Why I love my CPAP

[Sheriff Buford]

Sheriff: Keep looking for the red light over the Krispy Kreme.

Down here in Texas we don't have Krispy Kreme and the Dunkin Donuts went bankrupt (they closed all the stores in Houston). Cramps my style.... Sheriff

[piglet14]

I' m loving my BiPAP more every night-- I was started on SleepWeaver Advanced mask by a thoughtful Lincare nurse (thoughtful and Lincare in the same sentence!).
I started with a SW élan last Tuesday -- and like the Frog says--it's the wave of the future.

In addition to other listed reasons I have to add that I have been trying hard to not go to sleep at my Bible study group-- filled with young whippersnappers-- in their fifties- I would think I was successful until I would hear someone waking up with a LOUD snort- really LOUD -- O NO! it was me-- how embarrassing-- Now I actually stay awake and participate because I want to.

I will now drive my grandkids, the nearly-5 yr old twinsters, in my car because I know we will stay in the correct lane. I was afraid to drive them before BiPAP.

And their mom- my daughter- is hooked up to CPAP, too. In time for her to not do any further damage to herself. Much to be grateful for.

Lynda

[Catherine]

Three years this month! I've not missed one night of use as I decided when I first put the mask on that, no matter what, I was going to do it...so just shut up and go to sleep. And even though I found this great forum too late to insist otherwise, I have benefited so much from my 'brick' CPAP machine. I have not been back to the sleep clinic nor spoken to anyone there, just call for replacement masks and filters when needed and they send them. I've learned everything from you fine people...thank you, thank you. I know I could learn to use a better machine and must confess that I even have a Devilbiss machine as backup but as yet haven't had it out of the box....I'm a little intimidated by E-stuff, plus I'm old. Really. One day I'll get some grandkid help and get on with it. Silly, I know.
Now, to why I love my CPAP. I have not had one sinus infection in the three years of using my machine...and I usually had more than one a year. I do not wake terrified, heart pounding, breathless and wondering if someone is in the house...I live alone...I do not dream (nightmare?)of desperately needing to 'piddle', and being unable to find a facility...many times I barely woke in time to keep from having to change the bed! I can once more drive long distances without the agony of trying to stay awake from rest stop to rest stop. And finally, I wake rested and able to think more clearly even though I'm undisciplined and needing work on my sleep hygiene...I'd rather read than exercise and clean house. I've yet to lose the extra weight but it is on my mind and the lo-carb info and discussion I find here encourages me towards clean eating...and maybe santa will bring me a exercise bike this year so I can read and move too!
All I know is, I love my CPAP, and this forum!

[chunkyfrog]

If anyone here has a daughter of child-bearing age; it would be a very good idea to rule out apnea
(or get it treated) before she starts working on grandkids.
We want to give the little peanuts the best possible chance.

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

CPAP therapy has given me back the life that I didn't even know that I was missing. Over time, the now obvious symptoms of my untreated SA/OSA, no matter how severe they were, became a normal part of my existence. That I was somehow able to make it through each day, only to be faced with the inescapable dread of another night, gasping, clawing, like an injured and dying animal, trying to somehow make it through alive, is still amazing to me! Believe it or not, though I can't for the life of me now explain why, being in complete denial was still easier in my sleep deprived brain then going to the Doctor to find out what was really going on. Living life, if I can even call it that now, life on the very edge of a tall and dangerous cliff, trying with my all might to not slip and fall into the depths below because of my many years of untreated severe SA/OSA, was somehow not as frightening as facing the real and honest truth.

So, why do I love my CPAP? Because it provides me with opportunity to wake up each morning and not die in the night! It gives me improved health and good, restorative sleep. It has given me another chance to live, really live! I am now able to be here for my family and my friends, sharing in their lives, experiencing a renewed purpose with a life that could have been tragically cut short, due to my own stupidity, denial and fear. That's why I love my CPAP!

John

[sylvie]

John, your post was absolutely beautiful. I could have written it myself.

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

John, your post was absolutely beautiful. I could have written it myself.

sylvie,

Thanks, though if you would have written it, it would have probably taken you a fraction of the time it took me. Not only do I type extremely slow, but I then read, reread, edit, and then I read, reread, edit... Ok, lets just say I am a little bit obsessive when I try to write .

John

[sylvie]

Your wording was perfect. It was my apnea history too. I feel bad about waiting so long to get it checked out too.

[Bobby269]

Sheriff here's your twinkie: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid= ... rom=R40.If you ever come through San Antonio we have Krispy Creme Donuts.

[jen4700]

It's funny how easily you forget how bad it was. (Does that make sense?)

I totally forgot about the night sweats! I definitely don't miss that!! And I don't miss the morning headaches.

[john5396]

I lave my CPAP because my wife thinks I'm sexy... And now I can stay awake...