Does cpaptalk.com help?

[snuginarug]

This is the ONLY help I have had over the past 10 months.

Make that 6 months for me. I definitely would have given up without the help I have gotten here. Now I am reaping the rewards of compliant therapy. Hooray! Thank goodness for cpaptalk.com.

[Jersey Girl]

If it wasn't for cpaptalk.com I don't think that I would have stayed with my treatment or been as comfortable with it. These folks helped me to find comfort products so that I could fall asleep and encouraged me to try different masks and not to get discouraged. I also wish that the sleep docs would put this site on their prescription pads!

Regards to all,

Jersey Girl

[rosiefrosie]

Maybe some day I can be an "assistant" to Rested Gal!

I thought you already were!

Yes, cpaptalk.com does help. I have learned so much from this forum. I also was one of the lucky one's. It took a few weeks to get use to everything, but after that I felt much improvement and when I was finally able to get an autopap machine that gave me all the data I needed, things really started to improve. This site has been invaluable to me in helping me make informed choices and giving out those tried and true helpful hints.

rosie

[kteague]

While the cpap treatment aspect of my sleep issues is fairly routine, every now and then I run into an aggravation or the road will inexpilcably become not-so-smooth, and this is one place I am continually reminded me that:

...every time I think I know "enough" I find I don't
...this community holds a wealth of health care information I could never otherwise afford
...success is a reasonable expectation
...I am not alone in what I'm going through
...perseverance is a virtue
...seldom does reward precede effort
...education can give knowledge, empathy can give comfort, experience gives the gift of understanding
...no matter how bad I've got it, someone's got it worse
...that which I once received another may now be in need of - pass it along
...a friend unseen is no less a friend

[flowergal3]

Yes, and yes again, cpaptalk does indeed help! I wouldn't have a clue what to do about some of the problems I've encountered so far and all the help I need is just a search or a new post away. Thank you so much.
Kteague summed it up so well.

[DoriC]

While the cpap treatment aspect of my sleep issues is fairly routine, every now and then I run into an aggravation or the road will inexpilcably become not-so-smooth, and this is one place I am continually reminded me that:

...every time I think I know "enough" I find I don't
...this community holds a wealth of health care information I could never otherwise afford
...success is a reasonable expectation
...I am not alone in what I'm going through
...perseverance is a virtue
...seldom does reward precede effort
...education can give knowledge, empathy can give comfort, experience gives the gift of understanding
...no matter how bad I've got it, someone's got it worse
...that which I once received another may now be in need of - pass it along
...a friend unseen is no less a friend

K, Thank you for that thoughtful post, I think you've covered everything we all need to know. BTW, I think you may be giving Carbonman some competition!

[Wonka]

A big yes!!! More help than the doctors. I'm tolerating the machine with little improvement in sleep, tiredness, alertness,etc. But, I still have hope thanks to the folks here!

[Kahfree]

It has been 8 days for me on CPAP and if it were not for the help of those who are on cpaptalk.com, then I am sure I would have tossed this on day two. This board has allowed me to sound off about my situation, and so far, have not felt as though I can not complain, jump for joy or ask questions. I believe talking to those who share something in common with another person is very helpful, no matter what the common denominator is.

Thanks all!

[jazzer4]

This forum is full of angels earning their wings, of this I'm sure.

[atruvirgo]

CPAPTALK has been the best resource I have ever found!! I have received valuable information and learned about all of the "tricks" to make this crazy thing more do-able. In answer to your question YES-YES-YES!

I love cpaptalk.com!!!

Debbie

[Kiralynx]

I found this Forum before I was even diagnosed -- came here looking for suggestions for my bro-in-law who was without power in OHIO after Hurricane Ike.

I had no idea I had apnea -- I just knew I'd been dealing with hip pain since summer of 2002 which seriously interrupted my sleep. I had to wake at least twice a night to take anti-inflammatories.

Then in 2008, I had cancer surgery, including a 24" incision which was still painful nearly four months after the surgery. I was sent to a pain management doc who sent me for a sleep study. It was positive, and she told me that quite frequently, chronic pain is the result of lowered oxygen.

Back I came.... and I was glad I did. I learned about making sure I had a mask which worked for me, not whatever they felt like throwing in my direction for my titration. I learned about insisting on a data capable machine. I learned how to be a pain in the keister to my DME (who continue to deserve it).

2.25 years later, my therapy has made a difference in my pain levels. And my energy.

This group made a difference.

[msradar65]

I have been compliant since day one. I want to feel better. I want to be more functional. My transition to CPAP has been easy. I think this is partly from my own personal attitude toward my health and the rest is from this site and all I have learned.

I keep coming back because there is no local support and I have no one but this group who really understands.

[kteague]

BTW, I think you may be giving Carbonman some competition!

The only competition from me was the race to post first so I didn't have to follow him! That's the only way I could beat Carbonman at anything.

I enjoy reading everyone's expressions of their personal perspective. My own hold no surprises for me, but everyone else's are fresh and new to me.

[Cindy Lou Who]

You bet I come here to learn, for support, and for inspiration! And always log off having found all three!. When talking with someone about apnea, one of the first things I mention is cpaptalk.com. and recommend they read the New User's Guide and the Wiki. This is such a wonderful forum. I'm very glad my husband shared it with me. Sharing with others is a way of 'paying it forward.'
Cindy

[dave01978]

Yes it is a great database of knowledge