cpap machine sucks!

Hi! Anyone else having a horrible time adjusting to their cpap machine? I have had it nearly 2 months and still keep taking it off in the middle of the night, about 2 hours into trying to fall asleep. I find that I sleep better without it. Is there another solution or is this machine the only way to go? I find the hard face mask uncomfortable, the hose in my way, air leaking out the side into my eyes....it is SO UNCOMFORTABLE!!!! I would like to know if anyone else is having a tough time. Will I be able to have the surgery without this thing? I want to return it (rental) and see no point in keeping it if I don't use it.

You might try a different mask. You might prefer nasal pillows rather than the triangular mask covering your nose. There are many different masks out there. From a health perspective, sleep apnea puts you at higher risk of hypertension, heart disease, strokes, and problems with alertness and memory. Until you lose enough weight to get rid of the sleep apnea, you'd be doing your body a big favor if you can find a way to tolerate the CPAP. Good luck. Caryl

Hi Patricia, I remember those days well! I was lucky though and my doc gave me a prescription sleeping pill to help get me to sleep each night (ambien). sometimes trying different masks help. b4 u return it call your surgeon's office. I was REQUIRED to bring mine. i guess they were afraid due to drugs they give us I'd get too relaxed, combine that w/ my apnea he thought I might die during my sleep. So in other words your surgeon may not let you have the surgery unless you bring your machine - unless they have one to borrow. or you can rent it just prior. i was lucky and my apnea went away after losing my first 20 pounds! good luck. em

I have had one for probably 10 years now and it is a love hate relationship. I can not and would not ever sleep without it. I love it because I can sleep. It sounds like whoever set you up did not take the time to find the right mask. Make them try on every one they have until you find one that fits. You should not get leaks around it. You do have to learn to deal with the hose, etc. Some drape it over the back of the headboard. I run mine along the top of the mattress. Does your hose go over the top of your head, that is the way mine is set up. Good luck

I agree, you need to have the tech come back and set you up with the proper mask. I know this is not a comfortable or attractive look. I always thought I resembled Hanibal Lector. But the really, really important thing to remember is this is not "just" about sleeping. It is about your o2 levals. Sleep Apnea is a serious, life threatening contition, which can cause severe complications when we "starve" our vital organs of oxygen. I hope you find the right mask, and learn how to relax with your c-pap. I used mine for 3 years before I had surgery. And I slept with it running and under my pillow for 6 months after I no longer needed it. I couldn't get to sleep without the noise. Good Luck! Bek

nasal pillows did the trick for me. now I can't sleep without it

I found that because I sleep on my side, the regular masks would leak and the noise would wake me up. I finally found a mask that just slips over my nose only without a bunch of hardware all around my head and the hose swivels. I could move from side to side without waking up. I haven't had to use a cPAP for months now, but I know what you're going through.

Actually, it doesn't suck, it blows. Have you asked about nasal pillows? Kristen

I will be honest with you , I am one of the people that Can't use that thing. I tried for 2 months before my surgery and every night I lost more sleep. I had to bring it with me to the hospital for surgery but I still did not use it. I would not suggest you not to use yours, I am just stating what I did. I have lived without it for 41 yrs and will not use mine. I am going to make a beautiful potted plant out of mine when I have lost all my weight.(just kidding) I wish I had been one of the people that have enjoyed their machine,but I am just being honest. I also bought the nasal air that went in your nose, and also bought a triangle thing that did not suffocate, but ,,,,still failure...Good luck,

I feel exactly the same way. I am 45 y.o. and have lived this far and ironically, do not have high blood pressure or any problems concentrating during the day. I'm beginning to wonder if my sleep study was accurate because I NEVER fell asleep during it! I was up the entire time. I'm happy to hear that I am not alone with this thing. So many people tell me that they never used theirs but got it only to appease the surgeon/hospital for surgery. To me this is all a money making venture for insurance companies and medical equipment. Today I must return my machine because my insurance changed and the equipment company is not covered by Empire BCBS!! Whoever heard of this? I do not know if I will even bother to pick up another machine as I am still in limbo over the decison making progress about my surgery. My surgeon's office is not very attentive, I feel like the forgotten patient. Even the simplest of my questions and voice mails go unanswered. I guess he has so much business these days that I am just a number. I've even tried faxing letters over to his office in detail but still do not get a return phone call. I have completed all my pre-op testing and now I'm at a dead end with this guy. Currently I'm researching other surgeon's at this point because I don't feel confident that Dr. Brathwaite is the right guy for the job. His office staff has definitely dropped the ball and it takes a good team, just not a good surgeon to care for a patient.