Have you ever used a cpap? Any suggestions to tolerate this monstrosity?

[Charliefretz329]

[NamerOfStars]

Yes- every night for the past eight years! The first key is to find the right mask type. There are nasal masks:

full face masks:

whole face masks (I want to punch the person who picked those names):

and nasal pillows (no, you will never find anyone who can give you a decent explanation of why they're called "pillows"):

There may be other subtypes now; the big differences are how targeted the air is and how much of your face is exposed (which has important differences in terms of heat). I use nasal pillows; they're less obtrusive and better for those of us who sleep on our stomachs. Check the terms of your DME; you may have a week or two to try other varieties.

Once you've got that picked out (you are of course free to experiment with other types once that period is over; they all use the same hose type), you just need to adjust yourself to it. I didn't have a problem, but one technique I heard is to delay going to sleep until you're so dog tired that you couldn't stay awake if you wanted to, and only then slip it on and doze off. Or keep it on at various times during the day, to adjust your body to having a constant stream of air flowing in.

The difference is worth it, I promise.

[Charliefretz329]

I have a full face and I sleep on my belly most of the time. But I toss and turn a LOT. The full face is no good for belly sleeping 😞.

Thank you so much for this advice, I think I’ll try the nasal pillows. And I agree this name sounds quite odd.

[Charliefretz329]

I wake up with terrible headaches almost everyday and have lots of events so I’m definitely motivated to give it all the effort I can muster

[NamerOfStars]

When I began to suspect I had sleep apnea, I started reading up on it- CPAP machines work quite well; the issue is people not using them. I'd read things like "So I was driving my kids to school, and I kept falling asleep at the wheel...", and I'd think "KEPT? It happened ONCE, and you didn't immediately pull over and say 'okay kids, grab your bags; we're walking the rest of the way? You'd risk your life, AND your children's lives, AND the lives of everyone around you? What's wrong with this mask- is it covered in spikes?".

[Charliefretz329]

I’ve worked extreme hours most of my life so being tired wasn’t a sign. It was the headaches and full body pain when waking and psychological issues. Doc told me it’s possible so I did a sleep study and viola!

We tend to ignore our weaknesses and mislabel things

[riverrat3]

Find a mask you can tolerate

[Charliefretz329]

This full face sucks. But it’s only my second night

[riverrat3]

I have a respironics Amara view , I hope I remembered it right, after about 6 or 7 other masks finally got one I could sleep in. It does not leak into my eyes when it does leak

[Charliefretz329]

Thanks for that tip! And yes it’s a struggle for me right now to find a good match for the mask

[riverrat3]

www.usa.philips.com/.../amara-view-minimal-contact-full-face-mask

[Charliefretz329]

Oh wow! That looks so much better than mine! Thanks!

[riverrat3]

Compared to what I started with it is very comfortable,

[riverrat3]

It is all below your nose

[riverrat3]

thanks for the mho

[MORPHEUS_12]

The have a surgical implant that does not require a mask.

[Charliefretz329]

That sounds awesome compared

[Apple1996]

Never personally had them but my mom's bestfriend died in her sleep because she didn't wanna wear it so if you have to use it please wear it and make sure to keep it clean as well

[Charliefretz329]

Yeesh, that’s terrifying

[exitseven]

Yes I have been using one for about 5 years now. It really sucks. I was really horrible when I first started but I have sort of gotten used to it. But it still sucks.

[Charliefretz329]

Yeah ugh

[Miah05]

Never used it. I would guess follow the instructions provided or call the doctor