I am so so frustrated trying to use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea - I feel like Im suffocating and getting headaches - how its going to help me sleep through the night is beyond me.... I can't even fall asleep with that on my face with all that air blowing in my nose.... and why is it mandatory prior to surgery? The respiratory therapist changed the settings but Im still having trouble...Please tell me there's hope for me and my CPAP. Anyone here have any advice? If I can't use it, does that mean I can't have surgery?

Edited October 31, 20178 yr by comtngirl

I just received a CPAP machine about 2 months ago and it was a little rough at first. I felt like I was suffocating from the machine blowing air all the time and if you open your mouth all the air rushes out your mouth. But I have been using it for two months straight and I never realized how tired I was all the time and honestly I sleep so much better and I barely notice it. What setting did the respiratory therapist change the lowest setting to be? Mine is at a 4. How long have you been trying it for?

It does take a while to get used to it. I don't even really notice I have it on anymore (it's been years) until I wake up with the impression of the hose across my face

Do you just have the nose pillow, as it's called? It's not a mask, just goes in your nose.

Hi! Its only been a week, my setting is 4 and its the nose pillows not the full mask. Im wondering if Im having trouble cause I normally sleep with my mouth open. I really can't go to sleep with it on. After weight loss surgery, will I have a chance of been cured from sleep apnea? do you actually sleep better with it?

I really do sleep so much better with it. And I am so much more awake in the morning! I also slept with my mouth open, so it was something I had to think about before going to sleep, but I did get used to it. I really think the first couple weeks are just getting used to the machine. I don't even think about it anymore. But my pulmonary specialist did say there could be a high chance of not needing it anymore after I lost a significant amount of weight. So hopefully the machine will be gone soon! My surgery is Nov. 21st (eta 3 weeks). When is yours?

Your surgeon may want you on this machine for multiple reasons, the main one being that if you are unable to rest, you will be unable to heal properly. If you have untreated sleep apnea your surgeon may very well refuse to operate. I have been using my BiPap for over a year and it is 100% worth it. I sleep with my mouth open and so I use the full mask. Your mask affects how well you sleep even more so than the pressure (at least thats how I view it).

My mask sits just under my nose so I don't have this weird pressure on the bridge of my nose. I use the Amana (or amara, can't remember) View Mask. You may want to ask about a BiPap instead of a CPap as well.

Its funny but I just got a full mask in the mail - therapist thought it might work better since I sleep with my mouth open...so I'll try that!!! The smell is so plasticy - hopefully washing it will get rid of that smell...

I am anxiously waiting for the next step...I did the mental prof appt and did the sleep apnea thing - I guess what's next are classes - I just sent another email about setting up the classes...the waiting is tough...I'm assuming it won't be done until next year I'm using Kaiser in Denver - anyone else on here used Kaiser for their weight loss surgery???? Thanks for all your great comments!!!!

Oh and what's the difference from CPap to BiPap - KP is only offering the Cpap

Edited October 31, 20178 yr by comtngirl

3 hours ago, BusyMom945 said:

I never realized how tired I was all the time and honestly I sleep so much better and I barely notice it.

My wife had sleep apnoea too.

She's had the CPAP machine for about 15 months. The success of her two courses of the gastric balloon has meant a weight loss from 126kg to 89kg [278 pounds to 198 pounds] so far has meant that the sleep apnoea is now past tense.

Her review is about 8-9 days away.

In the first week or two of the CPAP machine, she went through a lot of 'tweaking' until she was comfortable with it. But she stuck with it and started having refreshing, solid sleep.

I urge you to stick with it. The results tend to strongly justify the initial feeling of discomfort and change.

I am happy to read the positive reviews -- I am doing the overnight study to set the pressure (?) on Sunday.

I had issues getting used to my CPAP at first, too. But you will get used to it. I'm hoping that since you sleep with your mouth open that a full mask may be just the solution you need.

I wore my mask for a good year plus and was used to it, and then got a knee replacement surgery and was sleeping so much on and off due to pain meds and naps that I got used to sleeping without it. I went back to work after 8 weeks off and wasn't using the machine except sporadically. I kept coming home and telling my husband that I was SO sleepy in the mid afternoon and just felt spent. I thought it was post surgical. He said, "Put the damned mask on. You're moving all.night.long". And so I did. I got used it all over again, and immediately my daytime sleepiness improved. I still nap without it on the occasional Sunday afternoon, but I never go to sleep without it on.

You'll get there - I promise.

I couldn't handle the CPAP masks - even the nose one. Having something on my face obstructing my nose made me freak out. Totally claustrophobic. So I went ahead and had a dental appliance made. It's basically two molded pieces of plastic that I wear on my teeth. There's a little wedge on the bottom one and an adjustable "catch" on the upper one. It works by moving my lower jaw out so that my airway is more open. Had to have it made by an oral surgeon. Took a while to work it out with insurance because even though you wear it on your teeth and it's made by a dental professional, it's medical-related.

My hubby has had his CPAP for 10-12 years. It took him awhile to get used to it. I hear it sucking air all the time thru the night. He now has a full face over his nose too. But this last mask is not sealing right. It drives me insane!!! But....it has helped him so much, I don't miss his snoring. I kid you not he used to snore so loud. We had our bedroom door closed with the TV up loud and we would hear him LOUDLY SNORING!!! That I don't miss. My SIL is always being woke up by the noise of not sealing so she reaches over and pushes it tight. LOL Made me laugh!! It might take you awhile to get used to it. BUT......it is so worth it, for everyone!!!

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On 10/31/2017 at 1:46 PM, comtngirl said:

Its funny but I just got a full mask in the mail - therapist thought it might work better since I sleep with my mouth open...so I'll try that!!! The smell is so plasticy - hopefully washing it will get rid of that smell...

I am anxiously waiting for the next step...I did the mental prof appt and did the sleep apnea thing - I guess what's next are classes - I just sent another email about setting up the classes...the waiting is tough...I'm assuming it won't be done until next year I'm using Kaiser in Denver - anyone else on here used Kaiser for their weight loss surgery???? Thanks for all your great comments!!!!

Oh and what's the difference from CPap to BiPap - KP is only offering the Cpap

Hi! I’ve been using a CPAP for 5 years now and l am totally used to it. I use a mask but the nose piece is barely bigger than my nose and It has a humidifier option too which is nice in the winter.

Is it getting any better?

Megan in MN

Hi! Its only been a week, my setting is 4 and its the nose pillows not the full mask. Im wondering if Im having trouble cause I normally sleep with my mouth open. I really can't go to sleep with it on. After weight loss surgery, will I have a chance of been cured from sleep apnea? do you actually sleep better with it?

i’m a rt and i use cpap! they could increase the ramp so it stays at lower level until u fall asleep! also they have chin straps for mouth breathers! get someone to tim how long it takes u to fall asleep and that’s what your ramp should be pls 5-10 min!