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[elena88]

"Aren't the worst critics the best advocates once they've been converted to the Dark Side?! "

Hey, echo, YOU are sooooooooooo right!

I have been assimilated! Resistance is futile! (okay thats trek, but I am a dark side convert now)


I do not know if the "cpap quitter" is a spammer or not, actually dont care now, cuz someone else who is ready to quit
might stick around and read some more posts..

I had my third "refreshing" morning in six weeks today.. yahoo, heres the glimmer of light I was looking for!

I aint a quitter, and it really pissed me off that I was about to be ONE OF THEM a couple days ago.....

thanks to all of you, Im NOT quitting, and will probably be the most verbal gerbil cpap advocate you have ever seen!

[echo]

I have been assimilated! Resistance is futile! (okay thats trek, but I am a dark side convert now)

Even better!

yeah, you and the mask are now one

[Madalot]

I have been assimilated! Resistance is futile! (okay thats trek, but I am a dark side convert now)

Even better!

yeah, you and the mask are now one

I love it!!!

[Jersey Girl]

Dear Elena,

I had my third "refreshing" morning in six weeks today.. yahoo, heres the glimmer of light I was looking for!

I aint a quitter, and it really pissed me off that I was about to be ONE OF THEM a couple days ago.....

thanks to all of you, Im NOT quitting, and will probably be the most verbal gerbil cpap advocate you have ever seen!

I am so happy to hear this! I felt so bad when I thought about you packing up your equipment, and was so hoping that something that one of us, any of us said, might just sink in and you might just give it another try. I know it's been quite a struggle for you, to say the least, but it seems as though you've come through the tunnel and out the other side.

I am so proud of you and hope that you will continue to let us know how you are doing.

Warmly,

Your friend,

Jersey Girl

[Gekko]

As a newbie, I think I need to weigh into this debate. I've also had my fair share of issues with CPAP, even though I've only had the machine for a month. Mask hurt my nose, intermittent leaks, mouth breathing, taking off my mask in the middle of the night, AHI scores that seems to vary between 5 and 20 (ironically, the higher AHI scores appear to occur on the nights my mask fits well!).'

But.... even with my sub-optimal treatment, I feel a lot better during the day, my afternoon/evening sleepiness has been severely cut (in fact, I can stay awake most nights now without trying), I have more energy, my appetite is better (i.e. I don't crave junk as much as I did)... the benefits go on and on.

So, to anyone wavering, I say, do your best to stick with it!

[kteague]

Although I remember the pain well, I realize my advice comes a bit far removed from those early days of misery. How refreshing to hear the words of those barely out of or even still weathering the storm!

[JoyD.]

.
We ALL had to go through early CPAP frustrations, and most of us probably went through stages where we were tempted to quit.

Well, that's your prerogative . . . but let me tell you from personal experience that WITHOUT TREATMENT YOUR SLEEP APNEA WILL ONLY GET WORSE . How do I know? It happened to me

Several years ago I had my first sleep study that indicated I had mild-moderate OSA and needed CPAP. I was too vain to follow through. With my OSA untreated, I HAD A STROKE (fortunately it was mild.). Finally I wised up and returned for another sleep study that showed my OSA was now SEVERE This time I followed through, got myself on CPAP and committed to be successful no matter how frustrating it was the first six months!

Now it's over a year. My high blood pressure meds have gone from FIVE to TWO, My risk of another stroke or cardiovascular events has been drastically reduced.

I am very sorry I didn't get on CPAP back when the OSA was only mild-moderate. The stroke probably wouldn't have happened, and my blood pressure would probably have stayed normal on one medication.

BOTTOM LINE: You are digging your own grave if you stop CPAP because it seems troublesome or inconvenient. YOUR OSA WILL ONLY GET WORSE, AND YOUR RISK OF DYING WILL INCREASE! As someone else said, suck it up and solve your mask and other issues like the rest of us have. You are not alone - we can help you if you are committed to your success.

Joy

[Mtnviewer]

I've put in lots of time tweaking my mask, headgear, sore nose bridge, taping the nose bridge, taping my mouth, using a dental appliance, testing food, drink, sleeping position(s), pillow(s), bedroom temp, duvet ..... and many other things and slowly over the last year, I've figured more and more out and what works..... for me and my therapy. It was very frustrating and disillusioning at times, and some times even painful but as the sleep improved, many other problems and pains went away, though not all.

Each of us has to figure out what works for us and at times try this and that for what seems like forever, but as each of us is built differently, it's to be expected that not every mask or piece of equipment will fit everyone perfectly. It's also tough to have patience and tolerance to do this yourself when you are tired, or at least it was for me.

If your OSA is largely positional, that to me is EXTREMELY encouraging. Do you feel like you have resourced all possibilities in solving your side sleeping pains, such as visiting as many physiotherapists as you can until you find one that can help you come up with aids, stretches, or strengthening adjoing body parts to help you sleep on one side or another? I haven't got your type of problem, but I swear by the help and education that I've gotten over the years from a few physiotherapists that have helped me deal with positional pain while sleeping. If anyone can, and much more so than a doctor, help you try and find a solution, a physio out there should be able to. If you've completely exhausted that suggestion already and not found any help from any physiotherapist, then I can understand your frustration and wish you the best.

One more suggestion would be to try, a post I made on the Wiki page:

Try Using Tape or a plastic Bandage
I've used plastic bandages for temporary relief or for healing a sore on the bridge of my nose, but for the last couple of months I've been using 3M Transpore surgical tape on my nose bridge, every night. A web search for "3M Transpore tape" will show you lots of links some with pictures so you an see what it looks like. I found it in a local pharmacy in the bandages area. It is a dimpled tape with pores, it has a soft rough surface and is opaque (would be clear if not for the dimple pores) and it's very comfortable to wear. I've even forgotten about it on occasion. It can be purchased on a tear off applicator at a premium price, or just by the plain roll for a lot less and as it tears so easily, no applicator appliance is needed, nor are scissors and yet it's very tough otherwise. You may also find it at a supermarket or drugstore in a purple tape dispenser labeled Nexcare™ Flexible Clear First Aid Tape. Nexcare Flexible Clear First Aid Tape (Still 3M Transpore but packaged for consumer market)

My full face mask has no problem sealing on the tape. This seems to keep the pressure off my nose and so no soreness or redness from the mask. It is very inexpensive, it has a great adhesive, a small piece can be used for several nights before it becomes a bit too gummy on both sides and a new piece is needed. I've never had a piece come off due to moisture from within the mask or from skin sweating.

I use it every night now to not only relieve the mask pressure a bit more for a tighter seal when needed but if there is any redness it is very mild for me and goes away quite quickly. No more putting on make up over the red patch in the morning. No more pain and nor more open wound on the bridge of my nose, now 4 months of use.

[RipVanWinkleWannabe]

I hate CPAP.
I hate mask leaks.
I hate red spots on the bridge of my nose.
I hate crease lines on my cheeks.
I hate relying on a machine to help me breath.
I hate not being able to fall asleep holding onto my wife.
I hate changing the humidifier water.
I hate cleaning the mask.
I hate dragging the CPAP machine along when I travel.
I hate CPAP.

But the hate I have for CPAP pales in comparison to the love I have for my family; for my friends; for my life.

[Mount Snorius]

I hate CPAP.
I hate mask leaks.
I hate red spots on the bridge of my nose.
I hate crease lines on my cheeks.
I hate relying on a machine to help me breath.
I hate not being able to fall asleep holding onto my wife.
I hate changing the humidifier water.
I hate cleaning the mask.
I hate dragging the CPAP machine along when I travel.
I hate CPAP.

But the hate I have for CPAP pales in comparison to the love I have for my family; for my friends; for my life.

OMG, this is beautiful. Succinct and beautiful. How many times have I wanted to trash the machine and quit. Lots and lots and lots (even today). Then, I look at my wife, my 11 and 5 year old, and I know that if I quit, I will not see them much longer. Hang in, hang in, by God, just hang in there.

[DreamDiver]

I hate CPAP.
I hate mask leaks.
I hate red spots on the bridge of my nose.
I hate crease lines on my cheeks.
I hate relying on a machine to help me breath.
I hate not being able to fall asleep holding onto my wife.
I hate changing the humidifier water.
I hate cleaning the mask.
I hate dragging the CPAP machine along when I travel.
I hate CPAP.

But the hate I have for CPAP pales in comparison to the love I have for my family; for my friends; for my life.

Here's a way we can all get back at that 'dreaded' CPAP. Let's ask the guy from 'Will it Blend' to put an M-Series Pro into his blender.

That would be MOST satisfying. What do y'all think?

Johnny, Carolyn, this could be a great stunt to promote awareness of CPAP. This guy will blend anything - and do it with a smile.

[fiberfan]

Here's a way we can all get back at that 'dreaded' CPAP. Let's ask the guy from 'Will it Blend' to put an M-Series Pro into his blender.

I think a mask might be more satisfying to see blended. I submitted a request to blend a cpap machine and/or mask. That was after laughing as I watched the blending of an ipad.

[JohnBFisher]

... So I'm going back to sleeping on my stomach ... I can't hack it anymore, gonna take the lesser of two evils. ...

You've seen others post here that they understand it is a pain in the keester.

But seriously. Prior to getting my ASV unit (just a REALLY fancy xPAP unit), I had uncontrolled blood pressure. And unfortunately, I now also have some kidney disease. It's stable at the moment. And it probably stabilized the moment I started to use my ASV unit. So, I know that I *definitely* do not want high blood pressure to cause it to advance. If using xPAP means I can keep my blood pressure in check, I *WILL* figure out how to make it work.

I'm just one person. Joy posted about a stroke. If you search you will find others who posted about heart attacks. And there is a clear link between type 2 diabetes (which I also have) and untreated sleep apnea. Sure this is just ancedotal. But it is all too common.

So, let me ask you. Which is the lesser of two evils? The approach which admittedly is a pain in the keester to get right? Or approach that *will* ruin your health if you ignore the problem?

Jules' response seems harsh. But there is CLEAR evidence that untreated you will face many serious and possibly fatal health problems.

[Janknitz]

I had my third "refreshing" morning in six weeks today.. yahoo, heres the glimmer of light I was looking for!

Way to go, Elena! What helped the most to turn those positives into negatives?

After going through my own struggle to adjust to CPAP just recently, and hearing about yours, Elena, I wanted to tell KMCCOB to put on his(?) big girl panties and quit whining!!!!!!!!!!!! What a wimp! He doesn't need sympathy, he needs a kick in the pants.

Most of us here went through or are still going through our own version of nightly hell--multiple masks, sore faces, sleepless nights and everything that goes with it. But we didn't quit--we stuck to it and did it for all the wonderful reasons that RVWW says.

I use CPAP not for me, but for my husband, who doesn't deserve to be left alone with two daughters to raise, or--even worse--a dependent adult to care for. He also doesn't deserve to sleep on the couch for the rest of our lives because my snoring disturbs him. My kids need their mom, even if I'm not in the running for a parent of the year award. They need me to be present and involved in their lives. They need me to stay awake when I treat them to a movie. They need me not to fall asleep at the wheel when I'm driving them somewhere. My family needs my income to keep the roof over their heads and the food in their bellies. My colleagues and clients need me to have a clear head and a sharp mind. Without CPAP, all of that was at risk.

Elena, I felt so badly for you, but you kept on going when it seemed so terrible. That's guts! Maybe you can email some to KMCCOB.

[allen476]

I'm just one person. Joy posted about a stroke. If you search you will find others who posted about heart attacks. And there is a clear link between type 2 diabetes (which I also have) and untreated sleep apnea. Sure this is just ancedotal. But it is all too common.

So, let me ask you. Which is the lesser of two evils? The approach which admittedly is a pain in the keester to get right? Or approach that *will* ruin your health if you ignore the problem?

Jules' response seems harsh. But there is CLEAR evidence that untreated you will face many serious and possibly fatal health problems.

Well to echo many here, I have serious problems after having untreated OSA. When I had my first bout of Atrial Fib, I ignored the warning signs then. Fast forward 15 years later, I was hospitalized with a very serious case of Atrial Fib. The doctors were amazed that I wasn't dead. (Pulse was 204, BP was 275/180(?)) My heart wall thickness is 5x's what it should be. It is stiff and doesn't work well under stress anymore. I had an appointment today with the cardiologist. More bad news, I am facing a heart transplant in the next 5-8 years if it continues to get thicker. The only factor he can determine that significantly contributed to it is OSA as my weight didn't balloon up until the last 5 years. He wanted to put me on O2 at night, but with no insurance until next month, that is out. Right now, I wish I had made an appointment to follow up the first time around.

Allen