[Islander7]

I don’t use one, but I am a respiratory therapist with 20+ years in sleep disorders.

[Responsibility2nd]

Any hints?

____________________________

Yes. Lose weight.

(Sorry, but it’s true, isn’t it?)

[Xenalyte]

Xena’s Dad does. He even has an auxiliary one at his weekend place. He loves it!

[DManA]

Been using one for about six months. I didn’t have too much problem adapting. I suggest you make a real effort to keep using it. They are finding out more and more how really dangerous this condition is. My dad died pretty young and he used to literally rock the house when he snored.

[Piranha]

My snoring went way, way down (or so my wife tells me) when I stopped eating gluten.

I’m sure that CPAPs work, but try eliminating all gluten (meaning, no bread, cake, crackers, sauces made with flour, and on and on) from your diet for a week, and see what it does.

Gluten allergies and gluten-related digestive disorders are greatly underdiagnosed in the US. For some reason, in the UK they are more widely acknowledged (however, I am in the US).

[RinaseaofDs]

For me it was weight. I used the CPAP, and it was great. I was SO much better rested, and I woke less, and my wife slept more.

I lost 100 pounds after getting Lap-Band surgery, and haven’t needed to use the CPAP since.

It’s a great tool.

[taxcontrol]

Many people can not adapt to a CPAP. I was one if those. Had the UPP surgery and Septoplasty surgery. Most painful surgery I have had to endure ...100x worth it.

[rightly_dividing]

I’ll give you my 2 pennies worth. I t helped me sleep better at night, less flipping and turning. My wife said that it was like sleeping next to a dead body. My prob come in at the face piece. It would become irritating while sleeping and I would yank it of, unknowingly. I tried adjusting the tension on the mask, but could not get it loose enough to be comfortable all night, but still seal to my face. After giving it up after a few months, my Dr. changed to a differant face piece that made a big differance.

[sima_yi]

Me too. CPAP saved my life. Took a couple of nights sleep to get used to it. It’s worth it.

[Roses0508]

We (my husband, his mother and I) were staying in a friend’s guesthouse - a historic log cabin built during the early years of Tennesee’s settlement. Multiple beds in one big space. My husband and I were very alarmed by MIL’s breathing. Sometimes it seemed like she quit breathing for 90 seconds or more. We discussed it with her the next day. She went and had sleep studies done.

Long and short of it, she loves the machine. Sleeps better, is rested, doesn’t snore so loud the whole house hears her, has more energy, etc. She wouldn’t be without it now. She had a bit of adjustment - less than a week.

For her it has made a tremendous difference.

[ex-snook]

10 years no problems - prefer full face.

[Jemian]

Mozie, is this an area of your expertise?

[ichabod1]

I don’t like it much. I think I was sleepign better with it. I should use it. But since I quit smoking I’ve stopped. It’s not TOO bad, but I can’t say it’s exactly comfortable.

[Vigilanteman]

I stopped using mine about 9 months ago. It helped when I was first diagnosed. But losing weight and getting rid of some of the stress in your life which keeps you from sleeping normally helps even more.

Best machines on the market are made by Respironics. If I had it to do over again, I would consider a no mask version.

BTW, not all sleep disorders are due to overweight. Neither weight reduction nor stress reduction is a cure-all. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. These reasons may be common, but there are tons of other reasons as well.

[agedav]

I have used one for several years. I found it easy to adapt to sleeping with it. It does not allow you to be intimate with your bed partner, but you put it on when you want to go to sleep. I find that I can sleep on my back, which I could never do before. I sleep better than I have in years. I used to awaken several times during the night. I was easily awakened by any disturbance. Now, I sleep deeply and am not disturbed by even very severe noises. Once I slept through a tree falling on the house. My wife can wake me, but I now sleep much better and find myself much more rested in the morning than before. I hope you have the same experience.

[lady lawyer]

It took me a couple of weeks to get used to it, but now I love it. I am more rested, and just generally feel better. I don’t wake up constantly.

[Yardstick]

I’m pretty sure I have apnea symptoms when I sleep on my back. I tend to snore and occasionally will wake up gasping for breath. It’s like my glottis relaxes and blocks my airway. No problem though if I sleep on my side or my belly.

I wonder how many people who suffer from sleep apnea sleep on their back? It wouldn’t surprise me if it were 100%. And I wonder how many CPAP users could do away with the CPAP by changing sleeping positions.

[rottndog]

I've had a cpap for 5 years now. It took me several months to get used to it, but then again, I am a very picky sleeper. It was very much worth the time it took to learn how to tolerate. I sleep very well now, and don't sleep without it.

The mask makes all the difference. I use a Respironics Comfort Gel nasal mask (not full face)...

It is really adjustable and very comfortable. The key is patience....it will take time to figure out how to fit it just right to your face.

Another issue you will have is learning to sleep with your mouth closed. CPAP won't work if the air just blows out your mouth (what will happen if you don't have a full face). I found that wearing a dental night guard helps for that (my dentist made me wear one to keep me from grinding my teeth, and it helped to keep my mouth shut).


Well worth the effort and patience needed to learn how to sleep with it on. Benefits FAR outweigh the negatives.

[Big Horn]

I have had one for at least five years and would not sleep without it. I feel more rested more energy and you sleep better than ever. The nose mask is no problem.

[mlizzy]

I lost 20 pounds and didn't have any further trouble. I've put some of the weight back on and still have no problems. I am using essential oils though and you might like to take a look at that possibility. Here's an article regarding sleep apnea and it features the company that I am going through for the oils: Link