Does Anyone Hate their CPAP?

lazarus wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 01, 2022 10:45 am

KittyMom22 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 01, 2022 10:27 am

read that long-term use weakens the throat muscles

Not true.

Be careful what you read.

True. That "cpap weakens our own breathing muscles" is an old wives tale and totally not true.

It is mandibular-advancement devices that can have a negative effect on the muscles of the jaw over time.

I wouldn’t wish tmj on anyone. it sucks.

lynninnj wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 01, 2022 11:06 am

tmj

MADs don't always cause it, sometimes even help it, but it is still a significant risk for some.

At least some of the ads from some of the dentists are now being up-front about possible side-effects:

https://www.modernamericandentistry.com ... vice/14997

A friend of mine has one. Older lady (can I call pushing 80 “older”?). She’s had one for years. Her lower jaw sits in front of the upper jaw. Kinda juts out.

Maybe everyone doesn’t get tmj from it but some do and my comment still stands. I wouldn’t wish tmj on anyone.

lynninnj wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 01, 2022 11:33 am

can I call pushing 80 “older”?

Well, it would only be middle age for those who will live to 160.

lazarus wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 01, 2022 11:37 am

lynninnj wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 01, 2022 11:33 am

can I call pushing 80 “older”?

Well, it would only be middle age for those who will live to 160.

pfft I’m 53 and I remember when someone in their 50s was old. Not anymore.

lynninnj wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 01, 2022 11:40 am

53

I am glad you younger ladies of the forum are so respectful of the no-longer-quite-so-younger ladies of the forum.

Rubicon wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 29, 2022 6:28 am

KittyMom22 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 29, 2022 6:14 am

I also wonder if taking something that makes you sleepy (like Benadryl) might help?

Worst thing he could do. Diphenhydramine has a half-life of ~9 hours but is highly variable, could be even longer.

Benedryl does nothing for me...I doze off but I'm up about 3-4 hours later

See on another thread today:

zonker wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 31, 2022 12:06 pm

decker12 wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 31, 2022 11:55 am

Are you able to sleep without your machine?

no i can't. and won't. i also can't read without my glasses. or drive for that matter.

Same here.

After nearly 13 years, my airsense 10 Autoset for her is my bedtime buddy.
No bullfrogs allowed overnight in my hospital room, but my apap helped.

I enjoyed reading the positive stories, especially Janknitz's. My journey wasn't as difficult, but I can relate. I hated the idea of trying to sleep with something on my face, but was determined to make it work. My husband is the reason I got a sleep study, because he worried about my gasping for air and especially the quiet moments when I wasn't breathing at all. I went through several masks (pillows, nasal, full-face) before settling on the P10. I remember the first morning that I woke up feeling rested and hearing from my husband that I didn't wake him with my snoring and gasping for air. I thought, wow, I could get used to this. I've been using my machine for 6 years now and take it with me when we travel. It has become like an old friend and I can't imagine trying to sleep without it. So yes, there was hate initially. But I'm so glad I stuck with it.

I am also new to CPAP. I can totally relate to how you feel. I received my cpap AIrsense 11 a week ago and it was one of the worst weeks in my sleep history. I seriously tried very hard to be compliant, but FFM (full face mask) was keeping me from falling asleep and staying in sleep. After 1-3 hours, I had to get the FFM mask off to get some sleep. I hated my CPAP and wondered why I did the sleep study in the first place!

Last night I got a new mask (Brevida nasal pillow) from my DME supplier and it was a game changer. For the most part, I could sleep with this new mask on, it did not bother me at all. I read somewhere that for the new users, nasal pillow types of masks should be used (not FFM) so new users can be more compliant. I know I was ready to return my CPAP if FFM was the only option.

I also got a chin strap from a DME vendor, but I did not use it, I just used a bit of 3M surgical tape to loosely tape the middle of my lips, trying to keep them close. It seemed to do the trick for me. Perhaps, you should consider trying one of the nasal pillows if FFM does not work for you?

By the way, I was told by my DME supplier that I was within my 30 day mask guarantee period, so insurance would not be billed for the switch. check with your DME vendor to see if you can get a new mask?

Yes. CPAP is awful, most patients quit within the first year, yet for some bizarre reason people call it “The Gold Standard.” I am surprised that anyone can actually fall sleep using one.


I tried CPAP for 3 months. The sensation of something touching my face prevents me from physically being able to fall asleep. I knew this would be huge problem, as I cannot fall asleep if I am wearing a watch or my wedding ring. I told the doctor and respiratory therapist this when I was prescribed the CPAP. I feel like they didn’t believe me.

Initially I thought the sensation of the mask would be the problem- with my initial nose only mask it was not- the problem was exhaling. This forum helped me change the settings and I got a new full face mask. I would lie awake in bed for about an hour or so every night. If I started to relax enough to sleep, my jaw would drop and the mask would leak, preventing sleep.

I got a different face mask that didn’t leak, but it was less comfortable and I couldn’t fall asleep due to the sensation of it touching me. I couldn’t fall asleep with melatonin. I fell asleep once with Benadryl, then it didn’t work. I took Ambien 4 times. The first 3 times I DID fall asleep for a few hours but the 4th time I still couldn’t fall asleep. That was the last time I tried to use the insomnia box. Never again.

My insurance just approved an oral appliance for me. We will see if I can fall asleep with something in my mouth.

When putting on the mask, I pretended I was a jet pilot, astronaut, or SCUBA diver.
My imagination made cpap an adventure--not a punishment.
Now, I'm just a sleepy frog bedding down for the night.