Sleep?? Study

I 100% have to use the breathe-right strips on my nose or I cannot handle the mask at all.

I always have 2 boxes of those on hand.

And which ever mask you use, you won't be talking once you put it on. I leave mine draped over the headboard and don't put it on till I'm ready to close my eyes and go to sleep. I like to read for 30min or so before I go to bed. Helps calm my thoughts.

If you use the nose mask, air pushes out of your mouth if you open it to talk - so no talking LOL.

Turning over? not gonna happen. You can sort of sleep on your side a little bit, definately on your back. I was a tummy sleeper, but now I sleep on my back pretty well and hardly move.

I know the thing is horrible and I came up with 1001 reasons not to use it for the first year I had it.

Now, I wish I hadn't waisted that year of sleep. You really will get use to it and you will love the rest you eventually get. I didn't even realize how bad my sleep was!

mine has a swivel thing on it,   I have no problem turning from side to side..aprica health care has classes on all the mask and new stuff that are out for the c-pap maybe you could visit that and find something suitable for you....hope that helps..~Mary~

Hey Kelly -

I know it's difficult to get used to it, but you'll need to. Dr. DeMaria won't do the surgery without it. As a matter of a fact they can tell if you've been using it or not and if not, they may not do the surgery. I know for a fact that they have sent folks packing because the didn't bring their machines with them for surgery and the had to reschedule. I asked Dr. DeMaria about the possibility of the CPAP 'blowing out the pouch.' He said that he had never seen that happen and that the risk of not using it after being so heavily sedated was much more of an issue. He also said that it's very important that you use your CPAP post surgery. You need to be sure that you are very well oxygenated to heal well post surgery. Your body will have a much harder recovery without the aid of the CPAP. I know it's hard to get used to it, but it's a necessary evil that you may well come to love.

Hugs,

Barb