Anyone here use a CPAP machine for their apnea? (back pain, surgery, doctor)

[brokencrayola]

I just had a sleep study done this last Monday night. The final report is not written up yet but I was told it looks like I have OSA, Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I saw my physician the next day and he is going to write up a prescription for a CPAP machine for when I sleep. I am kind of claustrophobic and do not like anything on my face. How easy or difficult is it to wear these things? Did you notice a huge change in how you felt? Any info appreciated.

[w1ngzer0]

I am only late 20's and you will felt a difference after the study. My sleep doctor explained to me the older you are, the harder it is to "feel" the difference. After I got it home and used it for a couple weeks, i felt more alert and that is about it. I still feel very tired during the day and maybe because I have narcolepsy. My mother in law has a cpap machine and she feels the same way as you. Her solution was to get the "nasal" pillow and i believe she has a strap that only goes behind your head, not over and back.

[*Danielle*]

Well you can get a full face mask or a nasal mask. The full mask covers your nose and mouth...the nasal obviously just covers your nose. There are some super nice machines now a days. I just saw one that is totally silent and automatically adjusts pressure to whatever you need. So there are no settings (unless you require O2 with it) to dial in. Just put your mask on and turn your machine on...

It is an adjustement.

[ajzjmsmom]

My husband has been using one since 2004 and it has made a world of difference in his life. He uses the nasal pillows, he said he couldn't use the mask. It was so nice to have my hubby back after he got his, no more excessive sleepiness, no more naps as soon as he got home, and no more snoring.

[CarolinaCowboy]

The cpap machine will change your life. It usually takes about two weeks to fully adjust. The first few nights you sleep more then 4 hours on the machine, you will feel like you are on speed or something. You will feel incredible and have energy you had long forgotten. This feeling? Is how you would normally have felt without apnea. The first option is to try and use a nasal mask only, rather then full face mask. You will not feel phobic with just a nasal mask.

Try and adjust and get used to using it, it will change your life!

I am normal weight and in fact fit, but have obstructive apnea due to my genetics. I suffered for years and finally got some therapy. It has changed my life. I sleep 6-7 hours and am good for the entire day, no napping, no headaches no hangover feeling.

[brokencrayola]

Tomorrow I go to Lincare and they start the process. I don't know exactly how it all works yet, but will know soon. I hope it makes a big difference and look forward to finding out.

[Mike from back east]

I've used one for 9 years. Use it. It will save your life.

Lincare will show you a variety of masks and fit you with one. Some cover nose and mouth, some cover just the nose. I use the nasal pillow type, not sure why it has that name but that's what they call it. Nasal pillows are just two tiny funnel shaped silicone rubber thingies that fit in your nose holes, held in place by a small plastic bar and a strap. Google the term to see pix.

I got used to mine the very first night, I sleep better and feel better.

Some people rub a little K-Y jelly on their nasal pillows the first few nights, so they don't chafe the tip of their nose. Don't use vaseline, it dissolves silicon. I just run chapstick on my nose most nights, and around the pillows, works fine.

Most people swear by their nasal pillows as being the least annoyance.

[brokencrayola]

I have a piercing on the side of one nostril, so I am not sure the pillow will work for me.

[Giesela]

I have always tossed and turned like crazy - how could I ever use one? (Dr. mad because I didn't follow through with sleep study). I just figured I could never wear one. There are people on Amazon that have been buying those mouth inserts, sort of like a big retainer that supposedly holds your mouth in a certain position that opens your throat. A fair number of those people did not like CPAP's. Seemed the mouth pieces worked for some and not others. I was thinking of trying one but already have invisalign retainers in my mouth

[GayleTX]

If you toss and turn like crazy it's probably because you NEED a CPAP!! Sleep apnea can be very serious and neglecting to do something about it is dangerous.

I had no idea I had sleep problems....just thought I woke up a lot because of stress and back pain. But I was required to have a sleep study before for a surgery coming up and it was positive.....and the first night I slept with that little machine I was in love with it (something similar happens to a lot of people, doesn't it!). In just a few nights I felt better than I had in a long time....I couldn't wait to get in bed with it at night (I told you I loved it!).