My sleep apnea has been cured. How you ask...I wear a CPAP. How does it work? It keeps you awake so you can't sleep.

No sleep =No sleep apnea. :scared0: LOL

Seriously though, after 3 nights with that thing, I am so freakin tired. I can actually handle the air. But having that thing strapped to my head is horrible. For the air not to leak, it has to be on rather tight and it's so uncomfortable.

They said after about 3 weeks, that you start really feeling the results and waking up refreshed. I can't imagine 3 weeks like this. UGH

I even took a sleep aid last night but all that did was make me feel more tired this morning because I didn't "sleep it off".

Does anyone know how to make this more bareable?

I have been using a mask for several years and one of the things that I've found that helps is to look for sleep apnea forums online. With some masks you can boil them to make the plastic softer and more yielding against your face, but you need to check the manufacturers directions first. Also, make sure you are not wearing any moisturizer or lotion that can interfere with the suction. If the mask is holding by suction you don't have to make the straps too tight. Hope this helps! I love my CPAP, but I didn't always. :scared0:

Thanks so much.

Maddie - sounds like a nightmare.. but stick with it - and soon you won't need it at all post op!

Good luck

Kathy

I have been using a Bi-Pap machine for a number of years now. A Bi-Pap gives you a chance to breathe out without a continuous strong flow of air like a C-Pap. I could NEVER use a hard mask that covers my nose and mouth. I use a Nasal-Air or Nasal-Aire. It is just like an oxygen canula only the tubing is bigger around.

I really need a new one and the medical supply place said they no longer are available, but they ARE :thumbup: ! If you google them you can find them.

I even sleep on my stomach with it on....LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!

I hope soon after surgery I won't need one any more. I have severe apnea. Hope this helps!

Thanks Kathy and thanks KabinKitty, I will check into that.

I wish I had some advice. All I can say is that I understand how miserable you are. I haven't had apnea since they removed my tonsils as a teenager but the short time I had to use the c-pap was miserable. Sorry I couldn't be more help but I wanted to let you know that I feel your pain! Good luck!

I have been on CPAP for several years and.............it is my crack cocaine.........I love that thing. I cannot sleep without it. It does take some getting use to but.......it is so-so-so nice to actually sleep and not choke all night.

Search a sleep apnea forum for help and you will get great info.

I agree with Timmy it does get better. I can't sleep without it. My friends want to go camping and I refuse unless we have a power hook up!!

The other thing is call your sleep center don't wait. They want you to be successful and they will help you!

Edited May 26, 201016 yr by BeenThereWasThat

Most sleep center's will let you exchange your mask after a few weeks. I've tried several and only like the nose mask type. I like the nasal pillow type, but I always seem to knock it lo0se as I tend to roll from side to side as my low back pain doesn't allow me to sleep on my back or sides for more than 30 minutes at a time.

I won't even take a nap now without it.

Well since I had the surgery on April 14th 2010 , I have not used the c-pap machine. Wow... I had to get used to it also but I loved my machine as well. I took it with me on vacations and everywhere i went . BUT I sure do not miss it :biggrin0:.. I do not need it any longer..My husband says I don't even snore . ( as Loud) LOL:lol0: he says I don't toss and turn all nite or I don't wake up all through the nite. It was a true blessing that I had this done. My health was in bad shape. Now I feel like i have a chance to live:001_tt2: . God Bless you all.:thumbup1:

I can truly feel pain. I just got my about 2 1/2 weeks ago. Things are finally getting better. First I had to switch to a different mask. I'm doing better on the new one, but at first I had it on too tight. It's seems like every other nigt I'm still taking the mask of in the middle of the night when I'm mostly asleep. Sometimes if I wake up again, I put it back on.

I had to laugh when I read you post, though. I said almost the same thing to my husband on the 2nd night I had my CPAP. After tears and a mini tantrum I told him that I was just going to stay awake all night. Then there would be no way I could have sleep apnea. - I was so exhausted the first week or so. I definately wasn't getting enough sleep. - Things are not quite where I'd like them to be yet, but it's definately much better.

Good luck - I hope it gets better for you soon.

pretty much the same as everyone else! :biggrin0:

I started with the nose pillows, tried the nose only mask after two weeks - now switch back and forth between the two.

I have slid kleenex into the places that rub on my face. There were some fabrics that also came with the masks, the kleenex is thinner.

It did take a few weeks to get used to it. There are times now that I can sleep 8 hours or more with one of the masks - and other nights I barely make it two hours. Not always a reason that I can figure.

Overall, I do think I am feeling less tired during the day. Hoping to get rid of it later but probably won't even try to wean off it until the fall.

Thanks everyone. I'll keep trying and I will use Kleenex, that really may help.

I've used a CPap for a couple of years...yes difficult at first..but now I love it. I use a gel mask which covers only my nose...it is soft and comfortable. The noise is much like a white noise machine...soothing. I would encouage you to find a mask that is comfortable, and stick with it. It has changed my life for the better... but like most things worth doing..it takes time. Blessings

I can feel you're pain. I also wear a CPAP. I have been using it diligently since December. This is my third try with it. Two times before I gave it back. Now I can't sleep without it. You have to get a mask that works for you. There are literally hundreds on the market each with small differences. They even have special pillows for people who are belly and side sleepers. I like you couldn't handle it at first but found that if I used Carmex lip balm on my lips before I went to sleep it kept me from gettinb too dried out at night. It actually worked, after about 3 days I noticed i woke up at 6:00am (my usual wake up time) and it was still on.

Oh, and don't keep it too tight a small leak is acceptable.

If you would like to PM me I can give you more info, I'm a Respiratory therapist and work for a sleep center so I may be able to give you more tips based on what you are experiencing.

Hope this helps and just keep trying.It'll get better and the benefits are worth it.