I hate CPAP.

I've had CPAP for about 5 months, and I definitely feel the benefits (took 2-3 months). Less tired, fewer headaches, so I'd say it was relatively successful.

But.

I hate it. Really hate it.

I hate the mask and the way it feels on my face. I used to love drifting off to sleep, so relaxing and warm, but I hate the feeling of trying to get to sleep with the mask on.

I hate the fact that I never sleep more than 3 hours without waking up - without CPAP I sleep all night without fail (though breathing is a problem, obviously ).

I hate feeling like an invalid, wearing a stupid oxygen mask all night.

I hate that I can't wake up and snuggle into my wife for a cuddle without switching off the machine and dumping the mask - really kills the atmosphere

I hate the feeling of bloatedness I get from using CPAP, and the way all that extra air, er ... noisily leaves my body when I wake up (my wife doesn't much like that bit either)

I hate the noise

I hate the dry mouth, but if I turn the humidity up higher I hate the warm air that blows in my face

I hate the whole idea of CPAP, it's such an inelegant engineering solution to the problem by just blowing air into someone's face all night

I have two different masks, both of which fit ok, I have a new machine and a humidifier. CPAP makes me feels better and more awake. But I still hate it.

Sorry, just had to get that out. Am I the only one?

I probably tried 20 masks before I found one I could sleep with. Some people can loose weight, get in shape and get on a dental device. I lost the weight and got in shape , somewhat, but I'll need xpap the rest of my life. You can get a new mask every 3 to 6 months depending on your insurance and you can buy out of pocket for less than 100.00 in most cases, too. I had to take a sleeping pill at first. Just don't take them for more than 60 days, try not to take them every single night, NEVER double up and ease off them.

Aaaaawwwwww! Poor baby.....do you think we all just love our therapy? Its do or die in my book, if I have some discomfort...big deal, at least I am alive and kicking. Take a look at the alternatives....diabetes, heart attack, kidney failure, messed up brain...I could go on. I had 3 minor heart attacks prior to cpap and I have continuous vertigo..at least on the machine, I have not had another heart attack and my vertigo is lessening. I'll take the machine thanks, without complaint!!!!!!!

Hi - do a forum search (top of main page) for aerophagia... the 'fixes' could help you to get rid of the bloating... sometimes turning your pressure down just one notch helps if it doesn't affect your therapy results.

It's ok to hate it, as long as you are using it.

There are some things that might make it more comfortable. Try a Padacheek mask liner-it makes me feel like I'm snuggling my face in a soft blanket.

For the aerophagia, work on sleeping with your tongue on the roof of your mouth. That will help with the dry mouth, too.

Hang in there! Keep working on the comfort and you will get to the point where you sleep better and don't feel like its a big deal to strap it on at night.

Put on your big boy underpants and grow up. (I was being mean)
None of us prefer this to sleeping without help; but the alternatives are much worse.
Suck it up, crybaby. (Really mean--I'm actually a b*tch)
Read the post by Idamtnboy at the beginning of the second fixed topic at the top of the index page.
It's not fun, or cheap; but it's keeping us ALIVE!
There are far worse alternatives!

I think it must be harder for a young person to accept that they have a medical condition that will last a life time. By the time many of us ended up on cpap we were so relieved that the rest didn't matter. At your age you wouldn't have had time for that attitude to kick in.

It's good that you are at least feeling some relief from having the therapy and as for the rest just remind yourself that it might be a little more convenient to go to bed with this contraption on your face than to have your partner have to change your diaper or help hoist you from a wheel chair. It is not fun but it has to be one of the least intrusive and easiest treated medical conditions to be stuck with.

Hang in there.

For me, it's do or die. I died once, and while dying was a rather nice experience, I prefer not to for a while. I still have some lovin' to give my wife, kids, and dearest friends.
Do I dislike wearing the mask, sure, but I know the consequences of not.

DynoDad wrote:I've had CPAP for about 5 months, and I definitely feel the benefits (took 2-3 months). Less tired, fewer headaches, so I'd say it was relatively successful.

But.

I hate it. Really hate it.

I hate the mask and the way it feels on my face. I used to love drifting off to sleep, so relaxing and warm, but I hate the feeling of trying to get to sleep with the mask on.

I hate the fact that I never sleep more than 3 hours without waking up - without CPAP I sleep all night without fail (though breathing is a problem, obviously ).

I hate feeling like an invalid, wearing a stupid oxygen mask all night.

I hate that I can't wake up and snuggle into my wife for a cuddle without switching off the machine and dumping the mask - really kills the atmosphere

I hate the feeling of bloatedness I get from using CPAP, and the way all that extra air, er ... noisily leaves my body when I wake up (my wife doesn't much like that bit either)

I hate the noise

I hate the dry mouth, but if I turn the humidity up higher I hate the warm air that blows in my face

I hate the whole idea of CPAP, it's such an inelegant engineering solution to the problem by just blowing air into someone's face all night

I have two different masks, both of which fit ok, I have a new machine and a humidifier. CPAP makes me feels better and more awake. But I still hate it.

Sorry, just had to get that out. Am I the only one?

Short answer - no, you're not the only one by a long shot.

Longer answer - some of the things you hate can be fixed, and others can be adapted to, if you're willing. From your handle, I'm guessing you have kid(s)? Then you're doing cpap as much for them as you are for you, and I'm not telling you anything you don't already know

A little venting is perfectly ok - most of us need it when we're starting. You didn't ask for help with these issues, so I won't burden you with a long reply full of ideas, but if you do want help trying to fix some of these problems (and they are fixable), just holler. You've landed in the right place.

You must have led a silver spooned life, compared to most of us here. Many of us know Life isn't fare, (BOO HOO), but we see and live with many problems that can't be as easily delt with as blowing air into a hose. I feel you pain, I'd rate it as moot, may you never have any real problems in your life. If you buck up and use XPAP treatment correctly, you will be on the road to less pain in your life.

You have to break a few eggs to make a cake, but cake is sweeter than tears. Attitude is everything in life, adjustment is the key. Jim

Dyno-

An important life's lesson that I learned in military survival training (many decades ago) was that during any time of risk or challenge, self pity is the single-most destructive emotion that one can permit.

I did not like the mask and associated gear any when I first started therapy; however, I kept my eye on the health prize, kept my sense of humor, and before long, I adapted fully to the xpap.

Perhaps you should keep in mind just how lucky you are to be alive in an age in which sleep apnea can not only be diagnosed, but can be treated without surgery or drug intervention.

I suggest that you introduce yourself to your new best friends, Optimism and Sense of Humor.

.

I hate having to wear glasses now I am older, I miss just looking up and down and seeing things.

I hate having to wear a bra for my big boobs to keep them in place.

I hate having to take medication of any kind but I like to breathe.

I hate having to wear sensible shoes in order to walk without pain

I hate having left my lovely home with that light filled studio to go and live with my parents and help my mother to go to the bathroom and change her Depends.

I love my cpap because it allows me to live again, to make art again, to help my family, all without causing major side effects. Blessed simple technological innovation that has given me back my life. No zombie effects, no danger to internal organs, no anal leakage......

When I was 22 I would have been too drunk to remember to wear the mask so I am impressed that you are able to stick with it in spite of hating it. I think it is perfectly normal to hate it and to vent that feeling.

I hate:
Headaches
being tired
High blood pressure
falling asleep in a staff meeting
Drowsiness while driving

I put up with CPAP with:
Padacheek liner
Hose cover
Hacked hose manager
The desire to be around for the wife and kids
Keeping a good attitude

The benifits of CPAP outweigh an early ride in the back of a hearse

Well said, Captain! --papit

Captain_Midnight wrote:Dyno-
An important life's lesson that I learned in military survival training (many decades ago) was that during any time of risk or challenge, self pity is the single-most destructive emotion that one can permit.

I did not like the mask and associated gear any when I first started therapy; however, I kept my eye on the health prize, kept my sense of humor, and before long, I adapted fully to the xpap.

Perhaps you should keep in mind just how lucky you are to be alive in an age in which sleep apnea can not only be diagnosed, but can be treated without surgery or drug intervention.

I suggest that you introduce yourself to your new best friends, Optimism and Sense of Humor.