Is it time to give up on CPAP?

[idamtnboy]

This is partially a rant (for which I apologize) and partially a call for help. What should I do? I can't just tough it out forever in the hope that I'll magically begin to tolerate CPAP. What can I do to make CPAP less horrible? Or, should I just give up and pursue an oral appliance or surgery? When is it time to say "I gave it my best and I can't do this anymore?" Thanks in advance for all of your thoughts.

No need to apologize for the rant. In fact I salute your willingness to sound off. It demonstrates the fact you really do care about all this.

There's nothing magical about it. For some here it has been one hell of a struggle, for others much less so. As some have already said it may take months to become "one" with the hose and mask. You have gotten in the posts above, and will continue to get, much good advice so I won't add any. But I do, with empathy, strongly urge you to stick it out for a year, and then revisit the question. If, after a year, you still are not successfully adapted to the CPAP therapy, you have every right to question whether or not it's worth it. But, as harsh as it may sound, you haven't earned that right quite yet. In due time you will either be successful with the therapy, or will know in your heart it's not for you and you will not need affirmation from any of us to stop.

You know, I just reread what I wrote above, and admit to being a little bit troubled by my own words. We could easily get into a philosophical discussion about personal rights, and what limitations there are on them. In one sense you have a personal right to stop therapy now if you want, just like I have a right to shoot myself in the head anytime I want. But do we really, when we start looking at that action in the context of what others have done for us, what that action would do to those whom we have accepted into our realm of responsibility, and how that action may impact promises and commitments for the future we have made to others, either implicitly or explicitly? We may not always be aware of it, but we live our lives in a fashion that molds around us, and in us, certain expectations for the future. As we generate more and more expectations from others about what we are committed to do, we simultaneously reduce our rights to indiscriminately act for our own selfish desires.

Sorry if this is all a little off the wall, and more philosophical than what your questions deserves, but I just can't help sharing it.

[ozze_dollar]

Sounds a lot like me.I take some valerian and I sleep for 4 hours. Thats it. If I get up and take 1/2 ativan I will sleep another 4 hours. I am pretty good with the mask as its been 8 months now. I dont think you ever are fully happy with a mask but my compliance is100%.
You know if I pay $4000 for a machine I am gonna god dam use it.

If I have had a few drinks I sleep pretty good.

Try not to sleep during the day.

I find the mask can be a little annoying during the first hour but from then on I wouldnt know its there.

Good luck.

[Guest]

I wonder if you might benefit from rational emotive behavioral therapy or something similar. You've locked yourself unnecessarily into a negative psychological perspective, and until that changes, you probably do not have any hope of learning to tolerate the mask.

You had a few victories and offer that as evidence of trying to make this work. Then you go on to say that you can't get to sleep with the mask on without Ambien. I really don't think lying there every night with a negative attitude trying to force yourself to accept this therapy constitutes trying very hard. It may constitute trying pretty hard to fail, but it does not constitute trying to succeed.

In order for therapy to work for me, I had to solve probably hundreds of problems such as you describe. You've given up after solving 3 or 4. That's not enough effort.

You are looking for permission to quit therapy. You don't need our permission. However, I sense that you are also wondering if maybe you are wrong about quitting.

I think you should definitely quit what you are doing, because it's not working. Most likely CPAP therapy IS the best answer for you, but until you change your psychological perspective, you probably won't be able to make it work. Get a grip, take a new look at the problem, be genuinely open to a few suggestions. I see far too many people come to this board and appear to have an attitude of "I'm going to give that suggestion a false try so I can say that I tried it and it didn't work."

[mesleepingagain]

i "stuck" with it for 4 years...all the reading were fine. no explanations for the chronic sinus infections, ruptured eardrums, vertigo, loss of hearing in one ear, 2 type of tinnitus ...always was something else. after 4 years of 100% compliance I gave up and addressed the one thing the pros were ignoring...15 pounds of air pressure blowing into my head couldnt be a good thing. Last week I put the cpap away in the drawer, I sleep no worse without it. within 24 hours hearing returned, tinnitus greatly relieved, sinus clearing up...sometimes you know whats best for you

[chunkyfrog]

This treatment is used on some newborns every day.
The effects you attribute to cpap are preposterous.
If a child can take it, maybe you need to see a different type of specialist!

[OkyDoky]

mesleepingagain doesn't sound like a CPAPer in the first place. It is cm H2O not pounds.

[palerider]

mesleepingagain doesn't sound like a CPAPer in the first place. It is cm H2O not pounds.

yah, 15 pounds (per square inch) would cause your chest to explode like .... well, a big red messy explody thing.

[bv1800]

The ambien was probably to give your subconscious a chance to get used to the mask, but it sounds like it needs a bit of extra help.

You can try wearing your mask when you're awake, reading a book, watching TV etc. to help get used to wearing the mask without the stress-inducing effort to get to sleep.

When you are trying to sleep and can't for subjectively too long, don't lie there trying to force your subconscious into submission. Get up and do something else quiet until you've calmed down and gotten sleepy (as opposed to tired) again and then try again when you're ready. Repeat as necessary.

X2 on wearing the mask to attempt to get used to it. It was a HUGE aid when I started using the CPAP machine and is part of my nightly routine.

I would also say that your last point, in this quote may include the 1st one (read a book, etc). If I'm having trouble with mask issues, I have to re-acclimate myself to the mask or I have trouble sleeping with it.

JStan, this may be an absurd idea, but instead of using something as strong as ambien, have to tried a mild over the counter med like Benedryl? It knocks me out for a long time and was a great aid, in my first couple months of CPAP therapy.

In any event, don't give up yet. You've come too far in this journey to quit, now.

[RicaLynn]

Zombie thread, dredged up by a troll. Move along folks, nothing to see here...