Am I the one who cannot get used to this miserable CPAP torture device? I have had it for a month now and I'm not doing very well with it. I have the nasal pillow kind now (had the nose mask for a week) and I think this is the smallest mask there is. And yet, I still have a very hard time dealing with it! I feel like I'm suffocatng OR I wake up in the middle of the night with it off and blowing onto my face (or dh's face-LOL). I swear, I am not getting better sleep with this thing than when I was having 50 apneas per hour.

WTH?!

I've only been using it a week. Some nights are ok others suck! I have 16 apneas an hour. Hopefully after surgery I won't have to use it too much longer! Just think once we drop the pounds it will be over with (hopefully!)

Good luck

I hate using mine too. I also have the little pillows. I'm comfortable wearing it but I totally obsess over hearing myself breath...sounds crazy I know but the sound is driving me nuts. I also hate feeling the air that comes out of it. I am a very finicky sleeper and I easily fixate on the little things. My Dr said I need to wear it for the few weeks leading up to my surgery date and then I am going without it again...I am also hopefully that the apnea will go away after I lose some weight.

LOL Groovy I thought I was the only one that fixates on this crazy machine. I hate things touching my nose, grazing my nose, everything it sucks! I can't wait to get rid of this thing!

OMG! I never went and had my sleep test done when I was supposed to more than a year ago.. but OMG! You guys stop breathing that many times in an hour? WOW.. seriously WOW! My youngest who is 9 now..he had to have a sleep test done when he was hmmm..4 years old...and like he stopped breathing like 7 or 8 times in an hour..but 50 and 16? WOW When my son was an infant he snored like a man!

Isn't it crazy? Just to clarify, I averaged abt 50 per hour during the sleep study but not all of them were completely when you stop breathing. Some were apneas and some hypoapnea. The way I understand it hypoapneas are when you are partially obstructed but not completely cut off from air. I had a sleep study done 3 years ago because I'm constantly EXHAUSTED and i wasn't as bad. When I went back as part of my pre surgery testing, I am now classified as having severe apnea. I guess because I weigh more now.

I had another rough night with the cpap. I'm really not doing well with this machine. I was hoping that if I have to look like Darth Vader, at least I would feel more rested.

Hence another reason why I need this band!

OMG! I never went and had my sleep test done when I was supposed to more than a year ago.. but OMG! You guys stop breathing that many times in an hour? WOW.. seriously WOW! My youngest who is 9 now..he had to have a sleep test done when he was hmmm..4 years old...and like he stopped breathing like 7 or 8 times in an hour..but 50 and 16? WOW When my son was an infant he snored like a man!

Thanks for the explanation of all that.. I never knew about there being something called hypoapnea.. wow though that is just insane! WOW! Aww...that sucks not getting good sleep! And then having to get up and go to work and/or take care of kids, etc.. that's so hard! You poor thing! You definitely need this band! I'll be so happy for you the day you get some good sleep..that alone will make you feel like a different person!!

Glad it is n't just me!! I have tried for 3 months. I have moderate to severe sleep apenea. They turned down my machine and I still can't handle sleeping with it. I have to talk my clinic about it as I may try another mask. The problem is I am a very light sleeper. I hate the straps on my head. Either way I am not resest with or without. I guess they still may charge me for the machine. I am playing long so that it won't hold up my surgery.

K

Sleepless in Vancouver

Am I the one who cannot get used to this miserable CPAP torture device? I have had it for a month now and I'm not doing very well with it. I have the nasal pillow kind now (had the nose mask for a week) and I think this is the smallest mask there is. And yet, I still have a very hard time dealing with it! I feel like I'm suffocatng OR I wake up in the middle of the night with it off and blowing onto my face (or dh's face-LOL). I swear, I am not getting better sleep with this thing than when I was having 50 apneas per hour.

WTH?!

I stop breathing 15 times an hour.

Am I the one who cannot get used to this miserable CPAP torture device? I have had it for a month now and I'm not doing very well with it. I have the nasal pillow kind now (had the nose mask for a week) and I think this is the smallest mask there is. And yet, I still have a very hard time dealing with it! I feel like I'm suffocatng OR I wake up in the middle of the night with it off and blowing onto my face (or dh's face-LOL). I swear, I am not getting better sleep with this thing than when I was having 50 apneas per hour.

WTH?!

I have been using a bi-pap and the mask did take some getting used to. sleep apnea is a serious problem and my cardiologist sent me to a sleep specialist after I had my stint put into my circumflex artery. Both the cardiologist and the pulmonologist have told me that not using the device can stress your heart so much that it can percipitate a heart attack and that repeated episodes of reduced oxygen can damage brain tissue or lead to a stroke. After 8 years of using the device I don't know if I would sleep well without it I kinda like the noise it makes as it negates the tinitus (Too many loud Rock Concerts when I was young I guess ) They also both advised me that this is mostly a fat persons disease so losing weight will most likely cure you. Please note the hedging in that language, so be sure to check with your sleep specialist prior to hanging up the ol mask as another relic of our formally fat selves.

I have been on BiPAP (CPAP’s big brother) for 8 years. I am pushing 22 / 17 lbs of pressure. Before the machine I was averaging in excess of 150 events an hour and my life was a living hell. I lived in a state of constant exhaustion in which I could neither sleep nor stay awake. From my point of view the BiPAP / CPAP and the study of sleep disorders is one of the great medical discoveries of modern times. It has greatly changed my life for the better. Anyway because of the high pressure I have to wear my mask very tight. This has caused many issues from discomfort, places rubbed raw on my face and MRSA. While I truly understand the frustration that some have with the machine I strongly suggest working with your doctor and/or medical equipment supplier to find a mask that works for you. I ultimately ended up alternating between two different masks. The first is a mask that covers my nose and mouth, the second is a full face mask that looks something like a fire fighter oxygen mask.

Finally a little additional history and word of warning. Sleep apnea is not only weight related but also tends to happen in families (Body Type). I watched my grandfather and father suffer for years with sleep apnea only to be misdiagnosed or disregarded by doctors. In the end the disease contributed to the death of both of them.

Yes, I am aware of how serious it can be. My GP is OK with me not using it as it is weight related. The sleep clinic said the same thing. I have been playing telephone with the sleep clinic as I would like to try another mask. Hopefully a different mask will help.

The Sleep Clinic also wanted me to go for sleep obersavation. My GP & I decided not at this time. We will look at things after my surgery.

K

PS - I love the graphics

I have been using a bi-pap and the mask did take some getting used to. Sleep apnea is a serious problem and my cardiologist sent me to a sleep specialist after I had my stint put into my circumflex artery. Both the cardiologist and the pulmonologist have told me that not using the device can stress your heart so much that it can percipitate a heart attack and that repeated episodes of reduced oxygen can damage brain tissue or lead to a stroke. After 8 years of using the device I don't know if I would sleep well without it I kinda like the noise it makes as it negates the tinitus (Too many loud Rock Concerts when I was young I guess ) They also both advised me that this is mostly a fat persons disease so losing weight will most likely cure you. Please note the hedging in that language, so be sure to check with your sleep specialist prior to hanging up the ol mask as another relic of our formally fat selves.

I will keep trying. I will try the mask again again tonight and the rest of the weekend. Thanks guys!

Thanks everyone for your comments. I have got back on to my CPAP machine and the last nights have been no problem? I have been sleeping on my side and it has been ok. I can't thank you all enough for your support. xoxo

I have used a Cpap with a nasal mask for about 1 year now. There are products out there that can make it more tolerable. RemZZZ makes a mask liner. And there are strap covers by several companies. And I use an extra long hose with a tube cover and an arm hanger to have the tube come straight down instead of from the side. The arm swivals as I turn. I also use the mask liner and the strap covers. Just do a google search. There are many products out there that could help.

Great responses and input to my original post! I loved the cartoon, Big Tom!

About three years ago, I had moderate apnea and now it is severe. I have spent most of the past 15 years constantly tired.

I went back to the nasal mask and I'm doing better with it. I dont' mind the noise at all. I like white noise. I hate the straps on my head but the nose mask is better than the nasal pillow thing I was using. So, it is getting better but not perfect.

I am not experiencing any increased energy yet and I've been on this thing for a month. I pray I start feeling less tired. I also hope that I will not need the cpap after I lose weight. I feel embarrassed and very unattractive wearing this thing!

I have used a Cpap with a nasal mask for about 1 year now. There are products out there that can make it more tolerable. RemZZZ makes a mask liner. And there are strap covers by several companies. And I use an extra long hose with a tube cover and an arm hanger to have the tube come straight down instead of from the side. The arm swivals as I turn. I also use the mask liner and the strap covers. Just do a google search. There are many products out there that could help.