What's the longest term user here?

[Jimmy43g]

Hi CPAP talk folks,

I was wondering if CPAP is safe very long term. I am coming up on 4 years continual CPAP use now and sometimes I wonder. I know that it's better than untreated sleep apnoea though!!

I currently have no side effects yet, just rosy cheeks in the morning! Oh sometimes I have this depleted feeling in my lungs when waking that goes away in 5 minutes - but only when I've had lots of apnoeas and the autoset has been blowing harder to treat me.

So, I figure the best way to know about long term side effects is ask for others experience. How long have you been a CPAPer and have you had any side effects? Thankyou.

[bonjour]

I have the side effects of being awake during the day and not falling asleep behind the wheel.
Since 2003

[Julie]

He's right about those things... but if you don't feel you're better, tell us what's not working (and we can help you set up software to find out more officially).

[LSAT]

I think there are several 15-20 year users that frequent this board.....Personally I am at 8+..
How could it possibly be harmful...it's helping you breathe during your sleep. People have died by having low 02 levels during sleep.

[Janknitz]

Long term side effect--being alive. Oh dear!

[grybeard77]

I'm addicted since 2006, can't live with out my sleep partner. Gonna change my CPAP monicker to Grybeard88 soon as I can.

[TangledHose]

On the hose since 2005 -- I won't sleep without xpap -- even when I travel on my motorcycle.

I remember a guy on here a couple years ago from Australia, he has been using CPAP over thirty years.......his description of getting used to using CPAP was like getting used to reading glasses. I thought he put it really well with that perspective.

[Jimmy43g]

Thanks guys, they are some long times! To clarify, I wasn't knocking CPAP at all - I love it. I think it's one of the safest and reliable medical treatments available. Tangled hose - 30 years is a long time!!!

[bonjour]

No offense intended Jimmy,
but I do have a rather sarcastic sense of humor.

Fred

[palerider]

On the hose since 2005 -- I won't sleep without xpap -- even when I travel on my motorcycle.

I remember a guy on here a couple years ago from Australia, he has been using CPAP over thirty years.......his description of getting used to using CPAP was like getting used to reading glasses. I thought he put it really well with that perspective.

cpap is lot like glasses, it just fixes the symptom, but not the cause. and if you quit using it, it's just like taking your glasses off, you can't see (breath) any better/worse than you could before you put the glasses (cpap) on.

[chunkyfrog]

Since April 15, 2010.
Sometimes it is still a novelty.
I am filled with wonder at this marvel.

[chronic]

2004

[cpapdude1]

feels good not fighting to sleep. the longest term is people who appreciate it the most.

[lanco]

2000

[Taxmantoo]

cpap is lot like glasses, it just fixes the symptom, but not the cause. and if you quit using it, it's just like taking your glasses off, you can't see (breath) any better/worse than you could before you put the glasses (cpap) on.

In my case, I think it has helped with the physical cause of my OSA.
My housemate told me, two mornings after my sleep study with titration, that I snored much less after my sleep study, which implies that CPAP use during my sleep study had a healing effect on my airway. After two months of CPAP therapy, I was able to get AHI under 1.0 with a fixed pressure 2cm below the bottom of my prescribed autopap range.