I'm too young and busy for this. [Rant]

[Black Shampoo]

I'm sure everyone feels this way when they start, but I just joined this board and I'm reading over all the tips and I just want to scream "I DON'T WANT A NEW HOBBY, I JUST WANT A FIX AND TO MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE." I seriously don't have time for a new hobby - and no offense, but that's what this feels like - buying all sorts of accessories from weird websites just to try to make this goddamned pain-in-the-ass machine work the way it's supposed to, researching and reading item reviews, discussing this stuff on message boards, testing out a million settings and combinations of things - I just feel like Sweet Brown - "AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!"

I'm 32. I'm busy 16 hours a day living my life in the city. I play in a band, make movies, read around 5 books a week, have a robust group of friends and dating life, worked an awesome high-level corporate management job 50 hours a week until I recently lost it and plan to get back to an equally involved position ASAP. I literally cannot imagine fitting a new "CPAP Hobby" into my lifestyle, and I resent that it appears that I have to do so now - because I hate wearing any mask, I wake up and fart like a machine gun, I'm not feeling any better after 5 months on the hose, nothing ever fits right, I get irritating leaks in the middle of the night, I get weird lines on my face and raw spots, etc. etc. etc. - it's not just going to be easy, is it? Now I have to take on this BORING medical HOBBY just to get the results I was promised by the doctor.

Jesus, just saw my head off and reattach at. I'm ready to take whatever surgical option is available.

[Lugus]

The surgical options do not have the greatest success rate and that success rate is often measured by how much the AHI decreases and not by if you are cured. Not sure how you manage to sustain your busy life with sleep apnea but good for you that you can. Would you mind telling us what kind of numbers your sleep study produced and some information as to a prognosis your doctor has given you.

[Julie]

HI... glad you feel free to rant - it does get a lot of us sometimes, especially if we're younger (like yourself), but there is lots of help. I wonder if, apart from anything else, you're wearing your mask too tight - if it's farting, that could mean the air's trying to escape someplace... though it could also mean the mask's not fitted that well for you or you need a different one (there are lots!), or that once you get it on you forget to lift it a couple of cms from the middle to allow the thin cushion part to inflate and seal properly. I also see you have a great mask - for those who it's great for, but if you e.g. breathe with your mouth open once asleep, it won't help anything but lose most of the cpap air, so you might explore the idea of a full face mask that lets you mouth breathe but doesn't let the air out.

Just think, the way technology's going these days there could be a better answer in a very few years.... it's just not here yet (and don't let them talk you into palate or tonsil surgery unless you really really need it - those things tend to revert after a year... only nasal turbinate surg. seems to pay off as far as easier breathing goes (but will not cure apnea, just about nothing will including losing weight, unless your apnea is only positional to begin with - i.e. lying on your back provokes events, sleeping on your side makes them all go 'way - though a new study would be needed to be sure of that.

Well, good luck! Suggestion if you don't mind tho', maybe try putting all your stuff in one thread to be addressed... makes it a bit easier for the rest of us to get the big picture.

[Black Shampoo]

Thanks, yeah - I just needed to let out a roar!

As for the farting, I don't mean the mask, but out of my asshole due to the forced air! It sounds like World War III in the morning.

I have both the nasal pillows (listed in my profile) and a full Mirage Quattro that I switch back and forth between depending on the state of my nose, which can get incredibly closed-off between allergies and drying out using just the pillows. I don't notice a difference after a night's sleep on either mask - I can tolerate both fine, and don't feel particularly better or worse after using either one, although the full-face is a real pain in the ass to wear.

[sleepnasta]

I'm sure everyone feels this way when they start, but I just joined this board and I'm reading over all the tips and I just want to scream "I DON'T WANT A NEW HOBBY, I JUST WANT A FIX AND TO MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE." I seriously don't have time for a new hobby - and no offense, but that's what this feels like - buying all sorts of accessories from weird websites just to try to make this goddamned pain-in-the-ass machine work the way it's supposed to, researching and reading item reviews, discussing this stuff on message boards, testing out a million settings and combinations of things - I just feel like Sweet Brown - "AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!"

I'm 32. I'm busy 16 hours a day living my life in the city. I play in a band, make movies, read around 5 books a week, have a robust group of friends and dating life, worked an awesome high-level corporate management job 50 hours a week until I recently lost it and plan to get back to an equally involved position ASAP. I literally cannot imagine fitting a new "CPAP Hobby" into my lifestyle, and I resent that it appears that I have to do so now - because I hate wearing any mask, I wake up and fart like a machine gun, I'm not feeling any better after 5 months on the hose, nothing ever fits right, I get irritating leaks in the middle of the night, I get weird lines on my face and raw spots, etc. etc. etc. - it's not just going to be easy, is it? Now I have to take on this BORING medical HOBBY just to get the results I was promised by the doctor.

Jesus, just saw my head off and reattach at. I'm ready to take whatever surgical option is available.

i hear you but it's really not that bad! i am also 32, have an active and exciting life, 3 young kids, husband, am in grad school, etc etc. cpap has done nothing but enhance my life and it's really not a chore at all.it sound like you should just give it a chance. you remind me of someone else who was on this board not too long ago. hoping it all works out for you.

[Janknitz]

I felt EXACTLY that way at first, very frustrated and made more so by my Kaiser HMO which would send me postcards telling me "You WILL be here at such and such a date and time to take part in a GROUP meeting" for every component--the sleep test, the results and getting a machine. AAARRRGGGHHH!!! I'm a busy professional in a very stressful and time pressured position, I typically work 60+ hours a week, and I did NOT have time for this. I'm a parent of two children, too. I didn't have time for this!!!!

But I made time.

Hated it, but I made time, because I knew full well I would be dead or debilitated soon if I did not. I made time because my dear husband couldn't sleep with me anymore. I made time because I wanted to see my kids grow up and meet my someday grandchildren.

And it is time consuming and annoying at first. No doubt about it.

But then, you FINALLY (took me MONTHS) get your first night of good, restful sleep, and it's like the best drug you ever took--legal or not. And you see WHY you are doing this.

And you have another good night, waking up peaceful and calm, enjoying the cool air from the machine on your face, and all day you can't wait to wake up like that again.

And then one morning you realize that you just went to bed the night before, put the mask on and fell asleep without thinking about it. It was just routine like brushing your teeth and putting on your pj's. And waking up each morning is nice, not an all out panic attack anymore. It's not taking up anymore of your precious time.

And you feel better during the day, with tons more energy. You feel well, you are well.

And if you need to lose weight, you can.

You realize you can watch a whole movie without falling asleep--I couldn't even make it through an entire half hour TV show before CPAP. You don't fear falling asleep at the wheel if you have to drive any distance.

Yes, you're too busy, but that's beside the point. Rant on, then pull up your panties and do it anyway. Someday you'll be glad you did.

[DreamStalker]

I'm sure everyone feels this way when they start, but I just joined this board and I'm reading over all the tips and I just want to scream "I DON'T WANT A NEW HOBBY, I JUST WANT A FIX AND TO MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE." I seriously don't have time for a new hobby - and no offense, but that's what this feels like - buying all sorts of accessories from weird websites just to try to make this goddamned pain-in-the-ass machine work the way it's supposed to, researching and reading item reviews, discussing this stuff on message boards, testing out a million settings and combinations of things - I just feel like Sweet Brown - "AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!"

I'm 32. I'm busy 16 hours a day living my life in the city. I play in a band, make movies, read around 5 books a week, have a robust group of friends and dating life, worked an awesome high-level corporate management job 50 hours a week until I recently lost it and plan to get back to an equally involved position ASAP. I literally cannot imagine fitting a new "CPAP Hobby" into my lifestyle, and I resent that it appears that I have to do so now - because I hate wearing any mask, I wake up and fart like a machine gun, I'm not feeling any better after 5 months on the hose, nothing ever fits right, I get irritating leaks in the middle of the night, I get weird lines on my face and raw spots, etc. etc. etc. - it's not just going to be easy, is it? Now I have to take on this BORING medical HOBBY just to get the results I was promised by the doctor.

Jesus, just saw my head off and reattach at. I'm ready to take whatever surgical option is available.

Ask your doctor if a tracheostomy is right for you.

[Sheriff Buford]

I ain't no hobby... it's your life... your health... and the answer to being able to do what you are doing a lot longer. I get less sleep now, but BETTER sleep. I feel better, but it's not time consuming. I slip on my mask at night. Fall directly to sleep, wake up, wipe my mask down... record my numbers and I'm off chasing bad guys... It really takes a few moments, but the payback is ENORMOUS! If you can read that many books, you can quickly take the time to educate yourself, then you can move on. Most newbies will spend a month or so... work out their issues, then move on. I'm about to retire and instead of chasing bad guys, I'll chase the wife around the house We have plans and are excited to start experiencing the fruits of our labor. I stick around to help newbies thru their issues and they often help me realize something I'm doing wrong (plus, I got Pugsy whacking me upside the head more often than not... ). You'll get the hang of this sooner rather than later.

Sheriff

[Todzo]

I think modern medicine has little for you. Look at the actual success rates!!!!!!!

The Chinese have been at healing a lot longer and still see HEALING as a goal rather than drug dealing or partial splint making. I would look there.

[SleepingUgly]

I'm too sexy for my CPAP.

[tqpannie]

I also have a busy job where I work many times over 70 hours a week. I am a single parent of twin teenage girls, a friend's 18 year old daughter living with me, and 3 pets. My life is insane but I also know I was dying.

Flat out dying. My co2 levels were through the roof at night because I stopped breathing so often. The worse thing I can think of is for my 15 year olds to wake up to find me dead.

It took me August through January of trying masks, and adjusting meds to be able to get the kind of sleep I do. You have no idea how much better I feel.

Gas X before bed will help with the farting when you wake up or any type of fizzy beverage will help you burp the air out instead of fart it out.

[SnorkelPuss]

You took the words right out of my mouth. I laughed really loud reading your rant. My family was staring at me like what is so funny. They probably couldn't relate. I've been doing this for 6 months. I have a fairly comfortable mask. I use that term loosely. Nothing is comfortable about this. I wouldn't mind so much if I felt better.
Anyways thanks for making me laugh! Don't give up yet. You may just have to keep trying different things until you get comfortable.

[chunkyfrog]

If only I had been diagnosed at your age. If only machines were as advanced then as they are now.
I went for decades in a haze; but all that is over. My life has new legs. I can make the most of this.
The past is gone; it is behind me.

[JohnO]

I'm sure everyone feels this way when they start, but I just joined this board and I'm reading over all the tips and I just want to scream "I DON'T WANT A NEW HOBBY, I JUST WANT A FIX AND TO MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE."

What a great post! I started on CPAP last August, and I know exactly what you mean about it being like starting a new hobby. Special web sites - comparing hardware, etc.

I could not stand the mask for the first week or so. I felt self conscious about it for about a month. It took me a couple of months to get back to falling asleep quickly. I still have nights when I toss and turn and curse the mask and hose, but overall, it is getting easier, and I clearly have eliminated any daytime sleepiness.

Key for me was getting the mask to fit without being too tight. I wish you good luck!


John

[Drowsy Dancer]

Yup, it totally sucks.

Here's the good news. It's just a learning curve. Once you figure it out (and you will figure out how to make it work for you), it becomes a part of your routine like brushing your teeth. Well, maybe not quite that simple, more like monitoring blood sugar levels if you were diagnosed with diabetes.

The big tasks are: getting used to the treatment itself, finding the mask that works best for you, and making sure your treatment is optimized (which means learning a bit about how to interpret data, made harder for you because a brick was foisted off on you).

But when you stumble onto a forum like this, it seems like there's a lot you need to start doing that you don't, necessarily. Keep in mind that some people posting have very complex medical needs, and therefore more exotic machines. Me, I just need straight pressure. I suppose a leaf blower would do me in a pinch.

After you've been buying supplies for a while, the weird websites may start interesting you more. Once you start flying with your CPAP, all the airplane threads will suddenly become riveting.