Has Anyone Dealt With Sleep Apnea?

[Borillar]

I've been using a CPAP machine for around 15 years now. The machines are a lot smaller and quieter now, and the masks are getting very lightweight and unobtrusive. Wearing the mask and adjusting to forced air takes a bit of getting used to, but you feel much more rested. You can get into some really deep REM sleep. Before I was diagnosed, I was always fatigued and could fall asleep sitting in a chair or at work. Much better now. They aren't for everyone, but could potentially help you.

If that is actually you in the avatar, you appear to be a fit young man. Might be a good idea to get yourself checked by a specialist to see if there is an underlying condition causing your sleep apnea that could be corrected without having to use the CPAP machine.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

I've been using a CPAP machine for around 15 years now. The machines are a lot smaller and quieter now, and the masks are getting very lightweight and unobtrusive. Wearing the mask and adjusting to forced air takes a bit of getting used to, but you feel much more rested. You can get into some really deep REM sleep. Before I was diagnosed, I was always fatigued and could fall asleep sitting in a chair or at work. Much better now. They aren't for everyone, but could potentially help you.

It’s been a couple of weeks now and I’m starting to get used to it. The last few days I’ve felt much better and I’ve started going back to the gym.

If that is actually you in the avatar, you appear to be a fit young man. Might be a good idea to get yourself checked by a specialist to see if there is an underlying condition causing your sleep apnea that could be corrected without having to use the CPAP machine.

It is me in the avatar. I went to a sleep clinic that specializes in apnea and sleeping disorders. The doctor told me most people experience this due to obesity, but there are people like myself who suffer from it as well.

 

[Borillar]

I've been using a CPAP machine for around 15 years now. The machines are a lot smaller and quieter now, and the masks are getting very lightweight and unobtrusive. Wearing the mask and adjusting to forced air takes a bit of getting used to, but you feel much more rested. You can get into some really deep REM sleep. Before I was diagnosed, I was always fatigued and could fall asleep sitting in a chair or at work. Much better now. They aren't for everyone, but could potentially help you.

It’s been a couple of weeks now and I’m starting to get used to it. The last few days I’ve felt much better and I’ve started going back to the gym.

If that is actually you in the avatar, you appear to be a fit young man. Might be a good idea to get yourself checked by a specialist to see if there is an underlying condition causing your sleep apnea that could be corrected without having to use the CPAP machine.

It is me in the avatar. I went to a sleep clinic that specializes in apnea and sleeping disorders. The doctor told me most people experience this due to obesity, but there are people like myself who suffer from it as well.

I was thinking more along the lines of seeing an otolaryngologist to see if there was something anatomically wrong, but glad to hear that the machine is working out for you. Best of luck to you.

 

[Billo_Really]

About a year and a half ago I got diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. They recommended a CPAP machine, but I didn't want to do it. I would only snore if I slept on my back, but if I rolled over on my side I was usually good. I would sometimes get a little fatigued during the day, but it wasn't that bad.

Something changed about two weeks ago or so. It seems almost overnight it went from mild to severe. I haven't gotten more than three to four hours of sleep a night for the past couple of weeks. Sleeping on my side isn't preventing it anymore. As soon as I start to dose off I can feel my throat collapse and it's taking me three to four hours to even fall asleep and after an hour or two I wake up gasping for air. I'm like a zombie all day long. I've been getting up late for work. I have only been to the gym once since the problem got worse. My wife kicked me out of our room and I've been sleeping on the couch downstairs for the past week because my constant snorting, and choking, and shifting around in the bed was keeping her awake all night too.

I'm going back to the sleep clinic tomorrow where I assume I'm going to have no other choice but to get that damn machine. I'm worried that wearing that mask will bother me just as much as the apnea. Just curious if anyone else here has or is dealing with the same condition.

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. When I was monitored, I stopped breathing 260 times a night. Without the CPAP, you wake up and its like you never slept. You wake up tired. I've heard stories where some people don't wake up at all. Getting a good nights sleep is very important. It is directly related to how your heart functions and your immune system.

Get the mask. After a few nights, you'll get used to it and will hardly know its there. And when you wake up the next morning, you will feel so refreshed. It is an unbelievable feeling.

Get a good CPAP. It makes no sound, except the air coming thru the tube. And if you have a good seal, you won't even hear that.

 

[Ringel05]

it is best to deal with your sleeping disorder

not doing so could lead to severe heart problems

I'm definitely going to now. My wife wouldn't not let me at this point and for the past couple of weeks I've felt like shit all day long. I'm just having anxiety about having to wear that CPAP mask and I'm wondering if it will bother her. I've sometimes they can be loud, but that was a few years ago. Maybe now they're better?

It's kinda annoying at first but not only do you get used to it you get to the point where sleeping without it feels strange. The machines are loud like a small jet engine when the mask is not on the face and the machine is on, when the mask is on it's quiet.

 

[jon_berzerk]

it is best to deal with your sleeping disorder

not doing so could lead to severe heart problems

I'm definitely going to now. My wife wouldn't not let me at this point and for the past couple of weeks I've felt like shit all day long. I'm just having anxiety about having to wear that CPAP mask and I'm wondering if it will bother her. I've sometimes they can be loud, but that was a few years ago. Maybe now they're better?

It's kinda annoying at first but not only do you get used to it you get to the point where sleeping without it feels strange. The machines are loud like a small jet engine when the mask is not on the face and the machine is on, when the mask is on it's quiet.

never got used to mine

even after they tweaked it several times

i use plain old o2 at night

which works for me

but that has its own problems too

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

it is best to deal with your sleeping disorder

not doing so could lead to severe heart problems

I'm definitely going to now. My wife wouldn't not let me at this point and for the past couple of weeks I've felt like shit all day long. I'm just having anxiety about having to wear that CPAP mask and I'm wondering if it will bother her. I've sometimes they can be loud, but that was a few years ago. Maybe now they're better?

It's kinda annoying at first but not only do you get used to it you get to the point where sleeping without it feels strange. The machines are loud like a small jet engine when the mask is not on the face and the machine is on, when the mask is on it's quiet.

Yeah, the first couple of weeks were rough, but the past few days I’ve started feeling close to normal again

 

[jon_berzerk]

it is best to deal with your sleeping disorder

not doing so could lead to severe heart problems

I'm definitely going to now. My wife wouldn't not let me at this point and for the past couple of weeks I've felt like shit all day long. I'm just having anxiety about having to wear that CPAP mask and I'm wondering if it will bother her. I've sometimes they can be loud, but that was a few years ago. Maybe now they're better?

It's kinda annoying at first but not only do you get used to it you get to the point where sleeping without it feels strange. The machines are loud like a small jet engine when the mask is not on the face and the machine is on, when the mask is on it's quiet.

Yeah, the first couple of weeks were rough, but the past few days I’ve started feeling close to normal again

Good glad to hear that it is working out for you

 

[baileyn45]

it is best to deal with your sleeping disorder

not doing so could lead to severe heart problems

I'm definitely going to now. My wife wouldn't not let me at this point and for the past couple of weeks I've felt like shit all day long. I'm just having anxiety about having to wear that CPAP mask and I'm wondering if it will bother her. I've sometimes they can be loud, but that was a few years ago. Maybe now they're better?

It's kinda annoying at first but not only do you get used to it you get to the point where sleeping without it feels strange. The machines are loud like a small jet engine when the mask is not on the face and the machine is on, when the mask is on it's quiet.

Yeah, the first couple of weeks were rough, but the past few days I’ve started feeling close to normal again

I just stumbled upon this thread and thought I'd chime in. I've been using a VPAP for about 8 years now, absolutely life changing for me. With the "V" PAP (variable air pressure) it took a couple of months working with the techs to get things right. For me the higher pressure during inhaling would stop before I was done inhaling which felt like someone choking me halfway through each breath. Once we got that all figured out it was pure magic.

I should add that my doctor told me I was the worst he'd ever seen. During my first sleep study I stopped breathing 360 times, the longest for 1 minute 38 seconds. Having a doctor look me in the eye and saying "son, you should be dead", was enough to settle any question as to whether or not I was going to stick with it.

After 8 years I don't even notice the mask any more, and even my wife sleeps better. Hang in there, it gets easier with time.

I will second what someone already mentioned and that's picking up a used backup. Mine has been in for service twice and the first time I went without for about 10 days, it was horrible. Within 2 days I knew I wasn't sleeping. The backup isn't quite as good as the main unit which is tweaked for me but it's a lot better than nothing.