Is all this really worth it?

[deadhead]

Naturally people would come here to troubleshoot issues so I understand that the negative aspects of CPAP treatment would be more heavily represented in this forum, but after a week of reading about all the issues people have, I'm wondering how worth it all of this trouble really is.

I'm often tired but I've been managing it for years before I knew what sleep apnea was or that I average 55 incidents an hour. And I'm aware of the higher risk of heart issues and other nasties. And maybe I'm being stupid, but the thought of wearing a mask for the remaining third of my life and the probable issues I'm going to have with mask fittings, irritations, rainout, BPA, adjusting, travelling, and everything else (not to mention the significant cost for me as a self-employed Canadian) doesn't exactly make me want to rush out and get started.

I'm very curious about what noticeable differences if any you have experienced in yourself and how long before it got noticed? I know everyone is different but I want to know what I might expect when I go through with this (as I probably will).

I appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

[Wulfman]

Let me ask ya somethin'......"deadhead".......

Do you think all of us (who have been successfully using this therapy for some time and HAVE been realizing the benefits) would be desperately trying to help those of you new users get this figured out and be successful with YOUR therapy.......if we didn't think it was worth it??????

Den

[Goofproof]

By being proactive in your treatment, you will see better health. By swimming in DeNile, you will have poorer health, but maybe, less time to enjoy your failing health.

What's you life and health worth to you, to the other people in your life. 1/3 of my life on the hose isn't much of a problem to live with, I plan on sleeping through it. You just have to figure out your needs from life, it's hard to meet your needs if you die or stroke out. Jim

[Guest]

To some it may not be worth it.

I spent 4 months in a place that teaches stroke victims how to deal with their disabilities. Imagine trying to live the rest of YOUR life with only half of your body.

How do you wash your hands with one hand?
Write a check?
Tie your shoes?
Go up the stairs with 1 leg?
Things we ALL take for granted.

For me, I would rather drop from a massive heart attack than live a prolonged life of agony. I know that's what motivated me. But hey it's your call.

I don't want to burden my children or anyone else.

[DoriC]

My husband is not a youngster anymore but he hated his quality of life being sleepy and tired all the time, and for how many years he has left he his determined to make them the best possible. So we embarked on this journey together a month ago and are determined to see it through although it hasn't been easy but we're already seeing some progress. I told my husband today that he is my HERO!

[Blackneto]

short answer:
Yup.

it's worth it.

Improved relationships with my family.
clearer head
less frustration.

[sparkinson]

I was diagnosed a week and a half ago with OSA after struggling to find why I was so tired for the last 18 months. I can't wait to pickup my gear tomorrow, and have pushed everyone from my family doctor to the sleep center really hard to get appointments asap.

After my titration last night where I had some great REM sleep, I was able to sit in my 3.5 year old's "den" today and pretend their were monsters coming to chase us (don't get me wrong, I am still knackered and some of it will be feeling excited about the forth coming treatment, but it made a difference )! I haven't been able to live or play like that for months. Its such a simple thing. For me, I'd live with so much worse than a few minor irritations compared to the zombie I am / have been for so long. I just want to make it up to my son, daughter and wife. Maybe it depends on each persons unique personal situation, but I can't really imagine such a minor OSA that the sacrifices aren't worth it.

Simon.

[DreamStalker]

This treatment gave me at least 10 more years of "quality" life up front.

I would gladly do it all over again even for twice the effort, time, and money.

[kteague]

Sorry, no short version here.

During the years I was just a little too sleepyheaded and more forgetful, I doubt anyone could have convinced me of the seriousness of untreated OSA. By the time I was sleeping on my job for hours each day, sitting upright at the computer with my hand never falling off the mouse, I knew it was serious. Coworkers reported me sending nonsensical emails I didn't remember sending. I fell asleep in meetings - that I was conducting.

Physically, I had developed high blood pressure and diabetes and being so exhausted, gave up all activity and packed on the pounds. Finally had to give up cooking because I was likely to cause a fire.

Falling asleep at the wheel - yeah, I took notice of that. And what really scared me was the spells of losing time. Early one Saturday morning I went to pick up paint at a hardware store. When I heard my cell phone ringing I was sitting in the parking lot of the store. It was my daughter wondering what was taking me so long. I had been asleep in that parking lot from the time it opened until early afternoon and had never entered the store. That's just one of the times. It's a wonder I was never harmed.

The problem with waiting after we know what we need to do is it may end up being too little too late. I have made absolutely tremendous progress. I'm no longer ever aware of the thin veil between life and death and wondering if this will be the day I don't have the strength to get back up one more time. I can cook and drive short distances safely (I am careful to pick my "good' time of day). Some days I even make it to water aerobics. I live what is a new "normal" for me, but I am grateful even with my limitations because I've lived through a valley darker than I can even describe.

Would it have been worth it to have been treated years sooner? Let's see, can I even count the cost of having to give up my career and my independence at age 54 - and what's the value of my life and health? Don't bank on doing something when it gets bad enough - we know what bad banking looks like, when a smoke and mirrors investment faces the test of reality.

Yeah, I'm more than a little passionate about this. Damaging one's health with sleep apnea is so UNNECESSARY! It's bad enough that the medical community is just starting to think sleep apnea before saying to just eat right, exercise more and take a pill for your depression. But when one is fortunate enough to have been born in this time of increasing awareness and to even get a diagnosis, making a conscious decision to do nothing leaves one without excuse when it all crashes. But I'd get no pleasure out of saying "I told you so". My pleasure comes in seeing others move to a place of commitment to their treatment and avoiding taking my path. I'd rather be taking a nap than writing "words of wisdom", but it's worth it to me to come here and do this. It's my way of giving back in honor of those here who pulled me along with my heels dug in resisting and making excuses all the way.

Kathy

[grandmajoy]

Yes, it's worth it. I knew it was, but really found out today. Before I started cpap I was tired a lot, snored a lot, and was pretty forgetful. But I didn't realize how bad it was until they had a hard time waking me up from a colonoscopy. Had a sleep study and found out my oxygen levels were under 76% when I slept. So, I started treatment along with oxygen. I have mild OAS, but it's better now, no snoring and not so forgetful; and today I found out the treatment is working so well, I don't have to use the oxygen anymore. What does that mean to me? Sure a big, loud, piece of equipment will be gone from my bedroom. BUT, most importantly, I know I can continue to enjoy my two grandchildren and will be able to enjoy the three that are on the way.

Not everyone has big problems with cpap. I'm a beginner, and have had few issues. Thanks to this forum, I've been able to figure things out and move on. I suggest you do the same.

[birdshell]

Deadhead,

I want to share some of my thoughts and experiences with you. I notice that you are asking before you move on. Here are some of my observations for your consideration. If they don't apply to you, then you can always disregard that one.

<snip>

I'm often tired but I've been managing it for years before I knew what sleep apnea was or that I average 55 incidents an hour.

I would guess you were managing it poorly. You are aware that sleep deprived drivers are as impaired as drunk drivers? There are other reasons, but for me...that is enough. So, if you wouldn't drink alcohol and then drive, what about having slept poorly and driving?

And I'm aware of the higher risk of heart issues and other nasties.

Do you have a family? Or at least someone who loves you and cares about you. They may want to buy a boatload of life insurance on you, to sustain them after you have "passed" on cpap and on living. I am not exaggerating.

55 episodes per hour is nearly one per minute. Would this be a demonstration of that fact? Try holding your breath and exhaling every minute while awake. I wonder how long it would take to feel a bit "off" mentally?

And maybe I'm being stupid, but the thought of wearing a mask for the remaining third of my life

You are being smart to consider this before starting. It can be a barrier for some folks.

For me, I just couldn't wait to be feeling at all better AND to sleep less than 12-14 hours a day. So, a third of my life with a mask and hose, vs. sleeping over half of it away? I didn't have to think TOO much about the answer.

and the probable issues I'm going to have with mask fittings, irritations, rainout, BPA, adjusting, travelling, and everything else

It seems that you really have done your homework. You started out saying that you realized we see more complaints here because of human nature--we are more likely to complain than to praise. However, guess what? It doesn't seem that we all have ALL of the problems. In fact, probably very few of us have all of the problems that are discussed here, but you have listed ones that affect most of us.

It is a pain to pack, for example. However, at least when I get somewhere, I am better able to enjoy the experience and to learn (if the trip is for something professional that I am attending). Even if I am going to visit family, then I am able to spend more time with them than sleeping, and that time is of better quality than before I used CPAP.

(not to mention the significant cost for me as a self-employed Canadian) doesn't exactly make me want to rush out and get started.

Good point, because these things certainly can seem to be expensive. I would like to submit for your consideration that NOT treating your condition can be expensive, too. For example, how much is the deductible for your auto insurance, if you have an accident caused by sleepiness? How about the loss at your residence caused by forgetting to turn off a burner on the stove or to blow out a candle?

I was fortunate enough to have excellent insurance, but I can understand that financial considerations are important. Are you aware that there are some lower cost machines that have recently come onto the market? And what about cpapauction.com? There are some good deals there. Depending on your situation, they may be useful resources to keep in mind.

I'm very curious about what noticeable differences if any you have experienced in yourself and how long before it got noticed? I know everyone is different but I want to know what I might expect when I go through with this (as I probably will).

I am glad to see that last part..."(as I probably will)" I hope that you will. My thoughts are that you will not be sorry. Of course, if you try CPAP, you could always quit if you feel that it truly isn't for you. However, look at how many different people on this forum have managed to adapt quite successfully to their treatment?

It is my feeling that the VAST majority of us who start therapy continue it. I suspect that if one gets used to using the equipment, one will discover the benefits and will continue. Of course, the next issue will contribute to that decision, won't it?

As to the question of how long it takes to feel better, here is a link to something under the yellow lightbulb that I wrote which answers that question:

Thoughts on Improvement

This is the section under the yellow lightbulb that contains the above posting. There are other things here that may be of interest to you:

Help for New or Struggling Users

I appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

You are more than . I am glad that you are asking questions now; you are doing your due diligence by investigating before you buy/rent your cpap machine.All the best to you, and I look forward to reading your posts where you answer your own questions for us, and for the benefit of others.

Karen,
Who is much better with CPAP

[Georgio]

I put it off as long as possible....until I was completely dysfunctional at times. I had given up all the things I love in life. So I finally turned to CPAP and these kind folks for help. After 4 weeks I can feel a big improvement and am riding my motorcycle and bicycle again and making plans again!

Yesit's worth it, you don't have to die from lack of sleep! Now CPAP is just sort of like a "hobby"!

Georgio

[Marietjie]

Good day - deadhead - you ask........noticeable differences....how long before it got noticeable? ? ? IMMEDIATELY. I started with cpap 2 years ago and after a few nights stopped the therepy BUT then (now 5 months ago) I experienced lots of heart palputations (not a nice experience) and knew I MUST start with cpap therapy. Well, after the very first night, my heart palputations are gone. I'll never stop cpap therapy again !!!
The other day I saw an old friend of mine, trying to recover from a STROKE. Oh, my goodness, doen't look too good. PLEASE, deadhead, be nice to your health and start cpap therapy - Have a nice day - Marietjie, South Africa

[MichelleFL]

Hiya deadhead. I am new here and cannot comment on what the after affects are of using a cpap.. But I have many, many years experience with health issues and I know most of these will be improved with the cpap machine. I have had such tiredness since I was a teenager and I am now 42. Last year was the worst for me and I was so tired that I had to force myself to stay awake while driving. Hardly no focus at work and this is also why I am not into a management position as I should be because people see me as stupid. Actually I am not stupid but not being able to concentrate, focus, make good decisions has ruined any chances I had. I also suffer with diabetes, fibromyalgia/arthritis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, irregular heartbeat/borderline high BP, overweight and not because I stuff my mouth all day long either, in fact I hardly eat but still the weight is there. Anyhow my list goes on and on and on of symptoms. Go through the troubles and trials to get it working for you, who knows what lies ahead healthwise. If I had found out about this when I was a teen, who knows? Maybe I would not have so many problems right now.. Best wishes to you!

[deadhead]

These are all very profound and convincing posts. I appreciate the time you have all taken to share your opinions and experience with me. I knew I was going to go forward with it but I've been just a little hesitant. This is all very new to me.

"Is all this really worth it?" is obviously a dumb question. Really, I think was trying to set expectations with myself.

Thank you all very much!