Any CPAP users? I don't think I can do this

[Fresh Hope]

for those that may not know, CPAP machines are used for treating sleep apnea
Just diagnosed, severe case, the only thing I looked forward to most days was reading in bed and falling asleep and boy am I depressed over this turn of events. Any advice would be so appreciated...really struggling, seems like there is no quality of life left, sounds dramatic I know ...many people can use these machines, I just don't want to...if I have to sleep with a machine , wake up to fight AL and depression all day and go to bed with a machine I mean really what is the point

[Cinders]

Fresh Hope,

My hubby and SIL use CPAP machines.

They are not as bad as you might think. Yes, they do take some getting used to and if you have a partner (me in this case) sometimes they get a bit of air blown at them.

While my hubby hates having the hose wake him up when he turns in his sleep, he will absolutely NOT sleep without the machine today. It has made a huge and extremely positive impact in his life. He wakes up refreshed and feeling much better than he has in years.

He is looking into a new mask that fits his machine that is less instrusive.

I think you should give it a fair chance. It took hubby about two weeks to get used to it.

There is also the option of surgeries but hubby had two and neither worked.

Love and luck,
Cindi

[Thankful]

Wow, never heard of this type of machine. Fresh, you just might feel better about life after a few goodnights sleep! Think about it. I know it's easy to say because I don't have to use one, but I do try to look for the bright side of things. Just out of curiosity, why can't you still read in bed with this machine? How encumbersome is it?

Wishing you luck, hun. And a great nights sleep.

Love, Me

[CaptJBean]

I've heard of great success with these machines. But, I agree with you that it just seems like it would be more of a bother than a benefit.
They say losing wt. and stopping alcohol helps with sleep apnea.
Good luck in whatever you decide.

[betty boop]

Hi My dad has sleep apnoea too, and has a cpap machine , when he was first diagnosed his HGV driving licence was taken from him, but after using the machine his quality of life is much much better ......

Please persevere, It can be a very serious condition ......

Good Luck,

BB xx

[myra]

Well I use one and to tell you the truth, would just as soon have a leaf blower up my nose. Kinda what it feels like. I did better early on with the treatment than I'm doing now. Alcohol does not help.

But, do yourself a favor and try to get used to it. You will feel like a different person after knowing what it is like to breathe during the night.

Good luck.

[Fresh Hope]

It is a mask that you wear over your nose hooked up to a machine that blows air into your nose to keep your throat from collapsing... Google CPAP mask images to see ...

Thanks for your comments ...my family Doc just told me that if I don't use it he has to report me to driver’s license authority, the same as someone who has a seizure etc.
I want to use it but so afraid of messing up what sleep I do get because as soon as I go1 or 2 nights without sleep I get very anxious and Depression starts and just getting off Depression meds after so long...years ,,,,,and was feeling good and next step was Topa for AL ... boy am I feeling sorry for myself, not my usual MO at all. I don’t even fit the profile, I am other wise healthy, exercise hard-core5 days week, overweight but working on it

[lushy]

I know the machine will take some getting used to, but maybe once you start getting really good sleep it will help with the depression. When I get a horrible night sleep it really effects my depression the next day. Good luck!

[Cinders]

Fresh Hope,

My hubby's life is 100% better with the CPAP than without it.

You see, it is not just a good night's sleep, it is sleep period. When you have sleep apnea, you never get to the REM stage of sleep because your body had to wake you up in order to get air.

This causes less oxygen in your blood stream even during the day, so your body is oxygen deprived all day which makes you tired (and of course depressed.)

We saw all this with hubby's sleep studies, with and without CPAP.

At least I know when he's in the "mood." He isn't wearing his mask...

It is a life saver, you know. Last year a famous baseball player died and it was linked to the fact that he was not wearing his CPAP at night and caused him to have a stroke or a heart attack. I can't remember the exact story but I remember it vaguely because I thought of my hubby.

Wear the CPAP. Your life will get better from it. It just took hubby a couple weeks to get fully comfy with it.

Love,
Cindi

[Fresh Hope]

Thanks CIndi...I read your other posts ...the AB thread and others, you have so much optimism, it really helps to hear you say it will be ok thanks