CPAP Alteanatives

[leo221]

Hi,
I was recently diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and my doctor recommended that I start using a CPAP machine.
I have seen a lot of comments on social media about CPAP being difficult to get used to. Some people mention taking the mask off during the night without realizing it, feeling uncomfortable while sleeping, or eventually stopping CPAP altogether.
For those of you who have sleep apnea and use a CPAP, I would really appreciate hearing about your experience. Was it difficult at first? Did it get easier over time?
I would also like to hear from anyone who has tried alternatives to CPAP and what worked for you.

Thank you!

[zonker]

For those of you who have sleep apnea and use a CPAP, I would really appreciate hearing about your experience. Was it difficult at first? Did it get easier over time?
I would also like to hear from anyone who has tried alternatives to CPAP and what worked for you.

Thank you!

start here for success stories, while waiting for others to chime in-

viewtopic/t14494/Newbie-would-like-to-h ... lease.html

most people do have trouble getting used to it. some quit. others come here and get the help they need to adjust to their machines and flourish.

btw, as the name of the forum is CPAPTALK, there are hardly any who come in here with a cpap alternative.

good luck!

[ChicagoGranny]

I have seen a lot of comments on social media about CPAP being difficult to get used to.

You're reading the moaning and pissing of losers. Quit reading it.

Change your attitude. Believe you can do it, and you will.

If you have problems, be a problem solver. Come back here for help. No matter what happens, there are CPAP users here who experienced it, solved it, and can help you solve it.

Welcome to the forum!

[mlmollenkamp]

I've used CPAP for almost 20 years. I've not missed more than a few nights since I started. If you have severe sleep apnea CPAP is a literal life saver. There are alternatives, but if you follow the studies they brag about 40% to 70% reductions in events. That is fine for folks who have moderate apnea, a 7 or 10 AHI in a sleep study. But severe sleep apnea needs much better performance than that. My AHI in my sleep study was around 80 events per hour. It still is without a machine. My machine gets it down to about 1. An alternative treatment that is 80% effective would still leave me with severe sleep apnea. I get the appeal of alternative treatments, no one goes into this wanting to use a machine, but its still the gold standard treatment that prevents strokes, AFIB and a bunch of other terrible outcomes.

I like my brain and plan on using it for as long as possible.

[kteague]

20+ years into this journey. All the adjusting early on was worth it for how getting better sleep helped my health and cognition. Every issue I ran into, the good folks here walked me through my options. Keep in mind when you read people catastrophizing, they may have an alternative are they selling.