So backstory to this; my poor wife was being driven crazy by my loud and heavy snoring which I swear to God I never did in my life, but apparently had been, just no one was ever there to hear it before I got married eight years ago.

I went to an ENT specialist who did a bunch of tests to include a home sleep study, that report came back and said I had severe sleep apnea. Now I have to go for the regular overnight sleep study. Doc said I had stopped breathing 60 times plus that night hooked up to the home sleep study gadget.

What’s funny is, I felt like I’ve never slept great in my life, I always stay up way too late, then I toss and turn all night and that’s how I just thought I was. Spoke to a friend who has sleep apnea, he says this tossing and turning is because of the sleep apnea, and once I get it under control I will have the best nights sleep of my life and quality of life will improve.

I guess I will have to wear one of these CPAP devices for the rest of my life, not sure how that’s going to work.

Does anyone else here have sleep apnea and have to wear a CPAP? Any tricks or advice you can give me?

I too have sleep apnea. Was diagnosed close to 16 years ago. I use a CPAP machine. I wear the full face mask, as versus just the nose cup version.

The full mask covers below the chin and keep mouth closed, thus requiring you to breathe through nose. As I was in the military, wearing a gas mask was part of training, so a bit of “facial memory” usage already known.

I also use those full-size/cloth “Breathe Rite” strips, as the nose piece on the mask can sometimes pinch nostrils close, thus defeating the concept of the mask.

I sleep much better with the CPAP system; you will too.

Two sleep tests showed that I was inconclusive for sleep apnea but because I'm a very shallow breather a cpap would be of some help.

I hate the thing. Resmed S9 with humidifier, good quality, but unless you sleep on your back the mask presses into your face and is not comfortable.

There is a relatively new alternative called Inspire, no mask involved. I might check into it. But some people I know have no trouble adjusting to the mask and in fact claim they actually enjoy it! Beats heck out of me.

My wife uses one, and it helps her sleep tremendously. I use her spares, even though I've never been diagnosed and I sleep better than ever when I wear it. I love it, I sleep straight through the night and wake up more refreshed in the morning. Pee breaks are the only time I wake up. It takes some getting used to, and try different masks, my wife like the nostril only and i prefer the whole mouth and nose. You won't know how bad you are until you realize how good it can get.

Yup. Absolutely crazy triple digits breathing cessation back in '97 during my first overnight sleep study. Been on a CPAP ever since. Huge difference. Follow up studies confirmed. Last was just a few years ago.

I have severe sleep apnea. You don't realize how bad you feel until you get on the cpap and actually sleep, real sleep.

My AHI(apnea hypopnea index) was in the 70's if I remember correctly. Anything 30+ is severe. Once I got acclimated to the machine, my AHI month to month is around 1. Amazing. I have the nasal pillow mask. IMO it is by far the most comfortable mask. If you can keep your mouth closed which I have no problem with.

I'll warn you, when I first started on the machine the mask rubbed the inside of my nose raw. The "pillows" sit just inside your nose and expand to seal when the air passes through. I used a little vaseline to "lubricate" and once it healed in a few days it was fine. For about 2 weeks I was thinking no way was I going to do this shit the rest of my life I'd rather die. Keep at it, it will pass.

They tell you you need to use it 4 hours a night so insurance will pay etc. That's true and the first week when I got to 4 hours I took it off. As I got acclimated 4-5-6-7 hours no problem. I don't even think about it anymore. Put on the mask, and I'm out dead asleep in a matter of minutes. No more nodding off on the couch, napping etc. I go to bed between 10:30-11:30pm every night get 7-8 hours good sleep a night and feel great. I have been on the machine a year next month.

BTW, I read somewhere that most men over age 50 have some level of sleep apnea. If you're overweight it's probably a certainty.

Good luck, if you stick with it it's life changing.

EDIT: What lizardman said below is also true for me. Over the year I have been on cpap I have lost 25 pounds without really trying.

I too was diagnosed 10 years ago for severe sleep apnea.

I went in for the sleep study as I was falling asleep at my desk at work if I was sitting.

Ended up with a CPAP machine, and almost immediately lost 20 pounds due to my body not trying to hold onto the weight due to lack of sleep.

My CPAP is my friend.

I'm still here because I use my CPAP every night.

I had the overnight sleep test last month and was told I have sleep apnea. I have the ResMed AirSense 10 machine. My first mask was the AirFit P10 which was very uncomfortable, nasal pillows that irritated the nose lining and a front feed hose that I fought at night. I now has a Phillips DreamWhisp that cups the nose like a pig snout and feeds at the top of the head. This keeps the feed tube over the back of the pillow and allows free movement without tangle. (I cannot use the full face mask due to my beard.)

Good luck with your sleepover.

my wife can out snore anyone of you guys. She uses a cpap, now she snortles...

Im not sure whats worse, the sleep apnea or the cpap machine. With the machine I dont sleep, without the machine I dont sleep.

Had it (apnea)
Lost 30 lbs.
Best thing I ever did
No more apnea
Got rid of problem, not the symptom
Sleep is awesome and restful

quote:

Originally posted by dan03833:
Im not sure whats worse, the sleep apnea or the cpap machine. With the machine I dont sleep, without the machine I dont sleep.

This is the truth.

I wear a cpap with the nose-only mask. You will get used to it and you sleep will improve dramatically.

Nasal pillows have been most comfortable. It’s like when you start wearing a holster for concealed carry. It’s not comfortable it you get used to it after a while.

I have been using CPAP since 2001. Fell asleep at the wheel on the highway. Thank God others were alert enough to avoid me going head on.

I used to read before bed, so to get used to the mask, I'd wear the headgear for 30-60 minutes before sleeping. I switched to nasal pillows as I'm a back & side sleeper. Initially I used to use a chin strap to hold my mouth closed. Don't need that anymore.

I used to get severe migraines about five days a week. Very rare to even get a normal headache now. I am more than happy about the improved sleep!

I've been using the ResMed CPAP for 6 years. I do get a better nights sleep, but I can't say I enjoy the full face mask. I sleep on my side and the hose is long enough that turning over doesn't interfere. When I travel, all the TSA people know what you have so it passes through quick. Cruise ships accommodate you with distilled water and an extension cord. Not so bad, you notice the change in your sleep after a couple of weeks.

Diagnosed about 13 years ago. Been using a BiPAP ever since. BiPAP has one pressure for inhaling, a lower pressure for exhaling. CPAP has only one pressure (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). I adapted to the nasal pillows immediately and had the best sleep ever the first time I used it.

I hate it but it works and keeps me alive so I use it. Get a mask that works for you. Try different ones if you need to. Stick it out. The first week or so was rough. Learn what your machine does, what all the settings are, and go online and get the manual so you can adjust it yourself. Doing it willy nilly won’t help but making knowledgeable changes might.