Sleep Apnea Support Group
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of sleep disturbances.
To start off, I've always had sleeping problems- for as long as I can remember. When I started the cpap I felt like I got good sleep for the first time ever. The problem is, I just can't bare to wear the damn thing! At the time I started it I was sleeping fairly well. But its been months now and I started having trouble when I started having sleep paralysis. It was the worst thing in the world. I thought I was going to die every time I started to fall asleep! And sleeping on my back only made it worse. You can't really sleep on your stomach on the cpap. Now that the nightmares seem to have passed... lord only knows why I got them in the first place... I still can't fall asleep with the machine! Part of it is dreadful fear of the nightmares, part of it is that it just isn't comfortable. I need sleep! I'm going nuts! I haven't had a good nights sleep in about a month! I keep waking up 3-5 times a night. Any ideas?
RascalFlattsFan
you're in a pickle, that's for sure. Sleep Apnea can kill you. It's not a disease to ignore. I don't know how you can "make" yourself wear the mask but please find a way. Your life depends on it.
Shlay
I actually fell asleep with it on last night! Best nights sleep I've had for so long! I feel like a brand new person!
RascalFlattsFan
YAY!!!!!!!
crazypurple1
i would like to find simple to use cpap because i dont like full mask. I am mild and OAS they found i have restless leg syndrome i felt nothing but when i become tired it sometimes become RLS.
RuthCR
I have the nose pillows and I can sleep on my back or side with the help of a chiro pillow. I had a terrible struggle early on when I first used it. I kept experimenting until I managed to settle down. I wore the mask and machine on while watching TV in bed to get used to it. One you would watch to program and forget about it, or I would get good ideas about how to get comfortable. Learning to use CPAP is a deeply personal journey that non CPAP users do not understand. It was the hardest journey I can remember, but I was determined as my diagnosis was so bad I couldn't afford to give up. Look up other sleep apnea sites also to get more infor. Some of the hints are really ingeneous. Glad you had a good night the other night, that will become the norm eventually. I absolutely love my CPAP, I get a buzz putting on the 'gear' as I know how good it makes me feel. Keep it up. Best wishes, Ruth
RascalFlattsFan
I love that "buzz" comment Ruth!! That's awesome. I remember reading somewhere that some people feel like they are going into outer space when they put the mask on and others feel like they are going deep sea diving. This puts them in a dreamy state of mind to make it easier to fall asleep. Whatever works is great!!
deleted_user
Thats good but what if you NEVER TOLERATE THE MACHINE AT ALL?
gkneez
My trick to get use to it isto not use the ramp. I always felt that I was suffocating. Without the ramp on it was so much better for me.
deleted_user
Speak to your DME company or attend a support group if one exists at your locality. Could be that you just need a different mask or a different mode of delivery, with or without ramp, with or without humidity or heated humidity. There are so many improvements in CPAP machines and accessories in the past 10 yrs, you need to try everything available until you are successful. Correcting your sleep breathing disorder is a life or death situation. If you are young (in your 20s through 50s) perhaps you think you can get around using these machines, because sometimes youth is too stubborn to admit what they really need to maintain health. Please Keep on trying!!!
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