About to start CPAP

Hi! So I'm about to start using a CPAP tonight. I'm a little emotional about it all.
I was tested at 135 events per hour - which is almost a relief, now I know why I'm so exhausted all the time.
They also told me that this will stop me snoring (at which point I started crying)
Anyway, I'm now off to stalk the forums.

I'd love to hear how using a CPAP has changed your lives

12 years later I'm still alive, take two chill pills, XPAP isn't Cancer. Jim

Hi Crocodile,

Welcome! I was quite emotional as well when I discovered I had OSA, mainly because it was a huge shock to me. You have very severe OSA so yes, what relief to discover that there is an end to your exhaustion.

For some people the change is almost immediate, then for others it takes more time. I was one of those who had no clue just how much of a toll OSA was taking on my body, and it was only after about 4 months or so of being on CPAP that I started to really notice the physical and psychological changes.

If you have any questions or issues post them here, don't be shy! Read as many threads as possible and take control of your treatment. Unfortunately there is often little help from the medical community and so you need to look out for yourself.

There is a thread pinned to the top of the forum that has hundreds of posts written by folks who tell their story of success with CPAP. When I was first diagnosed I spent many hours reading that thread and it really helped me a lot.

Crocodile wrote:I'd love to hear how using a CPAP has changed your lives

Go to Announcements at the top of the home page and read this thread -

Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.

Congratulations on Beginning treatment.
I am a long-term CPAP patient, soon be for 30 years. The treatment has been a genuine blessing to me. Rested far better, not fatigued every afternoon, no longer have morning headaches, quit having nightmares of drowning. There are multiple benefits!
My big warning though, is not giving up on compelling yourself to use the mask and machine. Actually, the machine was never any real problem, but I did have a hard time getting to tolerate my mask. Present day masks are FAR more comfortable than what I experienced in 1988!!

You may have to try two or three mask styles to find what works best for you. My personal best choice mask is the ResMed Activa, though I realize that mask acceptability is an individual choice thing.
But above all, don't be discouraged and give up on using your equipment.!!
TheDuke