was going to be safe (yeah, they do that), they gave it to me when I came out of surgery.  ANY time I was in bed, I had it on.  I like it, it makes it easier to breathe, and I was okay with it. 

Since then, I've even turned the pressure down once or twice, but I still use it. 

I'm two years out and was just diagnosed with sleep apnea. I got my cpap yesterday and since trying it out at the store I have had gas. It was a little last night but has been worse today. I didn't even realize it was related until I saw something online. I'm wondering the same things. Can we reduce it? Will it stretch the pouch?

It's actually gotten a little better.  I'm staying asleep for longer and when I do wake up its not for a dryed out mouth.  YAY for that! 

Thanks for getting back to me.  I'm taking it 1 not so enjoyable night at a time.  UGH!

So I've been using it for 2 nights....I'm waking up in the middle of the night with my mouth wide open & totally dried out.  I've never been a mouth breather - and didn't breath through my mouth during my 2nd sleep study using the CPAP....what's up with that - is it part of getting used to this thing?