Hi, Well I have just been informed that I have SEVERE Sleep Apnea-they counted 57-60 times every minute at certain intervals where I was being obstructed. I am so scared and upset I can't tell you. I thought I may have had mild to moderate sleep apnea but not this much!!! The doctor really scared me as he talked about everything that could happen including dementia, heart problems, brain damage, and of course death! I spent several days feeling sorry for myself and having a good cry and I have been trying to keep the mask on while I sleep. It was very hard and I spent several hours tossing and turning as I tried to sleep. At least I stopped snoring but now I am afraid to go to sleep and I tend to panic and gasp for air now that I know I has sleep apnea.......which is ridiculous but it's amazing how your mind plays games. I know it will get easier every day but I hate things on my face. Anywhere else on my body would have been fine but eventually around 2 am I finally just passed out and slept until 6 am. I had a few episodes of falling asleep at work again and at the wheel driving home. I hope that will be a thing of the past soon and I will have more energy to start an exercise regime and have a life after work without feeling so exhausted. I have a hard time breathing just through my nose so they gave me a full mask to try. Last night was the worst night since I started. Since my apnea is severe, even though there is a ramp the full force of the air pressure kicked in within 10 minutes of going to bed so I went from a 6 to a 16 and I started to gasp and panic. I had to take the mask off and this went on all night. I would turn off the machine and it would go back to 6 so I would then try to fall asleep before the pressure started climbing. This went on until 4 am until I finally just passed out for a few hours. I had to call in sick a few times at work as I was so tired I was falling in the bathtub when I tried to shower and get ready for work. I was afraid I would get into a car accident so I stay home sometimes. I called the technician and asked him why the pressure would go up so high even though I was awake. He said you get obstructed as soon as you lie down and for the next 2 weeks we have to do this so the smart card can read my levels so the result can be sent to the sleep clinic. He told me to try putting the mask on when I am sitting watching TV to get used to it. I don't mean to complain but it is so hard. I am scared to go to sleep now and the pressure on my face causes me to panic and then I start to gasp for air and breathe so fast, my heart is just racing. I can't imagine getting used to this but I guess I will, it will just take time. I feel like I lost one of my best friends.......sleep. I realize I need this machine and will continue to persist at it. I heard that 1/3 of patients give up as they can not take it, but I don't want to do that. I asked if I can take a sleeping pill to relax and they told me it was not a good idea. I am going to try and drink some hot milk tonight before bed. Sim from Vancouver, BC Canada

I know that this issue has been resolved but, like me, I know others will read - so I wanted to share my own experience. I was required to bring my machine to surgery - as my pulmonologist had written orders for me to have it on immediately afterwards. I use a full face mask, and it has a port for an oxygen tube. If you feel you really need to have your machine, you may ask the respiratory department if they have a full face mask (Respironics Comfort Full) that can be used for your stay. Also, you might want to visit with your pulmonologist (or whoever is in charge of your apnea treatment) and see what they can do for you. I couldn't have recovered properly without my mask. I wish I could have the oxygen at home (it's too expensive) because it was even better. Good Luck to All of you!

what's "rainout"?

I found the site and will order some. Thanks a lot. JimP

* Hey Jim, I use nasal aire2, I kept having problems with "rainout" I found a seller on ebay that hand makes soft covers for various hose part on the cpap machine. Here is her ebay store : http://stores.ebay.com/CPAP-Wraps I believe she has the wraps your needing for 3.99 + 2.00 shipping, http://cgi.ebay.com/CPAP-STRAP-Wrap-Get-Rid-of-CPAP-Mask-StrapLines_W0QQitemZ320072198743Q QihZ011QQcategoryZ82595QQcmdZViewItem she's excellent and very prompt in mailing them out. Good luck! Cynthia