4th cpap anniversary -- Yea!

[JZ]

I seldom come to this forum anymore because I am so dang busy with my job and other things. For the first couple of years after my apnea diagnosis, cpaptalk.com was my lifeline. Self discipline is not my strong suit and I am a light sleeper with some insomnia problems. For whatever reason, though, I was determined to be successful with cpap therapy. The first few months were a living nightmare and I felt like a zombie. About 3 months in I found cpaptalk.com and within a month I got a mask that kinda, sorta worked. Several months later I got a better mask that would actually allow me to sleep on my side. It was almost a year before it began to feel natural to strap a mask on each night.

I can't imagine I would have made it through that first year without cpaptalk. It was here that I learned how to ask for what I needed from my physician and DME. I learned how to make masks and machines work better. I learned how to collect and use data. I got encouragement and did not feel alone. At cpaptalk.com I could laugh and cry with a huge, extended community.

For those of you who are starting out or who are struggling, hang onto your hope and determination. It gets easier and better with each passing year. Now, my mask is almost like a second skin and my therapy works so well I have the energy to do all that dang work I mentioned above.

JZ

PS -- Here is a special shout out to cpap.com. Thanks for sponsoring this incredible forum. Thanks also for making it possible for me to never darken the doorway or line the pockets of a bricks and mortar DME again.

[Junebug999]

Thank you for posting JZ.....tonight will be nite 4 for me, and I don't think I would have made it at all without this forum. It's always good and encouraging to hear from those who have been successful! People taught you, they taught us, I passed the info forward today to a gal who cut my hair who said her husband stops breathing when he snores.......sooooo....Happy anniversary -- and don't be a stranger. I'm sure you have much wisdom to pass on to use newbiew!

[robysue]

Agreeing with junebug. I'm glad to hear your success story --- particularly since the beginning was tough.

I'm not sure I'd have made it this far (only night 9 tonight) with out this forum and a full data machine.

[Jere]

Congratulations!

I just glanced at my profile and realized (with a shock) that I passed the 5 year mark sometime in August. Considering how tough the beginning was, It is amazing to me that CPAP has become second nature. I recently left the power cord behind when we went on a cruise and those 3 nights WITHOUT my machine were as bad as the first week getting started.

It may seem difficult to believe at first, but eventually you can't live with out it ("it" being CPAP and this board).

[Moby]

Congratulations!

And ditto what you say about this wonderful forum!

[Muse-Inc]

4 years -- congrats, quite a testimony! Just starting my 4th & like you, love this forum!

[elena88]

thats fabulous, happy fourth and very successful anniversary!

[sleepydawn]

It's so great to hear success stories! I am pushing 3 1/2 years on CPAP, a mandibular adjuster and APAP. I am finally coming into a more promising future with APAP. I never would have stuck with looking for ways to treat my apnea without the collective knowledge here. This place has been be a life changing resource for many.

[rested gal]

Way to go, JZ. Good to "see" you again.

Thanks for coming back to let us know how it's going for you. And not least of all, thanks for presenting your encouraging story to new CPAP users, and offering these words of support:

For those of you who are starting out or who are struggling, hang onto your hope and determination. It gets easier and better with each passing year.