Why not hate the CPAP

rooster wrote:

MauraAnderson wrote:

Modern man gets plenty of calories as a child with very little chewing. Don't chew much as a child and your jaw will be underdeveloped while the tongue and soft palate develop normally.

My husband is Italian so I guess pasta didn't require much chewing. Seriously, we were so happy to hear that there was a name and a treatment for Mike's symptoms. We were sure we'd hear, "sorry, there's nothing we can do for you".

So beautifully said, Maura!

I do not begrudge wearing a mask for 8 hours a night (while I'm asleep) because it has improved the quality of my life so much during the 16 hours I am awake! And, most importantly, it is improving my health and may prevent future problems from developing.

Like yasulh, the feelings I've had the most difficulty with are frustration that I was not diagnosed 15 years ago. If I had been diagnosed earlier, much physical damage would have been prevented. I am also irritated that I was the one who had to raise the possibility of sleep apnea to my doctor. What if I had never heard of it? Physicians do need to be educated about this.

There are stages of acceptance, and I am moving on. I am very grateful that there is effective therapy, and I wouldn't want to be without my CPAP machine! And I also consider myself very fortunate to have found this wonderful forum when I was diagnosed. That definitely started me off on the right path!

~ DreamOn

Maura...your attitude will take you far! Right on.

T.

Actually now that I have the kinks worked out of my hybrid mask, both my masks are a lot more comfortable then my 36 H bras. Via cpapdotcom they are about the same price.
I haven't been seen in public without my bra since I was 12, I will never sleep without my cpap and mask ever again, if I have to make a choice I will choose my cpap machine over my bra!

[quote][a choice I will choose my cpap machine over my bra!/quote] LOL.. Actually I feel the same way. When is the bra burning?

BlackSpinner wrote:Actually now that I have the kinks worked out of my hybrid mask, both my masks are a lot more comfortable then my 36 H bras. Via cpapdotcom they are about the same price.
I haven't been seen in public without my bra since I was 12, I will never sleep without my cpap and mask ever again, if I have to make a choice I will choose my cpap machine over my bra!

Never mind I will go wash my mouth out with Ivory soap now......

BlackSpinner wrote:Actually now that I have the kinks worked out of my hybrid mask, both my masks are a lot more comfortable then my 36 H bras. Via cpapdotcom they are about the same price.
I haven't been seen in public without my bra since I was 12, I will never sleep without my cpap and mask ever again, if I have to make a choice I will choose my cpap machine over my bra!

Black Spinner, You have to know everyone is taking a closer look at your photo right now!

DoriC wrote:

BlackSpinner wrote:Actually now that I have the kinks worked out of my hybrid mask, both my masks are a lot more comfortable then my 36 H bras. Via cpapdotcom they are about the same price.
I haven't been seen in public without my bra since I was 12, I will never sleep without my cpap and mask ever again, if I have to make a choice I will choose my cpap machine over my bra!

Black Spinner, You have to know everyone is taking a closer look at your photo right now!

That's so funny, Dori. I have to admit that I did!

BlackSpinner wrote:Actually now that I have the kinks worked out of my hybrid mask, both my masks are a lot more comfortable then my 36 H bras. Via cpapdotcom they are about the same price.
I haven't been seen in public without my bra since I was 12, I will never sleep without my cpap and mask ever again, if I have to make a choice I will choose my cpap machine over my bra!

BlackSpinner wrote:Last night I tried again to get my Hybrid working for me. I did about an hour - this time with a small mouth piece and large nose pieces and Rooster's stockings.

So that's why my feet were cold.

I love the positive attitude in the OPs post

For me, I regret not finding out that I had OSA sooner. I was so sick and miserable before. I have discovered a new life free of headaches that caused me to miss work weekly, free of sleeping 18 hours a day on the weekends and still never feeling rested and free from falling asleep while doing regular activities. I love my machine and prefer it over other ways that I manage my health.

Kind of love-hate for me. Yeah, its a hassle, and a pain, I mean lying in bed reading, and all I want to do is to shut out the lights and go to sleep, but no, I have to get up, wash my face again, get the comfort pad on my nose, put the mask on, check for leaks, and then go to bed.

But when the therapy works well, and I wake up before the alarm goes off, and I feel wide awake, well, its like finding the fountain of youth. And I can't wait to get on with the day.

GaryG wrote:Yeah, its a hassle, and a pain, I mean lying in bed reading, and all I want to do is to shut out the lights and go to sleep, but no, I have to get up, wash my face again, get the comfort pad on my nose, put the mask on, check for leaks, and then go to bed.

Gary,

There are some masks that are designed to make it easier to read with, although if you have to wear reading glasses that does make it more difficult. If you can tolerate nasal pillows, the AEIOMed Headrest is one. (It also vents upward, out of the way, which I love.) I sometimes read in bed with my CPAP machine going. With my Activa LT mask I read with one eye! Reading always puts me to sleep after a short time, so I can just put the book down and snooze off.

~ DreamOn

Hate takes so much energy, it creates negative feelings, it is not at all productive, and it can be devastating for your mental and physical health. It is so much easier to be at peace with using CPAP rather than hating it. Being at peace with your CPAP preserves your energy for more productive uses. Negative feelings are unpleasant and cause stress, which is not good for your health. Hating your CPAP makes it even more difficult to adjust to using CPAP which reduces compliance, which is so bad for your mental and physical health.