Is Anybody Happy with CPAP? Did Anyone...?

I'm so glad that you were told about the not getting up every hour on the hour to head to the bathroom. It is so nice to sleep through the night. From what I've read, the number 1 problem is getting a mask that is comfortable and seals well for you. And for most people that is certainly doable. I mentioned earlier that for me, I realized benefits after the 2nd night. In addition to not falling asleep several times a day, the nerve pain in my feet abated. It's been wonderful! We recently went out of town and I forgot the thing. My trip was just miserable because I now am so insecure sleeping without the thing.

My sleep doc explained that when we have an apnea episode, the heart expands as it waits for the breathing and oxygen to return. It sort of just sits there getting bigger and bigger and then squeezes down hard when the breathing resumes. Now, that's awfully simplistic, but it tells me that there is danger to us when we don't treat the apnea. That's why people who don't treat it are at a greater risk of dying in their sleep.

There are some really knowledgeable people around here who advise getting a data capable machine which a lot of equipment providers don't want to give you because they are more expensive and the insurance often pays the same for a data machine as it does for one which doesn't record your sleep statistics. My first machine was a loaner without the data recording ability. But when the time came to purchase one, I went to my doctor and insisted that he contact the supplier and get me one. You may not want to get into all that. A lot of people are happy just to feel better. And I think the increased wellbeing makes the adjustment period well worth going through.

I am truly excited for you and can't wait to hear about your experience with your machine when it arrives.

millich wrote:As a newbie who'll be getting my equipment soon, I gotta ask:

Is anybody actually happy with their CPAP?

Did anybody actually have an easy time adapting to CPAP?

Yes very content. Not sure I would say happy since I'd rather not have to use one. However, the therapy sure has helped me a lot.


I don't believe anyone would find it truly "easy" to adapt. Commitment to your care goes a long way. I don't believe I'll ever be fully done adapting.

millich wrote:As a newbie who'll be getting my equipment soon, I gotta ask:

Is anybody actually happy with their CPAP?

Did anybody actually have an easy time adapting to CPAP?

I guess I'm asking for some encouragement.

I first tried CPAP when my brother got his new machine and let me try his old one. I never looked back. Five months after that first night, I did the sleep study so my health plan can help with the expenses. I had no problems getting used to it. Getting used to the mask and learning how to deal with leaks was the big challenge; and I dealt with that efficiently.
I'm well rested, my wife gets her sleep now that the chainsaw doesn't wake her up anymore, and my sciatica has completely disappeared because the mask requires that I sleep on my back; sleeping on my side kills my back! I am a control freak/tinkerer and don't mind experimenting with setups, so I absolutely insist on knowing how to work my machine without Big Brother medical types looking over my shoulder. It's my problem, my body, and my right to self direct as I see fit. I'd rather not have to use this to sleep for the rest of my life, but it is what it is and I'm happy with the results so far:-)

T