I still hate my cpap machine but....

[Alshain]

The good news is... it only gets BETTER from here.

[greg-g]

CPAP, the ultimate in love hate relationships!!!!
I wish I didn't love it but I do.

[Pugsy]

Back when I first started treatment I remember reading people saying they "loved" their machine and mask.
Wondered if I would ever get to that point because I really didn't like it.

2 1/2 years later, do I love it? Nope. Do I like it? Nope. I accept that this is simply something I have to use to maintain good health and hopefully prevent any number of serious health problems.
Do I hate it? No, I suppose I don't hate it but I was lucky and my adjustment to the machine was not particularly difficult and the pressures I need aren't nearly as high as some people must use.

I would rather not use it but I have no choice. Desats to 73% scared the crap out of me and that alone is enough to keep me faithfully chugging along this road. To do without it really isn't a wise choice so here I am. I don't like having to use it but since I do, I am thankful that this therapy is available and not any more difficult than it is. There are much worse things in life to have to deal with than this little machine and the mask being stuck to my face.

I have always thought that the mind is the most powerful drug of all. If we look for negatives...guess what we will find in abundance? Yep, negatives but if we look for positives we can also find those. Positives are so much healthier for mind and body. They are just sometimes harder to see but they are there.

[cnew]

Isn't it a sad comment on the state of the medical mafia in this country that you have to go to a free website to get help instead of getting useful help from the people who are raking in obscene amounts of money for providing the equipment to you?

It sure is! But I'm very happy to have found this group, and I'm happy for you, Kat! It really sounds like you have turned a corner.

[ems]

So happy to read that things are getting better for you! I'm kind of a newbie also... started this past July. It really does get easier and automatic... like brushing your teeth... sort of.

[xenablue]

WOO HOOOO!!

I'm so happy you've had such a huge change in your sleep in such a short time, Kat!

It makes all the tough love you get from this bunch so worth while...

Hugs,
xena

[ThirdOutOfFive]

So happy for you! I still am not the biggest fan of sleeping with a hose, but I am doing it, anyway. I am really beginning to feel alert in the morning. Sure beats waking up feeling like a zombie!
Keep us posted, please.

[Starlette]

*high 5 Kat!*, in fact make that *high 10 Kat!*

[SleepyT]

Kat,

I missed your other thread...then I caught a glimpse of it....but wasn't about to slog thru all those pages....still.... I gather it was a doozey! Sometimes we go kicking and screaming! Well, I'll say this about using CPAP. Dori (and Yoda) have it right. There is no try...only do or do not.

I deliver for FedEx. I popped into a coffee shop on my break the other day...the owner asked me how it was going...and I mentioned the rain outside...and he said...you know, you can work in it or not. Either one has consequences. Simple as that. CPAP is that way. If you choose to let it help you...get on board....all the way on board. Kicking and screaming is allowed at first...after that...might as well embrace it, you know? Or don't do it. Your choice. I am a MUCH better person all the way around today than 2 years ago when I started this journey. Like Pugsy, I'd rather not have to use CPAP....but I do have to.. if I want to keep my physical and mental health. I'm grateful for CPAP...Simple as that.

Good luck to you!

[peterg]

Sometimes in the morning I just dont want to get out of bed. Its just so nice with the treated air being pumped into you and I cant even feel the mask on my face.Very relaxing.

yes, I am becoming a bit of an addict myself. my mind and body knows I sleep better, feel fresher, happier, all good stuff. its an addiction I can live with (as long as the power supply holds out)

I'll modify the OT's title

I still hate my cpap machine but I love the mask,
we suck face ALL night EVERY night and also during daytime siestas.

the mask is your friend
the mask is your friend
the mask is your friend
the mask is your friend

[Ldrakekat]

I"m with you Pugsy. I can't imagine ever liking this let alone loving it. But I do love my sleep. I guess it's going to take me awhile to get use to having a mask clamped to my face every night. Still doing some kicking and screaming mentally. And I still resent having to do it. But I got a lot of work done these past few days which is more than I felt capable of in the past few weeks so hallalujah for the great suggestions on this board!

[Madalot]

I"m with you Pugsy. I can't imagine ever liking this let alone loving it. But I do love my sleep. I guess it's going to take me awhile to get use to having a mask clamped to my face every night. Still doing some kicking and screaming mentally. And I still resent having to do it. But I got a lot of work done these past few days which is more than I felt capable of in the past few weeks so hallalujah for the great suggestions on this board!

If it helps at all - and I'm being 100% truthful here...

Sometimes when I wake up, I have to reach up with my hand to FEEL my mask on my face to make sure it's still on. I've gotten that used to having it on my face that I don't always feel it there.

I never in a million years would have believed that when I first started all of this...

[Resister]

I"m with you Pugsy. I can't imagine ever liking this let alone loving it. But I do love my sleep. I guess it's going to take me awhile to get use to having a mask clamped to my face every night. Still doing some kicking and screaming mentally. And I still resent having to do it. But I got a lot of work done these past few days which is more than I felt capable of in the past few weeks so hallalujah for the great suggestions on this board!

I think it makes most a while to get used to it. I'm about 4 months in and not loving it--BUT--sleeping without it feels wrong because I KNOW the damage it's doing. My dad is about a year ahead of me, and still making the adjustment, trying to learn to sleep through the entire night.

It's a journey, but worth it when you stop to consider the consequences. At this point, I'm thankful to have found out while I'm young enough to keep from doing more damage, and to enjoy more life fully rested.

Congratulations on 4 hours! That's a great start

[Ldrakekat]

i know it sounds crazy but the thought of getting use to this makes me nervous. I have no idea why.

[ems]

i know it sounds crazy but the thought of getting use to this makes me nervous. I have no idea why.

It doesn't sound crazy to me... I remember feeling the exact same way. What got me past it was knowing the alternative. I remember looking at myself in the mirror and starting to freak out, and had to calm myself down. In my mind I looked like someone in the hospital with tubes coming out. Not a wonderful sight.

I can only tell you that after a few months, I started to settle down. When I look in the mirror now, I see someone with a CPAP mask on... and it's okay. It's been around four months now, and I sleep so much deeper and feel a lot better during the day. Of course, I'm still looking for more improvement and think that will happen.

Just keep keeping on... the nervousness will be replaced with starting to feel better, and that will make all the difference.