Although I do not have sleep apnea I have to disagree with holding off on the c-pap. there is a big difference in holding off on meds for your cholesterol and ignoring sleep apnea. Cholesterol increases over time and yes the effects of high cholesterol can kill you but not as quickly a continuously ceasing to breathe...

Well, I don't think I need mine anymore but cannot imagine sleeping without it!  Good luck, at least you won't have it for fiteen years!  It's not so bad.

The snoring is way worse than the sound of the machine.  And big deal? I had an enlarged heart and congestive heart failure from sleep apnea.  You need to take care of you.

The high risk for stroke and pulmonary hypertension make th CPAP worth it.

I understand your concern about the cpap machine. i recently have gotten one and i have to say that i hate it. i average about two hrs a night with it on and that is it. my dr said that after my surgery i probally wont need it but maybe a mth or so. mine is a mild case so i may differ from you but give it a shot. my hubby says that the machine doesnt bother him as much as the snoring does. most drs require you bring the machine to the hospital with you or they dont do the surgery. sleeping with it is very hard but just do what you can thats all they can ask of you nothing more nothing less they arent going to make you wear it.  is wish you luck

For those who are having trouble adjusting to the CPAP, I just wanted to say that I had trouble too at first. It probably took me a month before I was able to sleep the whole night without pulling it off. Plus, in the beginning, the noise bothered me. Now I find it soothing -- like being near the ocean. :)

Once you get used to it -- and you might need to try different masks or sleeping positions before you do -- it's really worth it. I'm a side sleeper and wasn't able to sleep on my back, so I just learned how to adjust my head so the mask wouldn't become uncomfortable when I put my head on the pillow.

 My doctor made me take the sleep apnea test, then, when it came back positive (I had no idea), he wanted me on the cpap for a month before he would do the surgery.  I hate it, and it's too strong right so I haven't been using it, but before surgery, I slept better and felt better, and my DH was so much happier that I wasn't stopping breathing.  It never bothered him.

You understand what is happening if you have SA dont you? Your O2 levels are dropping to a dangerously low point, you are stopping breathing during the night and may often gasp for air and thinking you are only snoring.

Cpaps these days are very small and very quiet, i doubt highly it will bother your husband as much as you jaring awake in the middle of the night. You may also sleep better than you have in years, the positive air preasure will keep your airways open and your sleep will not be interupted. It will take some getting use to, your doctor can give you something to help you get to sleep untill you get use to a cpap machine.

All that being said i hate mine with a passion. It was a major motivation in me making the decission to have my Lap RNY because i didnt want to wear the damn thing. 120 pounds later i no longer need it and it rots in the closet where it belongs but if you need it you need it, just suck it up, pun intended LOL

 I have severe obstructive sleep apnea. I hated the diagnosis but it solved so many questions in my life. Like why I doze off behind the wheel just from driving for 15 minutes, why did I need naps every day, why was I always tired, why was I so *****y with my family and it wasn't t.o.m., why did I forget even simple things, why did I always have stupid yellow sticky notes all over the place to remind me of what was needed to be done.
The new cpap machines are very quiet now and if u set it right off of the floor the noise is almost unnoticable. Give it a try, after you get used to it, the world does look differently, that said I can't wait for the day I get to store mine in my closet.
If you are going thru all the effort to lose weight and to get healthy take the extra step and use your cpap. It is just another tool to achieve your goal.
Good Luck

Hi,

I have to agree with the others, GET THE CPAP ! your life depends on it. I have had mine for about 10 years, my husband has had his for 15. It did not bother me when he first got his, at least I knew i would be waking to a warm body, not a cold one.

I had mine with me at surgery, I still use mine occasionally, I actually cant sleep without the machine on - the light noise it makes is wonderful. I have lost almost 100 pounds since surgery.

Dont fight your dr. Do what they ask- they only have your best interest in mind.

Being alive to have your surgery is a good thing!

Well.  I thought I wudda got just one sympathetic ear, but not you guys.  You tell it like it is and that's just how I need it.  Thanks a bunch from each one of you.  I will get the machine and use it if my Dr. says it's absolutely necessary.  I just can't believe this is happening to me...it makes me really feel like something is wrong with me for the first time.  I don't have any other conditions to go along with the being overweight and now....sleep apnea with a constant reminder everynight just seems to be taking me by surprise I guess.

I'll try it and maybe I will recognize the benefits.  I hope so.

God bless and thanks so much for all the honesty and efforts to respond.