Does cpaptalk.com help?

[Rodney_D]

Just curious, who struggles with cpap ,or hasn't improved yet, but sticks with it because of the advice and stories on cpaptalk.com?

[SnoozyQ]

I stick with it, bc the alternative will always be worse than the worst day on CPAP.

I like this site as a source of support, which is lacking in my real world. I like being able to vent or celebrate with people that get it, as well as seeking advice from people with real life CPAP experience.

[rested gal]

On the other side of the coin, I took to CPAP relatively easily and improved immediately... but I stick with CPAPtalk because I simply like learning more and more and more about this fascinating thing called "sleep." I also like finding out more about "sleep disordered breathing" and the very different machines used to treat various kinds of sleep disordered breathing. Interesting stuff, to me.

Even though I can be comfortable and get perfectly good treatment with plain CPAP at one pressure, reading this forum lets me continue to learn about machines, masks and tips/tricks to keep making this kind of therapy be even more comfortable. I'm big into "comfort." So that keeps me coming back to read, read, read...and keep on learning.

[SleepyT]

On the other side of the coin, I took to CPAP relatively easily and improved immediately... but I stick with CPAPtalk because I simply like learning more and more and more about this fascinating thing called "sleep." I also like finding out more about "sleep disordered breathing" and the very different machines used to treat various kinds of sleep disordered breathing. Interesting stuff, to me.

And you like to help the rest of us....and (speaking for them), we appreciate your assistance!

[BlackSpinner]

On the other side of the coin, I took to CPAP relatively easily and improved immediately... but I stick with CPAPtalk because I simply like learning more and more and more about this fascinating thing called "sleep." I also like finding out more about "sleep disordered breathing" and the very different machines used to treat various kinds of sleep disordered breathing. Interesting stuff, to me.

Even though I can be comfortable and get perfectly good treatment with plain CPAP at one pressure, reading this forum lets me continue to learn about machines, masks and tips/tricks to keep making this kind of therapy be even more comfortable. I'm big into "comfort." So that keeps me coming back to read, read, read...and keep on learning.

Same here. When I was so blessed to get my cpap and feel soooo much better quickly I felt the need to stick around and help others find the joy and blessings in this treatment.

[dtsm]

On the other side of the coin, I took to CPAP relatively easily and improved immediately... but I stick with CPAPtalk because I simply like learning more and more and more about this fascinating thing called "sleep." I also like finding out more about "sleep disordered breathing" and the very different machines used to treat various kinds of sleep disordered breathing. Interesting stuff, to me.

Even though I can be comfortable and get perfectly good treatment with plain CPAP at one pressure, reading this forum lets me continue to learn about machines, masks and tips/tricks to keep making this kind of therapy be even more comfortable. I'm big into "comfort." So that keeps me coming back to read, read, read...and keep on learning.

My therapy is working well, no plans to make any major changes with cpap machine or masks. But I continue read it for two reasons:

1. to give back to those who might need the same help I needed when I first started

2. And so that I don't miss any pearls of wisdom from good folks like rested gal

[Hawthorne]

"Ditto" to what Restad Gal said about her reasons for coming to the forum! "Ditto" also to what others said about how helpful she is on the forum!

Please, please stay around Rested Gal!

[Suetois]

Yes, I think cpaptalk.com is very helpful. I'm having some trouble getting everything to work properly, and the advice I'm getting here is invaluable. I think I'd be pretty discouraged by now if I couldn't come here and see that I still have a zillion different things I can try.

These kids are driving me bats! We're having a snow day, and they've stopped up the toilet. Again. Argh! Don't they know that I'm trying to hang out online for awhile??

Sue

[DoriC]

I've said in previous posts that I'm convinced my disabled husband was losing his will to live with his declining health and quality of life. As the caregiver for his cpap therapy and very little input from him or the medical community I had to learn fast. I was actually blessed to have found this forum one week before he was to get his equipment and was then able to refuse the M Series PLUS machine the DME brought and "insist" on a data-capable auto and the proper mask fit. After lots of questions here and a few familiar 2x4's but lots of support and encouragement from the "experts", we have settled into successful therapy with a few minor tweaks now and then. Im still learning here every day and try to help others in any small way I can. Maybe some day I can be an "assistant" to Rested Gal!

[jbn3boys]

I am most definitely struggling, but I am still here. If it were not for cpaptalk.com, I would have resigned myself to being miserable with a machine that is not treating my actual problem. With the help of the wonderful folks here, I tried several different things with my first machine, and then insisted that I be able to see a "real" sleep doctor. I am now on my second type of machine, still struggling, but determined to keep struggling, as opposed to giving up. I WILL get this to work. It's just going to be a journey to discover just the right kind of therapy. This forum is a place for me to come and get advice, support, and "cheerleading" when I need it. I also love to help others who are struggling with any information that I have already gleaned from being here. I love that this is a community of people helping each other, and those that "have it figured out" don't just drop off the forum, but stay to help the others who are struggling. It's a true blessing! (and a rare find these days, I believe!)

[robysue]

Short version of answsers:

My adjustment to xPAP has been (and continues to be) very difficult.

I am sticking with xPAP because the alternatives appear to be even worse.

I have stuck with cpaptalk.com because:

• There seems to be no in-person patient support group for people with CPAP-adjustment problems in the WNY area that my sleep doctor's office can identify for me and I need a support group.
  
  Cpaptalk.com has provided me a very valuable place to vent and rant and write about my problems. My hubby has needed me to have such a place as much as I have. It's also been important that cpaptalk.com is uncensored.
  
  While the feedback from other posters has occasionally been outright ludicrous (can anybody say Calist?), the vast majority of feedback has been offered with respect and with the kindest of intentions. Many suggestions have been remarkably on target for helping me over my difficulties and other times the feedback has simply been the kind of sympathy and empathy I craved at the time I posted when I was at some of my lowest emotional and physical points in my difficult adjustment.
  
  As I have grown in my own knowledge and insight about both sleep apnea and xPAP (and especially how xPAP and insomnia can combine into a particularly hard combination to deal with), I have also wanted to be able to give back to a community that has given so much to me.

[xenablue]

I've been compliant since Day 1 - actually my second night I ditched the mask after less than 2 hours, but apart from that it's been on all night, every night.

Yes, I struggle with it - I hate sleeping with this thing strapped to my face and being dependent on a machine.

I'm still waiting for the 'magic morning' when I wake up and spring out of bed loving my mask and feeling awesome, but after reading so much here I'm willing to be patient. I do feel better during the day, but still start to drag from mid-afternoon, but my stats are what keep me at it as much as coming here. When I compare my PSG results with my less than 1.0 AHI every night I KNOW it's worth the effort.

YES, cpaptalk.com helped/helps me immensely! I'm still a 3-month newbie, so every day I come here because there's always something I want to know or learn. The wonderful people here have addressed my own issues when I haven't been able to find answers elsewhere. I just hope that I will be able to give back a little of what I've been given here.

I also hate that I have diabetes and have to test several times per day, take shots, changed my eating habits and exercise more, HOWEVER - due to these illnesses I am now thinner, healthier, happier, less grumpy and more alert than before both of these diagnoses.

Cheers,
xena

[cortez356]

Helpful is an uderstatement!! Without this forum I never would have gone on CPAP therapy. There are just so many experienced users who really try to help everyone! Even the smart as--s get help. Where else can you get help from some of the engineer types that are present on this forum? Where else do you have the sensitive persons who provide sympathy and support? Sleep Docs should provide the URL of this forum on the prescription pad!!!!!!

Bob

[nanwilson]

This is the ONLY help I have had over the past 10 months. The DME sent me home with my equipment the first day with the admonishment "Do Not change your pressure". Haven't heard from them since. If it wasn't for the good people (angels) on this site I would have chucked it in the first month.
You have been my help ever since, therefore I feel the need to chime in from time to time and help others that are in the same boat I was in 10 months ago. You all deserve many hugs and thank you's in my estimation.
HUG, HUG!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
Cheers
Nan

[Myolin]

After a 7 months struggle, just as I was to give up, I found cpaptalk. Here I am with more energy, sleeping 6-7 hrs by night. I went back to the Mirage Swift™ LT for Her Nasal Pillow mask. Everything is not perfect but so I am optimistic. I am lacking time for the moment but I will come back hoping to help others.

Thanks to all, take care.