SleepyEyes21 wrote:
I happened to take to cpap 'like a fish to water,' but didn't (and don't) want others to think I can't appreciate the struggles they go through. You make really great points also- a lot depends on your ' luck with the DME's, masks, machines, etc...' and the amount of understanding you have going into this from the start! Education is KEY! And you are also right- plenty of us don't have troubles beyond our initial stages of getting adapted! Thanks for the reminder
Being a former Industrial Engineer, I am still fascinated the way things integrate together, part of my ability to see the sleep therapy as a system. Sure, you have mask, nasal pillows (if applicable), hose, headgear, humidifier, chamber, filter, cpap machine, power supply, but you also have nose/mouth (and into the respiration and pulmonary systems from a biological perspective).
And then the DME's sleep specialists, respiratory therapists (who may partner with DME), insurance...
All of these components need to work together synergistically to produce the best results. Realistically, you can have good therapy without the best sleep specialist, DME, and even insurance providers. Even the hardware doesn't make or break the system's results. One can have a POS machine, but with the right nasal/mouth interface in the mask, as long as the machine puts out the pressure, that's really all that matters. The interface is where leaks happen most. Especially for us bearded and mustachioed folk. You can have the best set of golf clubs in the world, but if the player's grips on the club slip, he ain't winning the Master's tournament!
I've turned about 5 people into solid CPAP proponents. No. Scratch that. 5 people / friends / colleagues wanted better lives enough to see that they needed CPAP for richer lives. Several others suffer in silence because they weren't ready to make the change. They haven't properly grieved the transition they must take for success.
I work with addicts. The hardest thing to do as a human (addicted or otherwise) is to say, "I can't do this any more and live like I have been living. Will you help me? I'll to anything I need to." Because of the people here at the time (2010?) when I started up and the help they offered from their own experiences, I have missed 1 night of sleep in the last 2046 days. That was because of a loss of power one night. Another night, I Pricelined a night in a local hotel room (still cheaper than calling off work for day).
Sure, I took to it like a duck to water. I recognize not everyone can do this right away or may be facing challenges to push through. You're in my prayers. Message me if you want to talk through it.
The best education comes from hard-fought experience. Someone else's.
If you see me acting unruly, call me on it. PMs are welcome.