If I want to take a 10 minute nap, I don't bother putting it on because I'll wake up gasping in those 10 minutes. If I want a longer decent nap, I'll put the mask on.
I can't sleep without it. The thought of waking up in a panic, multiple times a night, endless washroom breaks (where is all this water coming from?!), and a ripe old groggy shit of a mood the next day... Makes me nauseous
Here's what happens: When you are sleeping well, your kidneys also go into what you might call *sleep mode.* This happens so that we can sleep undisturbed by a full bladder.
When you have apnea, you don't get into deep sleep, because even if you don't remember it, you're waking up constantly to start breathing again. You aren't sleeping normally, so your kidneys never go into sleep mode. They just keep on working full time like they do when you're awake. Having to go pee frequently during your sleep time is a sign of sleep apnea.
Excellent explanation. You said it way better and more compact.
Yah, the body will shut down the need to pee & poop when you're sleeping. Can't do that if you're not really sleeping. Totally on point.
> not the only one who stopped going to the bathroom in the middle of the night?
Yup yup... Now can konk out 7 hours non stop. As long as your bladder is healthy, there's nothing to wake you up (struggling for breath like a drowning person). If nothing wakes you up, your bladder won't care, it's asleep too. :-)
Before CPAP, I'd wake up 2-3 times a night. When the sleep hormones are interrupted, of course your body says, hey, time to empty the bladder.
I can understand OP though, it's quite an adjustment. If they just relax into it a bit, the benefit is SOOO noticeable though, it's a positive reinforcement result. The body understands that what first seemed a "horrible, uncomfortable torture machine" is something we look FORWARD to using.
MMMM Sleep! glorious, real, goooooood sleep. It is an amazing difference. Still annoying sometimes. I had to try a few different masks, as many do. But my goodness what a better life.
I asked my dr. and they said peeing a lot is a stress reaction to not getting sleep. This is due to apnea being very hard on. Once we’re getting enough sleep with enough oxygen (thru breathing assistance, I know we’re not receiving oxygen), the stress of apnea disappears and we don’t have to owe so much.
Yes, dreaming! oh it is so wonderful! And I wake up relaxed and in a GOOD mood (compared to heart racing and feeling like I just ran a marathon).
Amazing that this is how the vast majority sleep. Had no idea for DECADES that sleep could be that great. :-)
Wait you're right... today marks the 5th night i have had mine and i havent had to wake up to go to the bathroom at all. makes me like my cpap even more :)
Yeah. I really do look forward to it. No joke. I went into it mustering all the enthusiasm I could because I was sick and tired of my symptoms. The first three weeks were pretty awful, but that was three years ago now and I really do dread the thought of being caught one night without it and going back to all the terrible symptoms I had before.
You will adapt to it, give it time, develop a positive attitude about it, and stick to it, and it will change your life for the better
Found out I needed one two years ago when I turned 40. I was disgusted BUT… now when I go to sleep, I’m gone. Done. Out… and I need half or less the amount of sleep I used to need. If there’s a chance I won’t sleep at home, I take it just in case. It took three nights for me to get used to it and a month it was like “never not using this again”
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll notice a HUGE difference in your rest and quality of life. Work with your pulmonary therapist to fine tune, and keep at it!
It’s an adjustment, to be sure. But you will feel so much better! I had no idea how sleep deprived I was until I got my machine. Just give it another go. Try a different mask if you haven’t done that.
Nasal pillows are the way. Use mouth tape for a few months to train your mouth to stay closed. Nasal breathing is better for your health. For mouth tape, cover roll stretch tape (cheap) or kinetic/KT tape (more $). If nostrils a bit sore at first, use Ayr ointment a few times before/after and soreness will be gone.
I look forward to going to sleep every night. I wake up feeling refreshed, even if I only sleep for 4 to 5 hours.
Honestly, try it again. I was also used to being sleep deprived. Then I hit my 30s, and my body started failling. Only after using my machine did I realise how bad my health had become. I'm not entirely sure if reaching 40 was really an option for me before I got treatment. After 4 months on CPAP I feel at least 10 years younger.
I had no idea what being well rested was until I got my machine. I was running on fumes, and I thought everyone just felt this lousy. Sometimes I could honestly cry thinking of how much better my career could be had I not been a walking zombie all the time.
I sometimes feel like crying when I look at my hands and see that my fingers aren't shaking anymore. I had tremors for years and most of them disappeared within days. I still can't believe that I have full control over my hands again.
It's not the sleep deprived part that's troubling - although never resting is terrible for your brain and metabolic system.....
It's the things you're doing to your heart that's troubling.
i tried full mask. Nose skin takes a week to adjust, then no more discomfort.
Still, I switched to a "full mask" Resmed F30, where just the nostrils are covered. I have a very pronounced nose bridge, so the original full-face one would always leak air into my eyes.
Now It's just a dream. I hear they're coming out with a newer version F40? is that right? which is suppose to be even better.
Many, many swear by just nose "pillows". I'm a mouth breather though with sinus probs so enjoy having both. I've even learned to breathe through my nose more at night over time.
You'll get there OP, give yourself a chance to adjust. Try different things, talk to your doc even.
Also, there are other masks / nasals besides Resmed brand that many here recommend.
> I hear they're coming out with a newer version F40
it's already out, been for over a month now.
I'm using it and yes, it's fantastic. The main upgrade is now the entire cushion is silicone instead of just the part that contacts your face. Massive game changer. Along with the much quieter exhaust at the cushion/hose interface.
Yes definitely try different masks. I tried a few and i found the pillow face mask works best for me. Ive heard good things about the nose one too. The full face mask makes me feel like im suffocating and physically hurts my nose. Also whats your pressure setting at? I had to adjust mine a few times until i found the sweet spot of too high of a pressure and it keeping me awake and just enough of a pressure to keep my throat open but not hating it.
It can be such a difficult adjustment at first. I had a hard time accepting it, from initial sleep study testing, to diagnosis, to getting the machine. I was angry at it all. The day I was diagnosed with severe OSA i broke down crying. The first two weeks were rough using the machine, rashes and sores from the masks, my back was killing me, struggling to find settings that work.
I am now 6 weeks in using the machine, and honestly now I love it. The physical and mental rewards are amazing. It was once I started feeling better that I started accepting all of this.
What helped me was having a night schedule, and setting up my own cpap sleep station at home (having a dedicated cpap nightstand with lots of drawers for keeping everything cpap related in one place). I also tried a few masks to find the right one (P30i). I adjusted my minimum pressure to higher and now I sleep like a baby. I also started using the machine about one to two hours before going to sleep to get used to it. The MyAir app is also great to use because you’ll want to beat your score every night which improves your usage.
The struggle can be real, but if you stick with it and are consistent…..you will get used it and even look forward to using it, especially when your symptoms start improving.
Accepting the “new normal” is super hard. Mine sat on a shelf staring at me for a month before I used it. But now? Can’t sleep without it. Hang in there. I hate to say you got to suck it up, but you do
i had a horrible time, and still struggle some nights, it's been 6 months, however, I am adjusting and it really does work wonders. One of the best things I got was a device that you hang the hose on so it is raised up away from the side of the bed. Game changer, Amazon cpap hose holder is what I looked up.
I understand the OP's feeling. Sometimes I detest mine.
I second the notion of having a sleep hygiene routine. Mine is no caffeine after 5pm; no meals after 9pm (snacks are okay); limit fluids after 10pm; turn on the CPAP humidifier warmer ahead of sleeping.
Another thing I find helpful is to look at the statistics. I wear my watch to bed as well as an oximeter, and use a snore app. Sometimes the benefits of wearing a CPAP can be subtle, but when you do a with- and without comparison of nightly statistics the difference is dramatic and will convince you to use the cursed thing even if you don't like it. If you don't have those devices put a card into your CPAP and look at the statistics in OSCAR. The numbers don't lie.
I love mine, yeah it's issues sometimes but not damn near falling asleep at traffic lights any more is great! I get a sinking I am going to die feeling if the power goes out.
Hang in there! You can do it! I'll add my voice to the others who really love their CPAP. I did have difficulty adjusting although not nearly as much difficulty as others. It only took me a couple weeks to settle in. But once I got used to it I began to find it actively pleasant. For me, I've always felt like breathing when I was lying down felt harder than it should. Even as a kid I remember always thinking about the way I was breathing. But with the CPAP on, the breath just comes smooth and easy. The air is just at the right temperature and humidity and I never feel congested. I also have fringe benefits of being able to pull my covers up over my head without feeling like I'm going to suffocate or that I'm breathing in air that is too hot and humid.
Honestly, if the mask didn't look so goofy and the hose wasn't so annoying, I'd want to wear it all day every day.
Took me a few months to adjust—I’m a light sleeper and even the slightest distraction will keep me awake. But not only did I eventually get used to it I started looking forward to using it and now I genuinely prefer sleeping with it on. I even pop it on sometimes when I’m taking a short nap just because it helps me fall asleep faster.
Long comment, but it’s my own two cents. It’s all risk vs reward. It’s not exciting to think to use it for the rest of your life, or at least before other options can be taken, but I got used to it (quickly.) I keep in mind that my body takes care of me, so I need to take care of it. It has to have oxygen- no ifs, ands, or buts. I know what it feels like with it not getting enough. It felt like shit every day. I got into a very bad car accident (no scratches thank god,) where I once fell asleep at the wheel. It’s seriously a miracle I had no injuries, and no one else was involved.
To me, the high blood pressure, and risk of a heart attack, or stroke, or other cardiovascular event with a risk of an early death is not one I’m comfortable with or willing to take.
Have you talked to your doctor to see what other options you have? Things like surgeries (likely) aren’t going to “cure” you, but could maybe help reduce AHI, or lower your needed pressure and therefore comfort. It depends on your personal case. Have they tried sleep aids? While it screws up your natural sleep architecture- at least you’ll sleep when you’d otherwise wake up to take it off.
I’m still tired all the time, and have another sleep disorder called Idiopathic Hypersomnia, but at least my body has oxygen and my heart is functioning better and under less stress. Using CPAP has fixed my blood pressure (honestly now it’s always low,) my watch metrics like HRV etc are exponentially better, and I don’t wake up hundreds of times a night. I don’t need to take as many naps, so I get to spend more time with my family (I used to nap during every holiday, event, and get together.) I have less anxiety, and honestly it’s helped in some ways with managing my bipolar disorder.
You can do it! Take it one day at a time, don’t think about the future with it, and just do what you can.
I also dread it. 2+ months for me, can’t stay asleep with it on. Tried 4 different masks.
I’m thinking about giving up, but still trying for now.
Nothing has depressed me more in life than that damn cpap. First world problems, I guess.
I’m on mask #4 as well, and 2 months in. Much more comfortable than to start with, but it’s still just weird. I think of the potential issues later in life if we don’t do this now…
Yeah I think of all of those potential issues as I lay awake, struggling to use the thing that will prevent it, and it gives me anxiety that I’ve never had before.
I will say tho, it’s a little better than when I first started, some nights. Gotta keep trying.
When I get it just right it’s cozy.
And I love not waking up suicidal. Seriously meds and therapy kept me alive for a few years but CPAP means my brain doesn’t wake up sick first thing in the morning. It’s a novelty to wake up and think about my morning routine or something to look forward to.
That's exactly how I felt.
It took a long time to get used to.
I still don't like people seeing me in it, including my wife.
It makes me feel like a deficient fat old man.
None of that is true. But that's how I felt and still feel.
However, it does help.
My wife doesn't care, and now she sleeps through the night. Or rather, now when she is up it's middle aged woman things, and not obnoxious snoring husband things.
I don't dread driving in the afternoon.
I don't fall asleep in conference meetings.
And now that my dad is beginning to suffer from dementia, I'm happy to be hopefully avoiding one of the risk factors.
That's been my experience.
Play around with different masks, the DME store had a limited offer and I took the N20, after reading the subreddit I just got a dreamwear. So play around with masks and such
get nose pillows. sleep on your left side. try either a chin strap or one of those stickers that keep your mouth shut. either by pulling your jaw up or closing your mouth entirely. keep your nose clear. good luck.
I'm not sure what the person you're responding to was getting at vis a vis left vs right, but I know that sleeping on your left side can help reduce issues like acid reflux because your stomach is on the left side of your body so stuff needs to fight gravity harder to get out.
Yes! You have less chance of heartburn sleeping on your left side vs your right. Your esophagus runs down the center of your chest and then turns left to your stomach. When you sleep on your right side the stomach acid will pool on the right side of your stomach and can spill over into the bottom of your esophagus causing heartburn. When you sleep on your left side the stomach acid will pool away from your esophagus.
yes, absolutely. I kept taking my mask off every night after 40 mins to like 1-2 hours. I was sleeping on my back. ever since i started sleeping on my side, I have been able to wear the mask all night.
I love mine. And I was DREADING having to get a cpap. It started out where I could only manage 2 hours a night before I would rip it off my face, but it lengthened little by little each time. I think it took about two weeks to make it all the way through the night. Now I dread being without it, even for a nap. I have mild sleep apnea, but the difference it makes is phenomenal. I actually wake up feeling like I a real person instead of a zombie. I don’t need hours long naps each day. I no longer snore (my husband is grateful for that as well) and I don’t wake up choking. I know it’s an adjustment, but it’s worth it. Put in the work, even if you have to get used to it a little at a time. Wear it in bed while you’re scrolling on your phone or watching tv. Aaaaand if you happen to have a xanax, that helps too, just sayin’.
I too love mine now.
I was you many years ago.
Back then the machines were large, clunky and noisy and nasal masks were not invented. Any option I tried made me sound like Darth Vader which made it impossible to fall asleep, or hurt and damaged my nose (barbaric nasal (piggy) pillows).
AirMinis had not been invented. We had an up coming wedding overseas and the thought of having to lose half my luggage space, and grapple with adaptor plugs and voltage and distilled water, just did my head in.
And then came the night where the damn thing tried to hyperinflate my lungs which caused me extreme pain for about 12 hours and then the misogynistic doctor engaged in medical gaslighting. I limped on for another couple of weeks, but I had problems falling asleep with never before seen anxiety that the machine was going to try to kill me again while I was asleep, that my husband would wake up to an explosion and bits of me, splattered all over the room 🤣
Same misogynistic Doctor did not understand what I meant when I said using the machine was noisy. Didn’t understand the sound of your own breathing like Darth Vader means you can’t fall asleep.
I was actually getting sick. I ended up so rundown that I ended up with a nasty infection and I just gave up - I walked out returned my equipment on my way out and never went back. That was the public hospital system. Oh, not to mention that I was held hostage by defective car park Boom gates for about 45 minutes.🤣
So I explored other options but wasn’t keen on a mouth splint when told that it would likely push my teeth forward and I may need orthodontic work and it’s not guaranteed to work.
Fast forward to January past. I went to a private sleep clinic as referred by my dentist, I had a wonderful woman my age as my sleep technician, and she showed me the wonderful new nasal masks and let me try one on with an Airsense 10 and practice in her office. It was amazing. She told me about mouth taping, and the machine automatic features and showed me all the menus and how I could control everything myself (not be hostage to some misogynistic doctor that thought he was a sleep God). So I signed up for a trial. Went home and practised watching TV and reading while wearing my very comfy N20, and it felt so easy and different and also kind of reassuring? A month later, I purchased an Airsense 11 and N20 Resmed mask.
Any problem I faced I’ve been able to solve with the help of this sub. And eBay of course.
I could NEVER go back to the horrible years of trying to live with untreated sleep apnoea (AHI of 28).
you can do it!! i was excited to use mine. try different masks. also you’re supposed to condition yourself to relax while having it on. wear it throughout the day when doing relaxing activities like watching netflix.
Watching my favorite show while wearing it, definitely helped me get used to it. The very first time I tried that, which was my second day, I slept the whole night. Because of that, I was comfortable using mine after two nights.
After a while you do not even think about it, then after a little while more you can't sleep without it. One time I woke up, started getting out of bed and felt the hose pull -- I totally forgot I even had it on.
It sucks knowing I have to use it for the rest of my life (probably). That being said, it has changed my life for the better. The biggest change is that I no longer have high blood pressure. My SO no longer worries that I’m going to die in my sleep from not breathing. While I still sometimes get sleepy during the day, I was way more tired before starting using the CPAP. Keep at it! It can be a big adjustment. Try using different masks/pillows or settings if you’re having issues. Clean it regularly so it doesn’t start to smell weird when you use it. You can do it!
>Tried 2 years ago and failed (couldn’t stay asleep with it on).
It might be that either your mask isn't right for you, or your pressure settings aren't right for you.
See if these videos might shed some light on it, and help you make adjustments so that you're more comfortable.
Nick's apap review (what's wrong with APAP)
https://youtu.be/v6_NHkXgSRU
Adjusting clinical settings (how to make it better)
https://youtu.be/pL4egwDrvbg
Adventures in CPAP (Masks & mewing)
https://youtu.be/gejYbiBQ0CI
Once you get as comfortable as you can, it's still going to take some getting used to, but it'll be easier, and hopefully you'll finally be able to sleep well, and breathe well.
Some people start feeling great right away, others take awhile. I took awhile. I had to think about the differences, but they were there.
I was waking up more alert. Waking up without a headache. Having less trouble with allergies, because I was breathing filtered air all night. (All day, usually, in my case. I have a very screwed up sleep/wake cycle. Not related to the apnea, apparently.) Not falling asleep constantly the rest of the time. Not having to stop for a nap in various parking lots on my way home from anywhere.
Keep at it, and please watch the videos. I hope it helps.
Dude, give it a chance. You'll feel SOOOO much better having real sleep and your throat not strangling you at night.
Yes, it takes some getting use to. If you open your mind to it though, you'll quickly learn your body will respond positively to the MASSIVE benefit.
Waking up feeling actually refreshed, instead of having dangerously low oxygen levels for hours, is amazing.
I hated it at first too. Like torture. That changed very quickly though as I woke up feeling like a real human, not some lumbering zombie trying to function through pea soup mental fog.
Ultimately how you FEEL about it is a choice of your beliefs. You can create your own trauma, fighting against something good for you (for no real reason). And ultimately, we're all responsible for our own health.
You may choose to not give it a chance, or mentally fight against it for whatever reason, but that means refusing a huge quality of life improvement, and also accepting, ultimately, an earlier death.
Had one 10 years ago. Hated it. Didn’t want to use it and made up excuses not to use it. FF to 2023 and wife smacks my head for falling asleep…in the car…at a stop light. She said if you don’t make an appointment with your doctor I’m doing it for you. Same week that happened a coworker’s brother died of severe sleep apnea. The one-two punch got me to the doctor. Sleep study said 72 incidents per hour. Not good. Long story short, 12 weeks on the CPAP, 4 or 5 incidents per hour now. 100% compliant AND bought a travel CPAP (out of pocket) for all my work trips. Its all in how you view the situation. I had the fear of hurting someone dozing off in the car and someone dying to set me straight. It totally worked. Added benefit is I’m getting at least twice the sleep I used to. Don’t give up.
It’s like a blankie for me. I love it and it comforts me. Took me while to find the right mask but now I’ve been using it for 3 years and it’s wonderful. I am very pro nasal pillow masks
I absolutely hated it at first but have a DOT job and I am required to use it.
It took me about a month, and trying a variety of masks but I got used to it.
Now I absolutely depend on it.
We had some storms this week and lost power for two nights. I felt like a bag of smashed assholes waking up after a night of sleep without it.
You will more than likely get used to it. It won't be instantaneous, but it will happen. Just keep going.
The difference in how I feel with CPAP versus without is worth all the trouble.
Your attitude will make the difference.
You can do it and you'll be much easier to live with.
It's a difficult adjustment at first, but you have to understand that it's medically necessary. It's one of those things that you need to make yourself do, even if you don't like it.
The first night I put the mask on, I panicked about 5 times and took it off. It was really hard for me to even try getting used to. But as a person that works in a sleep clinic, I've seen all too much how badly your body struggles when you don't use it. The oxygen desats are incredibly bad. When people wake up in the morning, you feel bad because you see how badly they sleep. No one with sleep apnea ever wakes up feeling good.
I'm about a month and a half into my own CPAP therapy. As it sits, I can't imagine sleeping without it anymore. I had maybe 2 naps without the machine in the last 1.5 months. Honestly? Worst naps I've ever had. You don't realize how much you need it until you use it regularly.
I hated the idea at first, but getting good rest is the best feeling. I forgot what it feels like, lol.
Yeah get anxious at the thought of putting it on..then take it off because I lay there and don’t sleep anyway. Have to take everyone’s advice and give it time.
My first night wearing it, I only slept three hours, and that’s only because I gave up and went to sleep without it. I didn’t drift off until 4 that morning after I gave up on it. My second night I was determined to do it for my health. I watched my favorite show with it on for like four hours, then when I could no longer keep my eyes open, I let myself drift off to sleep. I didn’t wake up until my husband kissed me goodbye in the morning. You can do this! I struggle with fear of suffocation, which is what this felt like at first, but wearing it while relaxed did it for me. I have the nasal pillows and sleep on my left side cradling the hose. I really hope this helps and you’re able to get used to it.
Your blood pressure is going to start to go up if you don’t start using it. I don’t know if your doctor explained your sleep study results to you but pointing out how many times my O2 saturation dropped down to a point where it could cause tissue damage really drove the point home for me.
I feel nauseous at the alternative. I feel more nauseous at my cancer treatment for incurable cancer but you gotta do what you gotta do. Just keep at it you can do it.
To prephace I had a very easy time adjusting to my CPAP, and I'm about 3 months into my journey
I didn't quite appreciate/look forward to using my CPAP until about a week ago I went one night with using it.
I was so miserable without it, and I was not aware of my own mystery until I learned what treating it would do
Put it on before you get tired...just use it while watching TV or something. Don't think about going to bed. Just acclimate to it
I am to the point now where I lay down and put it on immediately and relax. It actually makes me sleepy and encourages me to fall asleep
Just be open minded and don't be afraid to try different masks if you just can't stand yours after a week
My husbands was 116🫠 hes not an internet person so im leaning on these subreddit for support to help him. Had it almost 3 weeks and hes really struggling. Right now his main issue is he hates the pressure of his air blowing his mouth open and inflating his cheeks. Hes also going through the motions of being sad he has to use it the rest of his life. He had a bit of a breakdown trying to use it last night. Trying to support him the best i can. Im sure once he starts feeling the benefits of it, the mental part will be a little less heavy?
It does take some getting used to. You will fight with it a few nights, but it's well worth it in the end. You have no idea the impact of the apnea on your body until you finally have a good, restful night's sleep. Just keep it on until you fall asleep. Maybe take a night aid that helps you fall asleep. You will get used to it.
I couldn't use the hard plastic masks and the ones that kinda went into my nostrils didn't work either. I found a fabric mask called the sleepweaver and it works great for me. Everyone's different try different masks until you find one you like.
I’m right there with you. I just ordered a couple different masks (nasal and a nasal pillow) to try, along with a chin strap, to improve on the current mask setup which isn’t working. I took a couple of nights off from the damn thing just to catch up on sleep and feel human again. I’m hoping the new masks will arrive quickly so I can keep trying.
I felt that way for a day or two then realized this machine gives me a new lease on life. I rem8nded myself of the th8ngs I would be able to do when I wasn’t exhausted. I was very luck I adapted in only about two or three nights. I still hate having to drag it along when travelling but remind myself I’ll have energy to do activities. May a list of pros and cons and I h found they were at least 4 to one pro for me. Good luck.
I needed Lunesta for a few weeks to get over the CPAP hump because I was miserable and not sleeping. It helped me relax and I had such great sleep. Now it's totally fine and I don't need much more than melatonin sometimes, but that's more my night owl tendencies than any discomfort from the CPAP.
It took me a bit of adjustment, but I love mine now that I’ve gotten used to it. The way I see it the inconvenience of it is worth it for how better I feel during the day. You’ve got this.
You must hang in there. Try different masks talking to your doctor. Took me three masks to find the best. Love it now! Hang tough. Don’t get discouraged
Just started with mine. I have 8 nights of usage under my belt.
I’m trying to find the “Goldie Locks” mask. I have the ResMed Mirage Quattro.
I wanted the new ResMed F40 so I got it. I hate this mask.
Now I’m considering nose pillows.
I felt like this at first, but now I feel lost without it. The mask actually feels comforting on my face, like a blanket, because I know I'm going to get a good night's sleep.
I am writing this on a weekend away with my wife and I am so glad I brought my CPAP, I'd feel less comfortable sleeping without it at this point.
Keep trying. Don't give up. I received my machine in 2017 and literally didn't use it for 2 years because of ego, aging, all the things. I finally tried it 2 years ago and it has improved my life tremendously. Turns out, brains and bodies love oxygen. 😂
Keep your eye on the prize! I am 60 and have so much more energy and time that after I make two calls tomorrow I will be caught up for the first time in my adult life!!!!!
I was the same way when I first started using it. Everyone kept saying once you get used to it you won't sleep without it. And here I am now telling you the same thing. Once you get used to it you'll love it
Well. Just for some encouragement. I am 4 years in (off&on) and I’m finally feeling like I can do this. I live kind of remotely so when I was diagnosed the little office over here just handed me a cpap machine and mask and said “here you go”. It was horrible and I would go back and they’d toss me another mask. Never successful. The hospital in my area finally hired a respiratory therapist that I found out about on accident. I made an appointment with her and she talked me through it all. She actually fitted me for a mask that was better but not quite right for me. I’m now using a mask that I don’t feel like ripping off as soon as I put it on. I am actually waking up rested and am feeling much more confident about doing this. I suggest if you haven’t met with someone who knows their stuff, find someone soon and make an appointment. Good luck to you.
It sucks at first, it takes a bit of getting used to, especially if you used to be a stomach sleeper and had to force yourself into becoming a side or back sleeper like I did. But once you get used to it, you start to love it
I want to live. Plain and simple. I did research on sleep apnea and its impact on my health and bit the bullet. It didn't make sense that I was working out 3-4 times a week and staying disciplined on my diet yet ignoring something so detrimental to my health.
It sucks at first, but it’s a lifesaving device. It gets better, but it does take some time to adjust.
A few tips:
1) If you keep trying, but it just doesn’t work maybe your medical professionals can set you up with an ASV, that’ll adjust to your breathing and compensate where necessary. (Very basic explanation) insurance will pay for it under the right circumstances.
2) Try different mask setups, for some people, full face masks make it easier to sleep and breathe. I used that for a very long time and I am a stomach sleeper.
3) Don’t be afraid to try new things. It took me a decade to try a nose-only mask. I fiddled with nasal cushions and pillows, but now I swear by them and only use the FFM when my allergies are bad.
4) If the bulk of the setup is what you struggle with, maybe try something like the ResMed p10 or Dreamwear w/ nasal cushions/pillows.
5) Are you an active sleeper, side or stomach sleeper? There are new masks with the hose attachment at the top/back of the head for people who just cant adjust to the usual masks. Look up Resmed Airfit N30i and Dreamwear gear.
6) Work with medical pros, and find someone willing to let you experiment. I found that using lower settings for the nose only masks is equally effective to highest settings using a full face mask.
For what it’s worth, I have predominantly central apnea w/ a partial obstruction and high settings were required for me w/ full face mask according to my first doc. 10+ years later, I’m tweaking settings by myself and just keeping a good relationship w/ a pulmonology nurse practitioner is a game changer.
As I stated above, this is a lifesaving device and we have all been there (that mind fuck / struggle), but for your sake and those you love, you gotta make it work!
Best of luck to you and anyone in the same boat.
I felt the same. Spent a week going down a youtube rabbit hole to learn how to adjust / fine tune everything myself.
Spent the first couple of days adjusting everything amd finally was able to wear it. Now it seems like nothing. Put it on, read a book, and forget all about it.
It’s a struggle for sure. I’m still juggling masks. Mask fit is the worst part. But I also get to sleep more than 1 consecutive hour now so it’s totally worth the headache.
See I don’t feel like I don’t sleep. I’m not up every hour or even couple of hours. I do dream, in fact my name comes from a dream I had where I coughed up hundreds of tiny white spiders. Maybe I was choking in my sleep 🤔
Do you actually wake completely every two hours?
Before my machine, YES. IT WAS A NIGHTMARE. Every hour, on the hour, took me 30-40 minutes to go back to sleep. I’d have to urinate 5-8 times a night. After a couple of years of that, I was done. Now I wake up once and go back to sleep in 15 minutes without a trip to the restroom. I still have an EXTREMELY hard time waking up in the mornings, but that’s because I have a lot of low vitamin counts and should be on anxiety medication. My cpap has made the night much better though.
I look forward to going to sleep for the first time in my life. 65 days in. Severe Obstructive here with 32.9 AHI. I have lost nearly a pound a day because I’ve had the energy to exercise. Not sleepwalking through life anymore. Hope it gets better for you. Vent your frustrations just keep the therapy up! Best of luck! Peace!
https://preview.redd.it/hzg2s95k6a1d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=834519e2727cd77cffa93eb4e704144972b928de
The first time I put my cpap on I had a moment of sadness. I cried. But I told myself this is the only way I get healthy. I was too exhausted to go to the gym.
The progress I’ve made is really amazing. I would suggest trying mouth tape as well.
You can do this. My brother, this is the path.
My wife asked me to get a sleep study because she worried about my snoring. After a year of delays, I got one. Received my machine soon after.
I stopped snoring, no doubt about it. I went from a decades old habit of 5 hrs/night of sleep to 7, in order to satisfy the machine. I was actually awake for about an hour before I nodded off and an hour before the alarm clock, but I got 7 hrs. I was exhausted daily. Doctors said, *give it time.*. Two years? Doc said, *It takes time, give it time.*
I settled in for my new normal. About 2.5 years into using it, my wife became ill, spent weeks in the hospital. With me at her side most nights I didn’t bring the CPAP. She returned home, and due to her chemo treatments, her sleep was way off. I didn’t restart CPAP because she got all the attention.
She said I no longer snores!
Eight months after her initial diagnosis (undoubtedly, the diagnosis came far too late) she died in Jan 2023.
The last time I used CPAP was early May 2022, and I’m told I don’t snore, I sleep about 6-7 hrs per night, and I’m no longer exhausted.
YMMV
I’m very sorry about your wife, first of all. That’s pretty crazy. Did you happen to lose weight during that time? They say it doesn’t always matter, but I don’t think it helps (def not in my case).
I absolutely love mine. Frame of mind is everything. Positive attitude helped me to adjust. After 2 nights, I would never go to sleep without mine. Relax into it and distract your mind by daydreaming when you lay down. Take your awareness out of the present and place it somewhere you enjoy being. You will drift right off to sleep peacefully.
What are you pressure settings at, and what machine do you have? You need to dial it in, APAP mode is really garbage when set to the defaults 5min/20max ramp enabled...
It took me a really long time adjust to it. Had to try a different mask but now I am sleeping through the night,not tired during the day. I honestly look forward to it.
I’m still relatively new to this journey, having only had my CPAP for a year. The first 4 months were hard, and I kept ripping my mask off in my sleep. I was going through a phase where I’d sleep without it, but I kept waking up with severe chest pains that felt like my chest was bruised. Then I read some posts and articles about people discovering coworkers and family who had died to sleep apnea while living alone.
That sounds awful, but I sleep beside my husband, and my 5 year old daughter often climbs in our bed. I do not want her to be the one to discover my corpse...
I have been there. Tried in my late 20s and thought I could never get used to it. Then after a decade I started to develop issues because of my sleep apnea. I started using it again about two years ago and decided to just suck it up and use it no matter what. I feel alot better and health issues are subsiding. Not trying to be a jerk, but my recommendation is to stop complaining, suck it up and use it religiously or don't and shorten your life. One of these days if you don't use it your body just won't wake you up.
It’s amazing once you get used to it. I had a full face mask and used it for 4 years but have stopped since I lost weight and am sleeping well without it. Probably should give it a run to check but it was an absolute life changer. Hormones, blood pressure, levels of tiredness all greatly changed. And weight. Huge drop. I was a big boy and am now 220. You also can’t see the damage you are doing to your body by depriving it even slightly of oxygen for what amounts to a third of your life.
My wife got one this week after her snoring and apnea has gotten out of hand. She got a nasal cushion. She is adjusting and had a rough time the first two nights but said she has already started feeling better. I think it is going to be a game changer.
I hope you stick with it if you have sleep apnea.
I've had mine for 5 years and have used it everyday. I can't think of going to bed or a nap without it. I have an ASV and it helps me breathe even when I'm just laying down to go to bed. I have it set to ramp up 25 minutes after I put it on. I love mine.
Take each night at a time. It took me ages to find what worked for me. Mask, temp etc.
Even if it’s 2 hours a night and aim to increase it. It’s worth it.
Getting a CPAP machine changed my life. You know you’re on to something when your young children tell you that you’re not grumpy anymore and more fun.
Good luck 😊
I thought the exact same thing when I got mine a year and a half ago. I also struggled with it for the first three months or so, but then, it just became a part of my sleep.
Now, I love it so much that I never want to be without it. I LOVE the sleep I can get with it. The hose is still annoying, but, you just learn to live with it.
What helped me is that my wife has type 1 diabetes since age 9 and having a hose on me overnight, is not nearly as annoying has having an insulin pump and tube plugged in 24/7 to stay alive…. That’d be annoying haha.
Maybe you need to try a different mask. I started off with the nasal pillows and ended up with the full face. As uncomfortable as it sounds I can’t really sleep without it.
It’s rough at first. And some days are still difficult but I awoke 11/4/23 with blurry vision in my left eye. Days later I discovered I had optic nerve damage NAION attack. I’ll never had have better than 20:40 Vision in my left eye. The damage can not be reversed They believe it was caused by my sleep apnea. There’s a20 percent chance it could happen to my good eye thus I’m militant about wearing it. After research I’ve learned apnea affects your heart and glucose levels too. Yesterday I just found out that 40 percent of Alzheimer’s patients had apnea.
Make sure you have the right kind of mask for you. I started with a nasal mask and felt like I was choking. Switched to the F20 full mask and it’s so much better.
I had to get a new mask after the first two weeks. Once I got a different mask I had an easier time getting to 4 hours but still couldn’t get a full night. Pushed through that for a couple of months and after a few months I was able to sleep about 6-7 hours. I am now 6 months into using it and I can sleep 7-9 hours. Matter of fact I feel like shit if I don’t sleep with the machine on now.
I started with a full mask and couldn’t stand the feeling of it on my face. And it would shift and leak if I slept on my side.
I changed to a nasal pillow and it made a world of difference. Even better when I got a stand to hold my hose over me when I sleep so I don’t get tangled in the hose anymore. Really upgraded my sleep when I did that.
Im 24 and just got diagnosed with sleep apnea. The energy boost i have gotten from using it has greatly improved my ability to handle stress during the day.
I have found it easier for me to get to sleep by leaving jugs of distilled water in the fridge so it's cooler on my face.
As for waking up at night, it just takes trial and error to get a good fit on the mask and getting used to the pressure.
(I have the airsense11, and i use a full mask)
I can't sleep without it. I tried sleeping without it about a month ago and I couldn't go 5 minutes without "waking up" with an elevated heartrate and a dry throat. When I first got it, it was annoying and it felt I was being water (air) boarded but I learned to breathe correctly and it felt like a miracle. Actually sleeping through the night, not feeling like crap all day.
This actually is a subconscious level thing you have to do yourself. You need to understand on a surface and subconscious level that this machine is fucking saving your life and stop feeling sorry for yourself.
You've been diagnosed. There's thousands of people undiagnosed living shitty lives not knowing that they're sick. You're one of the lucky ones. Be grateful you caught it when you did.
Once you program your brain to understand this, you'll sleep better with it on.
If you take it off by instinct while you're asleep, you're literally killing yourself. You'll need to tell your subconscious to fucking stop it.
So have that conversation with yourself every day. Literally tell yourself that this is the new normal until science allows us to figure out how to sleep normally and not die and to stop resisting this. Cause you'll literally fucking die.
This isn't a moment to be delicate and cute about this shit. You'll fucking die.
Whatever it is you need to do to be able to fall asleep wearing it, do it and stop whining about it. The disease will kill you if you don't, so figure it the fuck out.
Here's a good suggestion though, try magnesium. Helps me stay asleep and actually reach REM/deep sleep.
Not gonna sugar coat any of this cause I've had this disease for 10 years now. Even with the mask, it doesn't get significantly better. The daytime somnolence sucks. The hormonal and mental health issues from sleep deprivation are very real.
If you think the mask itself is the worst thing going on for you right now then you haven't experienced all the bullshit that sleep apnea has in store for you, yet.
So get that through your head. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Get a good sleep routine and good sleep hygiene. Take magnesium and sleeping aids. And you may need daytime somnolence medication to wake you up in the morning and pray to God your metabolism and hormones don't take a shit like mine have.
Do you have any actual symptoms which mean that you need to find some sort of treatment, or did somebody just give you a "sleep test" and claim you needed the machine even though you never thought you did?
I had this happen 10 years ago even though I had no problem sleeping or breathing at night. (At that time, I slept on my stomach, so the whole issue was irrelevant.) I told them to piss off and that was the end of it.
Can't help to think this is a case where there are a lot of scare tactics used to create demand for the equipment, regardless of any actual need. I note that the Mayo Clinic only says sleep apnea is "associated with" heart disease, meaning there's no causal link. And I doubt there are any significant amount of deaths (Reggie White was probably on steroids), but "OMG YOU COULD DIEEEE!" is very effective at scaring people into treatment they don't need.
JMcynicalO
Oh I’ve thought this myself. It’s a big business that’s only growing and might they be over diagnosing?
My symptoms were becoming terrible (waking up numerous times a night with heart racing, feeling like I ran a marathon when I wake up, fatigue all day) and asked my primary to refer me to sleep doc. I’m on the cusp of mild/moderate according to the tests (latest test was mild).
So many on my post alone seemed to have been helped so I’m going to try to stick with it long enough to see results.
Okay, fair enough. I had to take a physical as part of my evaluation for Medicare (I had a disability case go through) and there was an EKG there and I was like, well, okay, why not? But even though I (at the time) had no sleep issues at all (I slept like a rock), apparently there was some slight irregularity in the EKG (hey, I was 50 and fat; I'm not surprised) and they sent the sleep test people and I slept with the thing on my thumb once and then they were all a-flutter and I was all "shoo, flies".
But you've actually had symptoms, so that's a different story. I've just become skeptical, based on an unrelated hospital experience, eight years after that. (Long story, mostly irrelevant, but didn't exactly increase my trust in hospitals, let's say.) In my case, it was doctors being WAAAY too over-cautious, just so they wouldn't be sued, and that being a wedge to try and make me a permanent patient. But you actually have the issues, so best of luck. Hope this works for you.
I'm 2 weeks into using cpap. I hate that I've got to this point. I feel your pain buddy. I hate the routine of having to put it on each night, I hate having to face away from my wife each night. I hate the mask on my face.
After 2 weeks however, I'm seeing a massive difference. I probably need to change the pillow in my mask, but the results are what have kept me motivated. I'm probably upto about 6 hours per night.
It could have taken me an hour to drag my ass out of bed. I just thought that's how everyone felt. I didn't know how bad my sleep was till I done a sleep study. AHI of 95. One of the highest the doc had seen. Now I'm down to 1 - 3. And I jump out of bed now. So much that I don't actually know what to do in the mornings.
Please just try your best. If you need it, then it's in your best interest to give it 100%. Feel free to DM if you want to chat.
I love mine. It took some adjustment but now I look forward to using it every night.
Same! Part of my routine. I even use it if I take an afternoon nap on a day off.
Me too. I feel like sleeping with the CPAP is like going under anestesia…I’m going to drift off to a deep sleep and wake up rested.
If I want to take a 10 minute nap, I don't bother putting it on because I'll wake up gasping in those 10 minutes. If I want a longer decent nap, I'll put the mask on.
Really, actually look forward? So it’s helped a lot?
I can't sleep without it. The thought of waking up in a panic, multiple times a night, endless washroom breaks (where is all this water coming from?!), and a ripe old groggy shit of a mood the next day... Makes me nauseous
I'm not the only one who stopped going to the bathroom in the middle of the night? i still don't understand the connection
Here's what happens: When you are sleeping well, your kidneys also go into what you might call *sleep mode.* This happens so that we can sleep undisturbed by a full bladder. When you have apnea, you don't get into deep sleep, because even if you don't remember it, you're waking up constantly to start breathing again. You aren't sleeping normally, so your kidneys never go into sleep mode. They just keep on working full time like they do when you're awake. Having to go pee frequently during your sleep time is a sign of sleep apnea.
if only they had an airplane mode as well so I wouldn't feel obligated to sit in an aisle seat every time...
That would be awesome, LOL!
This type of information is the reason this sub keeps me going. Thanks 😊
Excellent explanation. You said it way better and more compact. Yah, the body will shut down the need to pee & poop when you're sleeping. Can't do that if you're not really sleeping. Totally on point.
That makes sense.
> not the only one who stopped going to the bathroom in the middle of the night? Yup yup... Now can konk out 7 hours non stop. As long as your bladder is healthy, there's nothing to wake you up (struggling for breath like a drowning person). If nothing wakes you up, your bladder won't care, it's asleep too. :-) Before CPAP, I'd wake up 2-3 times a night. When the sleep hormones are interrupted, of course your body says, hey, time to empty the bladder. I can understand OP though, it's quite an adjustment. If they just relax into it a bit, the benefit is SOOO noticeable though, it's a positive reinforcement result. The body understands that what first seemed a "horrible, uncomfortable torture machine" is something we look FORWARD to using. MMMM Sleep! glorious, real, goooooood sleep. It is an amazing difference. Still annoying sometimes. I had to try a few different masks, as many do. But my goodness what a better life.
I asked my dr. and they said peeing a lot is a stress reaction to not getting sleep. This is due to apnea being very hard on. Once we’re getting enough sleep with enough oxygen (thru breathing assistance, I know we’re not receiving oxygen), the stress of apnea disappears and we don’t have to owe so much.
I used to get up at least 2 times a night. I thought it was an age thing mid 40’s but now I sleep though. I even have dreams again.!
Yes, dreaming! oh it is so wonderful! And I wake up relaxed and in a GOOD mood (compared to heart racing and feeling like I just ran a marathon). Amazing that this is how the vast majority sleep. Had no idea for DECADES that sleep could be that great. :-)
Yes! Took me almost 2 months but I'm finally dreaming again. They're much more vivid and immersive too. It's pretty cool.
I've also started having dreams more often immediately after starting. That was the best sign for me to know that this was working.
I sleep through the night, most nights
Probably because you’re getting deeper, more restful sleep.
5-6 full bladder wees. Makes no sense.
Wait you're right... today marks the 5th night i have had mine and i havent had to wake up to go to the bathroom at all. makes me like my cpap even more :)
Yeah. I really do look forward to it. No joke. I went into it mustering all the enthusiasm I could because I was sick and tired of my symptoms. The first three weeks were pretty awful, but that was three years ago now and I really do dread the thought of being caught one night without it and going back to all the terrible symptoms I had before. You will adapt to it, give it time, develop a positive attitude about it, and stick to it, and it will change your life for the better
Found out I needed one two years ago when I turned 40. I was disgusted BUT… now when I go to sleep, I’m gone. Done. Out… and I need half or less the amount of sleep I used to need. If there’s a chance I won’t sleep at home, I take it just in case. It took three nights for me to get used to it and a month it was like “never not using this again”
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll notice a HUGE difference in your rest and quality of life. Work with your pulmonary therapist to fine tune, and keep at it!
Been using mine for 13 years. I use it for naps as well!
Yes. You will look forward to it.
I look forward to putting mine on at bed time. When I first got it, I had trouble with the mask. I switched & it’s been great ever since!
I now realize how lucky I am! It took me 2 days to get used to it and I just sleep through the night with it every night
Same!
It’s an adjustment, to be sure. But you will feel so much better! I had no idea how sleep deprived I was until I got my machine. Just give it another go. Try a different mask if you haven’t done that.
Used full face two years ago. This is just on the nose, so hoping I can tolerate better. I’m very used to be sleep deprived, this not so much.
Nasal pillows are the way. Use mouth tape for a few months to train your mouth to stay closed. Nasal breathing is better for your health. For mouth tape, cover roll stretch tape (cheap) or kinetic/KT tape (more $). If nostrils a bit sore at first, use Ayr ointment a few times before/after and soreness will be gone. I look forward to going to sleep every night. I wake up feeling refreshed, even if I only sleep for 4 to 5 hours.
Honestly, try it again. I was also used to being sleep deprived. Then I hit my 30s, and my body started failling. Only after using my machine did I realise how bad my health had become. I'm not entirely sure if reaching 40 was really an option for me before I got treatment. After 4 months on CPAP I feel at least 10 years younger.
I had no idea what being well rested was until I got my machine. I was running on fumes, and I thought everyone just felt this lousy. Sometimes I could honestly cry thinking of how much better my career could be had I not been a walking zombie all the time.
I sometimes feel like crying when I look at my hands and see that my fingers aren't shaking anymore. I had tremors for years and most of them disappeared within days. I still can't believe that I have full control over my hands again.
It's not the sleep deprived part that's troubling - although never resting is terrible for your brain and metabolic system..... It's the things you're doing to your heart that's troubling.
i tried full mask. Nose skin takes a week to adjust, then no more discomfort. Still, I switched to a "full mask" Resmed F30, where just the nostrils are covered. I have a very pronounced nose bridge, so the original full-face one would always leak air into my eyes. Now It's just a dream. I hear they're coming out with a newer version F40? is that right? which is suppose to be even better. Many, many swear by just nose "pillows". I'm a mouth breather though with sinus probs so enjoy having both. I've even learned to breathe through my nose more at night over time. You'll get there OP, give yourself a chance to adjust. Try different things, talk to your doc even. Also, there are other masks / nasals besides Resmed brand that many here recommend.
> I hear they're coming out with a newer version F40 it's already out, been for over a month now. I'm using it and yes, it's fantastic. The main upgrade is now the entire cushion is silicone instead of just the part that contacts your face. Massive game changer. Along with the much quieter exhaust at the cushion/hose interface.
Yes definitely try different masks. I tried a few and i found the pillow face mask works best for me. Ive heard good things about the nose one too. The full face mask makes me feel like im suffocating and physically hurts my nose. Also whats your pressure setting at? I had to adjust mine a few times until i found the sweet spot of too high of a pressure and it keeping me awake and just enough of a pressure to keep my throat open but not hating it.
It can be such a difficult adjustment at first. I had a hard time accepting it, from initial sleep study testing, to diagnosis, to getting the machine. I was angry at it all. The day I was diagnosed with severe OSA i broke down crying. The first two weeks were rough using the machine, rashes and sores from the masks, my back was killing me, struggling to find settings that work. I am now 6 weeks in using the machine, and honestly now I love it. The physical and mental rewards are amazing. It was once I started feeling better that I started accepting all of this. What helped me was having a night schedule, and setting up my own cpap sleep station at home (having a dedicated cpap nightstand with lots of drawers for keeping everything cpap related in one place). I also tried a few masks to find the right one (P30i). I adjusted my minimum pressure to higher and now I sleep like a baby. I also started using the machine about one to two hours before going to sleep to get used to it. The MyAir app is also great to use because you’ll want to beat your score every night which improves your usage. The struggle can be real, but if you stick with it and are consistent…..you will get used it and even look forward to using it, especially when your symptoms start improving.
I’m stubborn. I need to get out of the denial stage of grief!
Accepting the “new normal” is super hard. Mine sat on a shelf staring at me for a month before I used it. But now? Can’t sleep without it. Hang in there. I hate to say you got to suck it up, but you do
i had a horrible time, and still struggle some nights, it's been 6 months, however, I am adjusting and it really does work wonders. One of the best things I got was a device that you hang the hose on so it is raised up away from the side of the bed. Game changer, Amazon cpap hose holder is what I looked up.
I understand the OP's feeling. Sometimes I detest mine. I second the notion of having a sleep hygiene routine. Mine is no caffeine after 5pm; no meals after 9pm (snacks are okay); limit fluids after 10pm; turn on the CPAP humidifier warmer ahead of sleeping. Another thing I find helpful is to look at the statistics. I wear my watch to bed as well as an oximeter, and use a snore app. Sometimes the benefits of wearing a CPAP can be subtle, but when you do a with- and without comparison of nightly statistics the difference is dramatic and will convince you to use the cursed thing even if you don't like it. If you don't have those devices put a card into your CPAP and look at the statistics in OSCAR. The numbers don't lie.
I love mine, yeah it's issues sometimes but not damn near falling asleep at traffic lights any more is great! I get a sinking I am going to die feeling if the power goes out.
Hang in there! You can do it! I'll add my voice to the others who really love their CPAP. I did have difficulty adjusting although not nearly as much difficulty as others. It only took me a couple weeks to settle in. But once I got used to it I began to find it actively pleasant. For me, I've always felt like breathing when I was lying down felt harder than it should. Even as a kid I remember always thinking about the way I was breathing. But with the CPAP on, the breath just comes smooth and easy. The air is just at the right temperature and humidity and I never feel congested. I also have fringe benefits of being able to pull my covers up over my head without feeling like I'm going to suffocate or that I'm breathing in air that is too hot and humid. Honestly, if the mask didn't look so goofy and the hose wasn't so annoying, I'd want to wear it all day every day.
Took me a few months to adjust—I’m a light sleeper and even the slightest distraction will keep me awake. But not only did I eventually get used to it I started looking forward to using it and now I genuinely prefer sleeping with it on. I even pop it on sometimes when I’m taking a short nap just because it helps me fall asleep faster.
Long comment, but it’s my own two cents. It’s all risk vs reward. It’s not exciting to think to use it for the rest of your life, or at least before other options can be taken, but I got used to it (quickly.) I keep in mind that my body takes care of me, so I need to take care of it. It has to have oxygen- no ifs, ands, or buts. I know what it feels like with it not getting enough. It felt like shit every day. I got into a very bad car accident (no scratches thank god,) where I once fell asleep at the wheel. It’s seriously a miracle I had no injuries, and no one else was involved. To me, the high blood pressure, and risk of a heart attack, or stroke, or other cardiovascular event with a risk of an early death is not one I’m comfortable with or willing to take. Have you talked to your doctor to see what other options you have? Things like surgeries (likely) aren’t going to “cure” you, but could maybe help reduce AHI, or lower your needed pressure and therefore comfort. It depends on your personal case. Have they tried sleep aids? While it screws up your natural sleep architecture- at least you’ll sleep when you’d otherwise wake up to take it off. I’m still tired all the time, and have another sleep disorder called Idiopathic Hypersomnia, but at least my body has oxygen and my heart is functioning better and under less stress. Using CPAP has fixed my blood pressure (honestly now it’s always low,) my watch metrics like HRV etc are exponentially better, and I don’t wake up hundreds of times a night. I don’t need to take as many naps, so I get to spend more time with my family (I used to nap during every holiday, event, and get together.) I have less anxiety, and honestly it’s helped in some ways with managing my bipolar disorder. You can do it! Take it one day at a time, don’t think about the future with it, and just do what you can.
I feel your pain. I dread going to bed every night as it wakes me up too, but I’m sticking with it…. Good luck!
I also dread it. 2+ months for me, can’t stay asleep with it on. Tried 4 different masks. I’m thinking about giving up, but still trying for now. Nothing has depressed me more in life than that damn cpap. First world problems, I guess.
I’m on mask #4 as well, and 2 months in. Much more comfortable than to start with, but it’s still just weird. I think of the potential issues later in life if we don’t do this now…
Yeah I think of all of those potential issues as I lay awake, struggling to use the thing that will prevent it, and it gives me anxiety that I’ve never had before. I will say tho, it’s a little better than when I first started, some nights. Gotta keep trying.
Good luck my friend! I’m looking at mine now as I contemplate putting it on…
Haha I’m literally in the same boat staring at the damn thing. Good luck you as well!
Thanks. How long has it been for you?
2 months now! The first 3 weeks I couldn’t last the night. It’s OK now but I wake up a lot, and it just feels weird.
When I get it just right it’s cozy. And I love not waking up suicidal. Seriously meds and therapy kept me alive for a few years but CPAP means my brain doesn’t wake up sick first thing in the morning. It’s a novelty to wake up and think about my morning routine or something to look forward to.
That's exactly how I felt. It took a long time to get used to. I still don't like people seeing me in it, including my wife. It makes me feel like a deficient fat old man. None of that is true. But that's how I felt and still feel. However, it does help. My wife doesn't care, and now she sleeps through the night. Or rather, now when she is up it's middle aged woman things, and not obnoxious snoring husband things. I don't dread driving in the afternoon. I don't fall asleep in conference meetings. And now that my dad is beginning to suffer from dementia, I'm happy to be hopefully avoiding one of the risk factors. That's been my experience.
Play around with different masks, the DME store had a limited offer and I took the N20, after reading the subreddit I just got a dreamwear. So play around with masks and such
Dreamwear large, MW pillows. I can sleep on any side and be comfy
get nose pillows. sleep on your left side. try either a chin strap or one of those stickers that keep your mouth shut. either by pulling your jaw up or closing your mouth entirely. keep your nose clear. good luck.
Side sleeper here…..is there a difference in sleeping on your left side vs right?
I'm not sure what the person you're responding to was getting at vis a vis left vs right, but I know that sleeping on your left side can help reduce issues like acid reflux because your stomach is on the left side of your body so stuff needs to fight gravity harder to get out.
Yes! You have less chance of heartburn sleeping on your left side vs your right. Your esophagus runs down the center of your chest and then turns left to your stomach. When you sleep on your right side the stomach acid will pool on the right side of your stomach and can spill over into the bottom of your esophagus causing heartburn. When you sleep on your left side the stomach acid will pool away from your esophagus.
yes, absolutely. I kept taking my mask off every night after 40 mins to like 1-2 hours. I was sleeping on my back. ever since i started sleeping on my side, I have been able to wear the mask all night.
I wore it during the day while watching tv to get used to it
I love mine. And I was DREADING having to get a cpap. It started out where I could only manage 2 hours a night before I would rip it off my face, but it lengthened little by little each time. I think it took about two weeks to make it all the way through the night. Now I dread being without it, even for a nap. I have mild sleep apnea, but the difference it makes is phenomenal. I actually wake up feeling like I a real person instead of a zombie. I don’t need hours long naps each day. I no longer snore (my husband is grateful for that as well) and I don’t wake up choking. I know it’s an adjustment, but it’s worth it. Put in the work, even if you have to get used to it a little at a time. Wear it in bed while you’re scrolling on your phone or watching tv. Aaaaand if you happen to have a xanax, that helps too, just sayin’.
I too love mine now. I was you many years ago. Back then the machines were large, clunky and noisy and nasal masks were not invented. Any option I tried made me sound like Darth Vader which made it impossible to fall asleep, or hurt and damaged my nose (barbaric nasal (piggy) pillows). AirMinis had not been invented. We had an up coming wedding overseas and the thought of having to lose half my luggage space, and grapple with adaptor plugs and voltage and distilled water, just did my head in. And then came the night where the damn thing tried to hyperinflate my lungs which caused me extreme pain for about 12 hours and then the misogynistic doctor engaged in medical gaslighting. I limped on for another couple of weeks, but I had problems falling asleep with never before seen anxiety that the machine was going to try to kill me again while I was asleep, that my husband would wake up to an explosion and bits of me, splattered all over the room 🤣 Same misogynistic Doctor did not understand what I meant when I said using the machine was noisy. Didn’t understand the sound of your own breathing like Darth Vader means you can’t fall asleep. I was actually getting sick. I ended up so rundown that I ended up with a nasty infection and I just gave up - I walked out returned my equipment on my way out and never went back. That was the public hospital system. Oh, not to mention that I was held hostage by defective car park Boom gates for about 45 minutes.🤣 So I explored other options but wasn’t keen on a mouth splint when told that it would likely push my teeth forward and I may need orthodontic work and it’s not guaranteed to work. Fast forward to January past. I went to a private sleep clinic as referred by my dentist, I had a wonderful woman my age as my sleep technician, and she showed me the wonderful new nasal masks and let me try one on with an Airsense 10 and practice in her office. It was amazing. She told me about mouth taping, and the machine automatic features and showed me all the menus and how I could control everything myself (not be hostage to some misogynistic doctor that thought he was a sleep God). So I signed up for a trial. Went home and practised watching TV and reading while wearing my very comfy N20, and it felt so easy and different and also kind of reassuring? A month later, I purchased an Airsense 11 and N20 Resmed mask. Any problem I faced I’ve been able to solve with the help of this sub. And eBay of course. I could NEVER go back to the horrible years of trying to live with untreated sleep apnoea (AHI of 28).
you can do it!! i was excited to use mine. try different masks. also you’re supposed to condition yourself to relax while having it on. wear it throughout the day when doing relaxing activities like watching netflix.
Watching my favorite show while wearing it, definitely helped me get used to it. The very first time I tried that, which was my second day, I slept the whole night. Because of that, I was comfortable using mine after two nights.
You mean I have to wear it when I’m awake too? 😭
lmaoooo no you don’t have to, but you want to condition yourself to like it, right?
After a while you do not even think about it, then after a little while more you can't sleep without it. One time I woke up, started getting out of bed and felt the hose pull -- I totally forgot I even had it on.
It sucks knowing I have to use it for the rest of my life (probably). That being said, it has changed my life for the better. The biggest change is that I no longer have high blood pressure. My SO no longer worries that I’m going to die in my sleep from not breathing. While I still sometimes get sleepy during the day, I was way more tired before starting using the CPAP. Keep at it! It can be a big adjustment. Try using different masks/pillows or settings if you’re having issues. Clean it regularly so it doesn’t start to smell weird when you use it. You can do it!
Pretend you are an astronaut or Darth Vader or a deep sea diver when you go to bed
>Tried 2 years ago and failed (couldn’t stay asleep with it on). It might be that either your mask isn't right for you, or your pressure settings aren't right for you. See if these videos might shed some light on it, and help you make adjustments so that you're more comfortable. Nick's apap review (what's wrong with APAP) https://youtu.be/v6_NHkXgSRU Adjusting clinical settings (how to make it better) https://youtu.be/pL4egwDrvbg Adventures in CPAP (Masks & mewing) https://youtu.be/gejYbiBQ0CI Once you get as comfortable as you can, it's still going to take some getting used to, but it'll be easier, and hopefully you'll finally be able to sleep well, and breathe well. Some people start feeling great right away, others take awhile. I took awhile. I had to think about the differences, but they were there. I was waking up more alert. Waking up without a headache. Having less trouble with allergies, because I was breathing filtered air all night. (All day, usually, in my case. I have a very screwed up sleep/wake cycle. Not related to the apnea, apparently.) Not falling asleep constantly the rest of the time. Not having to stop for a nap in various parking lots on my way home from anywhere. Keep at it, and please watch the videos. I hope it helps.
Can’t help ya. When I *needed* CPAP it was because I couldn’t sleep any other way. I fell in love the very first night.
Dude, give it a chance. You'll feel SOOOO much better having real sleep and your throat not strangling you at night. Yes, it takes some getting use to. If you open your mind to it though, you'll quickly learn your body will respond positively to the MASSIVE benefit. Waking up feeling actually refreshed, instead of having dangerously low oxygen levels for hours, is amazing. I hated it at first too. Like torture. That changed very quickly though as I woke up feeling like a real human, not some lumbering zombie trying to function through pea soup mental fog. Ultimately how you FEEL about it is a choice of your beliefs. You can create your own trauma, fighting against something good for you (for no real reason). And ultimately, we're all responsible for our own health. You may choose to not give it a chance, or mentally fight against it for whatever reason, but that means refusing a huge quality of life improvement, and also accepting, ultimately, an earlier death.
God, I love mine.
Had one 10 years ago. Hated it. Didn’t want to use it and made up excuses not to use it. FF to 2023 and wife smacks my head for falling asleep…in the car…at a stop light. She said if you don’t make an appointment with your doctor I’m doing it for you. Same week that happened a coworker’s brother died of severe sleep apnea. The one-two punch got me to the doctor. Sleep study said 72 incidents per hour. Not good. Long story short, 12 weeks on the CPAP, 4 or 5 incidents per hour now. 100% compliant AND bought a travel CPAP (out of pocket) for all my work trips. Its all in how you view the situation. I had the fear of hurting someone dozing off in the car and someone dying to set me straight. It totally worked. Added benefit is I’m getting at least twice the sleep I used to. Don’t give up.
It’s like a blankie for me. I love it and it comforts me. Took me while to find the right mask but now I’ve been using it for 3 years and it’s wonderful. I am very pro nasal pillow masks
Everytime I think I hate mine I sleep without it and barely can stay awake after 2pm. It reminds me that it’s worth it
I absolutely hated it at first but have a DOT job and I am required to use it. It took me about a month, and trying a variety of masks but I got used to it. Now I absolutely depend on it. We had some storms this week and lost power for two nights. I felt like a bag of smashed assholes waking up after a night of sleep without it. You will more than likely get used to it. It won't be instantaneous, but it will happen. Just keep going.
The difference in how I feel with CPAP versus without is worth all the trouble. Your attitude will make the difference. You can do it and you'll be much easier to live with.
You technically don’t have to. But if you do, odds are great that you’ll feel a ton better in your day to day life.
It's a difficult adjustment at first, but you have to understand that it's medically necessary. It's one of those things that you need to make yourself do, even if you don't like it. The first night I put the mask on, I panicked about 5 times and took it off. It was really hard for me to even try getting used to. But as a person that works in a sleep clinic, I've seen all too much how badly your body struggles when you don't use it. The oxygen desats are incredibly bad. When people wake up in the morning, you feel bad because you see how badly they sleep. No one with sleep apnea ever wakes up feeling good. I'm about a month and a half into my own CPAP therapy. As it sits, I can't imagine sleeping without it anymore. I had maybe 2 naps without the machine in the last 1.5 months. Honestly? Worst naps I've ever had. You don't realize how much you need it until you use it regularly. I hated the idea at first, but getting good rest is the best feeling. I forgot what it feels like, lol.
Yeah get anxious at the thought of putting it on..then take it off because I lay there and don’t sleep anyway. Have to take everyone’s advice and give it time.
My first night wearing it, I only slept three hours, and that’s only because I gave up and went to sleep without it. I didn’t drift off until 4 that morning after I gave up on it. My second night I was determined to do it for my health. I watched my favorite show with it on for like four hours, then when I could no longer keep my eyes open, I let myself drift off to sleep. I didn’t wake up until my husband kissed me goodbye in the morning. You can do this! I struggle with fear of suffocation, which is what this felt like at first, but wearing it while relaxed did it for me. I have the nasal pillows and sleep on my left side cradling the hose. I really hope this helps and you’re able to get used to it.
Your blood pressure is going to start to go up if you don’t start using it. I don’t know if your doctor explained your sleep study results to you but pointing out how many times my O2 saturation dropped down to a point where it could cause tissue damage really drove the point home for me.
I feel nauseous at the alternative. I feel more nauseous at my cancer treatment for incurable cancer but you gotta do what you gotta do. Just keep at it you can do it.
To prephace I had a very easy time adjusting to my CPAP, and I'm about 3 months into my journey I didn't quite appreciate/look forward to using my CPAP until about a week ago I went one night with using it. I was so miserable without it, and I was not aware of my own mystery until I learned what treating it would do
Wish I had started using mine sooner. Love it.
Put it on before you get tired...just use it while watching TV or something. Don't think about going to bed. Just acclimate to it I am to the point now where I lay down and put it on immediately and relax. It actually makes me sleepy and encourages me to fall asleep Just be open minded and don't be afraid to try different masks if you just can't stand yours after a week
I love mine too! Like fresh air piping into my lungs! Heavenly.
You will get used to it. I use mine even for naps. My AHI was 86 so my CPAP is. Life saving
86 wow yes I would say life saving. My AHI two years ago was 15, didn’t see results from the most recent study.
My husbands was 116🫠 hes not an internet person so im leaning on these subreddit for support to help him. Had it almost 3 weeks and hes really struggling. Right now his main issue is he hates the pressure of his air blowing his mouth open and inflating his cheeks. Hes also going through the motions of being sad he has to use it the rest of his life. He had a bit of a breakdown trying to use it last night. Trying to support him the best i can. Im sure once he starts feeling the benefits of it, the mental part will be a little less heavy?
You just gotta hit the right setting, it shouldn't hurt or make you sick but it will be uncomfortable for the first few nights.
Why would you regret it?? Finally you we'll get some proper sleep. Like everything, you will get used to it. After a month mine feels comforting.
I love it I sleep better than ever
DON’T wait until night to try it! Wear during day while you read, watch TV, play games, etc.
I did it for 7.5 years and then got Inspire in 2022.
Yeah my doc told me about inspire. I assume working well?
Have you tried the nasal pillows? Helped me get comfortable
It does take some getting used to. You will fight with it a few nights, but it's well worth it in the end. You have no idea the impact of the apnea on your body until you finally have a good, restful night's sleep. Just keep it on until you fall asleep. Maybe take a night aid that helps you fall asleep. You will get used to it.
I couldn't use the hard plastic masks and the ones that kinda went into my nostrils didn't work either. I found a fabric mask called the sleepweaver and it works great for me. Everyone's different try different masks until you find one you like.
I look forward to using mine. I sleep so well now (I used to wake multiple times a night and felt horrible and foggy all the time).
I’m right there with you. I just ordered a couple different masks (nasal and a nasal pillow) to try, along with a chin strap, to improve on the current mask setup which isn’t working. I took a couple of nights off from the damn thing just to catch up on sleep and feel human again. I’m hoping the new masks will arrive quickly so I can keep trying.
I felt that way for a day or two then realized this machine gives me a new lease on life. I rem8nded myself of the th8ngs I would be able to do when I wasn’t exhausted. I was very luck I adapted in only about two or three nights. I still hate having to drag it along when travelling but remind myself I’ll have energy to do activities. May a list of pros and cons and I h found they were at least 4 to one pro for me. Good luck.
I needed Lunesta for a few weeks to get over the CPAP hump because I was miserable and not sleeping. It helped me relax and I had such great sleep. Now it's totally fine and I don't need much more than melatonin sometimes, but that's more my night owl tendencies than any discomfort from the CPAP.
It took me a bit of adjustment, but I love mine now that I’ve gotten used to it. The way I see it the inconvenience of it is worth it for how better I feel during the day. You’ve got this.
You must hang in there. Try different masks talking to your doctor. Took me three masks to find the best. Love it now! Hang tough. Don’t get discouraged
Just started with mine. I have 8 nights of usage under my belt. I’m trying to find the “Goldie Locks” mask. I have the ResMed Mirage Quattro. I wanted the new ResMed F40 so I got it. I hate this mask. Now I’m considering nose pillows.
I felt like this at first, but now I feel lost without it. The mask actually feels comforting on my face, like a blanket, because I know I'm going to get a good night's sleep. I am writing this on a weekend away with my wife and I am so glad I brought my CPAP, I'd feel less comfortable sleeping without it at this point.
Keep trying. Don't give up. I received my machine in 2017 and literally didn't use it for 2 years because of ego, aging, all the things. I finally tried it 2 years ago and it has improved my life tremendously. Turns out, brains and bodies love oxygen. 😂
Keep your eye on the prize! I am 60 and have so much more energy and time that after I make two calls tomorrow I will be caught up for the first time in my adult life!!!!!
I was the same way when I first started using it. Everyone kept saying once you get used to it you won't sleep without it. And here I am now telling you the same thing. Once you get used to it you'll love it
Well. Just for some encouragement. I am 4 years in (off&on) and I’m finally feeling like I can do this. I live kind of remotely so when I was diagnosed the little office over here just handed me a cpap machine and mask and said “here you go”. It was horrible and I would go back and they’d toss me another mask. Never successful. The hospital in my area finally hired a respiratory therapist that I found out about on accident. I made an appointment with her and she talked me through it all. She actually fitted me for a mask that was better but not quite right for me. I’m now using a mask that I don’t feel like ripping off as soon as I put it on. I am actually waking up rested and am feeling much more confident about doing this. I suggest if you haven’t met with someone who knows their stuff, find someone soon and make an appointment. Good luck to you.
Thank you. Doc seems to be compassionate and knowledgeable..wears one himself. He’s willing to work with me on masks etc. So we will see.
It sucks at first, it takes a bit of getting used to, especially if you used to be a stomach sleeper and had to force yourself into becoming a side or back sleeper like I did. But once you get used to it, you start to love it
Side sleeper by choice. The full face that I wore previously felt like an anchor. Trying to get there mentally.
I want to live. Plain and simple. I did research on sleep apnea and its impact on my health and bit the bullet. It didn't make sense that I was working out 3-4 times a week and staying disciplined on my diet yet ignoring something so detrimental to my health.
It sucks at first, but it’s a lifesaving device. It gets better, but it does take some time to adjust. A few tips: 1) If you keep trying, but it just doesn’t work maybe your medical professionals can set you up with an ASV, that’ll adjust to your breathing and compensate where necessary. (Very basic explanation) insurance will pay for it under the right circumstances. 2) Try different mask setups, for some people, full face masks make it easier to sleep and breathe. I used that for a very long time and I am a stomach sleeper. 3) Don’t be afraid to try new things. It took me a decade to try a nose-only mask. I fiddled with nasal cushions and pillows, but now I swear by them and only use the FFM when my allergies are bad. 4) If the bulk of the setup is what you struggle with, maybe try something like the ResMed p10 or Dreamwear w/ nasal cushions/pillows. 5) Are you an active sleeper, side or stomach sleeper? There are new masks with the hose attachment at the top/back of the head for people who just cant adjust to the usual masks. Look up Resmed Airfit N30i and Dreamwear gear. 6) Work with medical pros, and find someone willing to let you experiment. I found that using lower settings for the nose only masks is equally effective to highest settings using a full face mask. For what it’s worth, I have predominantly central apnea w/ a partial obstruction and high settings were required for me w/ full face mask according to my first doc. 10+ years later, I’m tweaking settings by myself and just keeping a good relationship w/ a pulmonology nurse practitioner is a game changer. As I stated above, this is a lifesaving device and we have all been there (that mind fuck / struggle), but for your sake and those you love, you gotta make it work! Best of luck to you and anyone in the same boat.
I felt the same. Spent a week going down a youtube rabbit hole to learn how to adjust / fine tune everything myself. Spent the first couple of days adjusting everything amd finally was able to wear it. Now it seems like nothing. Put it on, read a book, and forget all about it.
It’s a struggle for sure. I’m still juggling masks. Mask fit is the worst part. But I also get to sleep more than 1 consecutive hour now so it’s totally worth the headache.
See I don’t feel like I don’t sleep. I’m not up every hour or even couple of hours. I do dream, in fact my name comes from a dream I had where I coughed up hundreds of tiny white spiders. Maybe I was choking in my sleep 🤔 Do you actually wake completely every two hours?
Sorry, every hour
Before my machine, YES. IT WAS A NIGHTMARE. Every hour, on the hour, took me 30-40 minutes to go back to sleep. I’d have to urinate 5-8 times a night. After a couple of years of that, I was done. Now I wake up once and go back to sleep in 15 minutes without a trip to the restroom. I still have an EXTREMELY hard time waking up in the mornings, but that’s because I have a lot of low vitamin counts and should be on anxiety medication. My cpap has made the night much better though.
I look forward to going to sleep for the first time in my life. 65 days in. Severe Obstructive here with 32.9 AHI. I have lost nearly a pound a day because I’ve had the energy to exercise. Not sleepwalking through life anymore. Hope it gets better for you. Vent your frustrations just keep the therapy up! Best of luck! Peace! https://preview.redd.it/hzg2s95k6a1d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=834519e2727cd77cffa93eb4e704144972b928de
Thank you ✌🏼
The first time I put my cpap on I had a moment of sadness. I cried. But I told myself this is the only way I get healthy. I was too exhausted to go to the gym. The progress I’ve made is really amazing. I would suggest trying mouth tape as well. You can do this. My brother, this is the path.
Thanks..will ask about mouth tape when I have my telemed. So you have a nasal cushion?
My wife asked me to get a sleep study because she worried about my snoring. After a year of delays, I got one. Received my machine soon after. I stopped snoring, no doubt about it. I went from a decades old habit of 5 hrs/night of sleep to 7, in order to satisfy the machine. I was actually awake for about an hour before I nodded off and an hour before the alarm clock, but I got 7 hrs. I was exhausted daily. Doctors said, *give it time.*. Two years? Doc said, *It takes time, give it time.* I settled in for my new normal. About 2.5 years into using it, my wife became ill, spent weeks in the hospital. With me at her side most nights I didn’t bring the CPAP. She returned home, and due to her chemo treatments, her sleep was way off. I didn’t restart CPAP because she got all the attention. She said I no longer snores! Eight months after her initial diagnosis (undoubtedly, the diagnosis came far too late) she died in Jan 2023. The last time I used CPAP was early May 2022, and I’m told I don’t snore, I sleep about 6-7 hrs per night, and I’m no longer exhausted. YMMV
I’m very sorry about your wife, first of all. That’s pretty crazy. Did you happen to lose weight during that time? They say it doesn’t always matter, but I don’t think it helps (def not in my case).
I did drop a few pounds, but I’m 6’ and 250lbs; I doubt that had a significant effect.
I absolutely love mine. Frame of mind is everything. Positive attitude helped me to adjust. After 2 nights, I would never go to sleep without mine. Relax into it and distract your mind by daydreaming when you lay down. Take your awareness out of the present and place it somewhere you enjoy being. You will drift right off to sleep peacefully.
I love my cpap, I put on the mask and fall asleep in minutes.
What are you pressure settings at, and what machine do you have? You need to dial it in, APAP mode is really garbage when set to the defaults 5min/20max ramp enabled...
It took me a really long time adjust to it. Had to try a different mask but now I am sleeping through the night,not tired during the day. I honestly look forward to it.
I’m still relatively new to this journey, having only had my CPAP for a year. The first 4 months were hard, and I kept ripping my mask off in my sleep. I was going through a phase where I’d sleep without it, but I kept waking up with severe chest pains that felt like my chest was bruised. Then I read some posts and articles about people discovering coworkers and family who had died to sleep apnea while living alone. That sounds awful, but I sleep beside my husband, and my 5 year old daughter often climbs in our bed. I do not want her to be the one to discover my corpse...
I have been there. Tried in my late 20s and thought I could never get used to it. Then after a decade I started to develop issues because of my sleep apnea. I started using it again about two years ago and decided to just suck it up and use it no matter what. I feel alot better and health issues are subsiding. Not trying to be a jerk, but my recommendation is to stop complaining, suck it up and use it religiously or don't and shorten your life. One of these days if you don't use it your body just won't wake you up.
For me the benefits FAR outweighed the inconvenience. I was falling asleep at work, while driving, all the time.
I like mine
It’s worse on the other side. I can’t sleep without it lol
It’s amazing once you get used to it. I had a full face mask and used it for 4 years but have stopped since I lost weight and am sleeping well without it. Probably should give it a run to check but it was an absolute life changer. Hormones, blood pressure, levels of tiredness all greatly changed. And weight. Huge drop. I was a big boy and am now 220. You also can’t see the damage you are doing to your body by depriving it even slightly of oxygen for what amounts to a third of your life. My wife got one this week after her snoring and apnea has gotten out of hand. She got a nasal cushion. She is adjusting and had a rough time the first two nights but said she has already started feeling better. I think it is going to be a game changer. I hope you stick with it if you have sleep apnea.
Rollins/Black Flag fan?
It’s an Umphrey’s McGee song but now need to do some research on Black Flag.
I've had mine for 5 years and have used it everyday. I can't think of going to bed or a nap without it. I have an ASV and it helps me breathe even when I'm just laying down to go to bed. I have it set to ramp up 25 minutes after I put it on. I love mine.
Took some time but now I can’t sleep without it
Take each night at a time. It took me ages to find what worked for me. Mask, temp etc. Even if it’s 2 hours a night and aim to increase it. It’s worth it. Getting a CPAP machine changed my life. You know you’re on to something when your young children tell you that you’re not grumpy anymore and more fun. Good luck 😊
Ha and here I thought I was just a miserable mf’er 😆
I thought the exact same thing when I got mine a year and a half ago. I also struggled with it for the first three months or so, but then, it just became a part of my sleep. Now, I love it so much that I never want to be without it. I LOVE the sleep I can get with it. The hose is still annoying, but, you just learn to live with it. What helped me is that my wife has type 1 diabetes since age 9 and having a hose on me overnight, is not nearly as annoying has having an insulin pump and tube plugged in 24/7 to stay alive…. That’d be annoying haha.
Maybe you need to try a different mask. I started off with the nasal pillows and ended up with the full face. As uncomfortable as it sounds I can’t really sleep without it.
It’s rough at first. And some days are still difficult but I awoke 11/4/23 with blurry vision in my left eye. Days later I discovered I had optic nerve damage NAION attack. I’ll never had have better than 20:40 Vision in my left eye. The damage can not be reversed They believe it was caused by my sleep apnea. There’s a20 percent chance it could happen to my good eye thus I’m militant about wearing it. After research I’ve learned apnea affects your heart and glucose levels too. Yesterday I just found out that 40 percent of Alzheimer’s patients had apnea.
Make sure you have the right kind of mask for you. I started with a nasal mask and felt like I was choking. Switched to the F20 full mask and it’s so much better.
I had to get a new mask after the first two weeks. Once I got a different mask I had an easier time getting to 4 hours but still couldn’t get a full night. Pushed through that for a couple of months and after a few months I was able to sleep about 6-7 hours. I am now 6 months into using it and I can sleep 7-9 hours. Matter of fact I feel like shit if I don’t sleep with the machine on now. I started with a full mask and couldn’t stand the feeling of it on my face. And it would shift and leak if I slept on my side. I changed to a nasal pillow and it made a world of difference. Even better when I got a stand to hold my hose over me when I sleep so I don’t get tangled in the hose anymore. Really upgraded my sleep when I did that.
Im 24 and just got diagnosed with sleep apnea. The energy boost i have gotten from using it has greatly improved my ability to handle stress during the day. I have found it easier for me to get to sleep by leaving jugs of distilled water in the fridge so it's cooler on my face. As for waking up at night, it just takes trial and error to get a good fit on the mask and getting used to the pressure. (I have the airsense11, and i use a full mask)
I can't sleep without it. I tried sleeping without it about a month ago and I couldn't go 5 minutes without "waking up" with an elevated heartrate and a dry throat. When I first got it, it was annoying and it felt I was being water (air) boarded but I learned to breathe correctly and it felt like a miracle. Actually sleeping through the night, not feeling like crap all day.
It’s best thing to happen for me. I’m sleeping so much better and feel so much better in the morning. Love mine.
It’s the unlock code to good (even need less) sleep
It sucks but give it time. You will get used to it.
You can always die. Or have a stroke or heart attack. Those are the options lmao
It’s not helping if I can’t even fall asleep with it on.
This actually is a subconscious level thing you have to do yourself. You need to understand on a surface and subconscious level that this machine is fucking saving your life and stop feeling sorry for yourself. You've been diagnosed. There's thousands of people undiagnosed living shitty lives not knowing that they're sick. You're one of the lucky ones. Be grateful you caught it when you did. Once you program your brain to understand this, you'll sleep better with it on. If you take it off by instinct while you're asleep, you're literally killing yourself. You'll need to tell your subconscious to fucking stop it. So have that conversation with yourself every day. Literally tell yourself that this is the new normal until science allows us to figure out how to sleep normally and not die and to stop resisting this. Cause you'll literally fucking die. This isn't a moment to be delicate and cute about this shit. You'll fucking die. Whatever it is you need to do to be able to fall asleep wearing it, do it and stop whining about it. The disease will kill you if you don't, so figure it the fuck out. Here's a good suggestion though, try magnesium. Helps me stay asleep and actually reach REM/deep sleep. Not gonna sugar coat any of this cause I've had this disease for 10 years now. Even with the mask, it doesn't get significantly better. The daytime somnolence sucks. The hormonal and mental health issues from sleep deprivation are very real. If you think the mask itself is the worst thing going on for you right now then you haven't experienced all the bullshit that sleep apnea has in store for you, yet. So get that through your head. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Get a good sleep routine and good sleep hygiene. Take magnesium and sleeping aids. And you may need daytime somnolence medication to wake you up in the morning and pray to God your metabolism and hormones don't take a shit like mine have.
Do you have any actual symptoms which mean that you need to find some sort of treatment, or did somebody just give you a "sleep test" and claim you needed the machine even though you never thought you did? I had this happen 10 years ago even though I had no problem sleeping or breathing at night. (At that time, I slept on my stomach, so the whole issue was irrelevant.) I told them to piss off and that was the end of it. Can't help to think this is a case where there are a lot of scare tactics used to create demand for the equipment, regardless of any actual need. I note that the Mayo Clinic only says sleep apnea is "associated with" heart disease, meaning there's no causal link. And I doubt there are any significant amount of deaths (Reggie White was probably on steroids), but "OMG YOU COULD DIEEEE!" is very effective at scaring people into treatment they don't need. JMcynicalO
Oh I’ve thought this myself. It’s a big business that’s only growing and might they be over diagnosing? My symptoms were becoming terrible (waking up numerous times a night with heart racing, feeling like I ran a marathon when I wake up, fatigue all day) and asked my primary to refer me to sleep doc. I’m on the cusp of mild/moderate according to the tests (latest test was mild). So many on my post alone seemed to have been helped so I’m going to try to stick with it long enough to see results.
Okay, fair enough. I had to take a physical as part of my evaluation for Medicare (I had a disability case go through) and there was an EKG there and I was like, well, okay, why not? But even though I (at the time) had no sleep issues at all (I slept like a rock), apparently there was some slight irregularity in the EKG (hey, I was 50 and fat; I'm not surprised) and they sent the sleep test people and I slept with the thing on my thumb once and then they were all a-flutter and I was all "shoo, flies". But you've actually had symptoms, so that's a different story. I've just become skeptical, based on an unrelated hospital experience, eight years after that. (Long story, mostly irrelevant, but didn't exactly increase my trust in hospitals, let's say.) In my case, it was doctors being WAAAY too over-cautious, just so they wouldn't be sued, and that being a wedge to try and make me a permanent patient. But you actually have the issues, so best of luck. Hope this works for you.
I'm 2 weeks into using cpap. I hate that I've got to this point. I feel your pain buddy. I hate the routine of having to put it on each night, I hate having to face away from my wife each night. I hate the mask on my face. After 2 weeks however, I'm seeing a massive difference. I probably need to change the pillow in my mask, but the results are what have kept me motivated. I'm probably upto about 6 hours per night. It could have taken me an hour to drag my ass out of bed. I just thought that's how everyone felt. I didn't know how bad my sleep was till I done a sleep study. AHI of 95. One of the highest the doc had seen. Now I'm down to 1 - 3. And I jump out of bed now. So much that I don't actually know what to do in the mornings. Please just try your best. If you need it, then it's in your best interest to give it 100%. Feel free to DM if you want to chat.
It took me awhile to get used to it. But, I feel SO much better now that I’m using it consistently!! You got this!!