Well, I completed what I believe to be the last step in my process prior to insurance approval: my sleep study. I had my sleep study last Friday. It was the worst night's sleep of my life. I am an extremely light sleeper, so I hear every little noise around me (which is why I usually have a fan running, so the "hum" of it will lull me to sleep). The bed was hard as a rock; the pillows were hard and "crunchy" (made noise whenever I moved); and let's not even get into all the crap glued to my face and body.

I was told that if they detected any breathing issues, they would come in about 3-4 hours into the study and give me the CPAP. I figured since I never really got into deep sleep, and could feel myself breathing all the time, I wouldn't need it. WRONG! She came in with the full face mask at about 12:30 a.m. I failed to mention that I'm a wee bit claustrophobic, so had it not been for the fact that I was groggy and half asleep, I would've had a panic attack. But I was so tired, I let her put the mask on. She also came in again a couple of hours later to reattach one of the wires on my leg that had come loose. Anyway, the mask stayed on until 5:00 a.m., when I just couldn't take it anymore. She had the humidifier hooked up to it, and it was squirting Water all over the place, which caused me to wake up constantly. I called her in and told her about it, and she commented that I was never able to get back to sleep after she put the mask on (DUH!) I came home, washed the glue crap out of my hair, and had the best 3 hours of sleep in my life in my own bed, with my own pillows. :-)

For those of you with sleep apnea, do you think I will be prescribed a mask? If so, I absolutely cannot have the full face mask.

Sorry for the long post. Thank you for listening.

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea several years ago. I was given the cpap machine, but every time I tried to sleep with it I always took it off within a few hours. Usually they make you go through the song and dance of getting it, but after surgery you will not need when you start to lose the weight.

The sleep study was my last step also and I failed. I was able to try on a few masks before my second sleep study where they calibrated my machine. I actually started with a full face mask and tried it for two weeks but it kept losing the suction and just was shooting water and air in my eyes . I then switched to a nasal mask and it only has one, very comfortable strap, which prevents "strap hair". It is made by Fisher & Paykel and is called the Pilairo. No matter what mask, adjusting to a Cpap is tough, if you do get a machine, give yourself time to get used to it. I was very motivated to use it and make it work since my doc checks the card and won't do the surgery unless I am using it at least 4 hours a night.

It's so interesting how different people react to the c-pap machine . I can't use any mask other than the full face mask. I open my mouth when i sleep and felt like I couldn't breathe with the other mask. The nasal pillows kept falling out.I have severe sleep apnea and never realized how poorly I slept until I had the machine and was rested for the first time in the morning I have used it faithfully for 2 years but hope after surgery I will say good bye to it. I hope it gets easier for you.

CPAP saved my life! I had no idea how sleep deprived I was until I started using it. Please don't give up on trying to use it at least for a few hours each night. You will feel so much better. I went as low as 70% oxygen absorption in my sleep study...I had no idea how much the apnea was affecting my brain, organs, etc.

Also my partner can finally sleep through the night without being terrified that I died, or woken up b/c of the loud gasping snores. I'd anything, do it for your honey!

Wow! Thank you all so much for your support and information. I just love this site.

I just had the study done last week, and will get the results next Wednesday. So, I don't yet know which type of apnea I have. I have absolutely NO problem with wearing a CPAP mask. I would just like to get one that's comfortable and won't make me feel like Hannibal Lecter. LOL It's not even a vanity thing, either. I live alone and don't have a "honey" (though I'm always hoping that will change!), so I could care less what I look like when I'm sleeping.

Strangely, as poorly as I slept during the study, I did feel different when I left. My congestion had cleared up, and my head felt a little clearer. I can only imagine how much better I will feel with a full night's sleep. :-)

I had a sleep study done About a year ago and turns out I have obstructive sleep apnea that's pretty severe. I stop breathing 115 times an hour. I've tried using my CPAP but other than the first night I wore it ( for my second sleep study) I can't sleep with it and just have gotten to the point were I don't use it. I am having surgery on January 22 and I am hoping they don't require me to wear it ( I know I have to bring it just in case). I can't wait to lose weight and hopefully get rid of my sleep apnea for good!!

Also I sewed two little pillows for the sides of my mask so it wouldn't dig into my face. It helps so much.

Also I sewed two little pillows for the sides of my mask so it wouldn't dig into my face. It helps so much.

that is so cool i so need to do something like that. I have strap marks all the time. If I take a nap and then go somewhere in the evening everyone says what is wrong with your face. BUT i don't even lay down for five mins with out putting my BI Pap on. I love it and don't really even think about not needing it. But I have had sleep apnea an really awful snoring even when I wasn't obese, I even had surgery to try to correct it years and years ago but still ended up needing the Cpap first then on to a BIPaP and my settings are pretty high.

So please everyone keep trying to use it. It really does get easier and it will make a big difference in the quality of your sleep.

I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea 8 yrs ago, had nasal surgery, tonsils and upper pallet/tongue shaved down. After all of that my apnea was worse! I wore a full face mask for yrs because I sleep with my mouth open. I was fitted with a mouth guard 1.5 yrs ago and it was the greatest device ever! It took some work finding a doctor approved with Tricare Ins, but it was worth it. Look for a doctor specializing in TMJ, sleep disorders and headaches. If anyone is from Columbus, OH, I used Dr Austin on Olentangy River Rd. strange but good.