I am so happy to read this. I have similar feelings about the machine, and the tubing, and the mask in terms of how it looks. I actually think the idea is a good one, but the apparatus that comes with it-especially the tubing and headgear, the loss of speech while wearing it, the need to stay right nearby the machine- these all affect me as well. I have not called my doctor back after trying a machine for one, all-but-completely-sleepless night. I have this horrible feeling about being held hostage. I worked very hard to tolerate the sensation of the CPAP on my cheeks and nose, but this is hard, but the breathing sensations were worse. Since that night, I have been researching Apnea, because I want different answers. Clearly, I am in de Nile. I don't like someone telling me they looked at one random night of my life, and now I must wear this for the rest of my life or die. That seems like an extreme response to me, and I am looking for a more balanced understanding and perspective. I mean, I haven't been using one for over 50 years, and clearly am healthy enough to work, raise a family, and manage my life. So, while if it really would help, I would want to try it, I also want loads more information. So again, thanks for this. this website has helped me understand a lot about what I need to ask.
Okay, I know much of my problem is the very idea. I think someone would have to prove a link between my apnea to a direct and very serious health condition that is immediately impacting my life in order to get me to wear something on my face while I sleep. And while I am awake, no way. not for a minute or even a few seconds. Can't imagine it. it makes me shudder just to see pictures of people wearing the CPAP masks.
I actually got very little information from the doctor. You people on this site are the first who told me much of anything. I was told only that I had apnea only for 90 minutes out of the last two hours of sleep, during REM. And that the number of times per hour was 28. I believe this is moderate. but when I was told this, the doctor's words were something like" you don't have to use a cpap, but you can die form this condition, have a heart attack or stroke" when I expressed concerns about wearing something on my face. I feel now that he was not telling me everything.
Awesome-i may look into that
Thanks. Until I came to this site, the cpap was the only option I was presented with, despite having asked about options.
Hi. I have just been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and I an angry and frustrated. I would love some feedback. Please tell me someone else has felt this way. I never had symptoms except snoring. i am not tired or foggy or forgetful. I sleep fine. All my family snored and lived long healthy lives-none of them was ever egged on by a spouse who hates snoring to get the sleep test. I am resistant to the use of a CPAP machine. I tried it last night, and could barely sleep. I was tangled in the all the junk, and I have a kind of claustrophobic response to things over my face, or even touching my face(even my hair) while I sleep due to years of having asthma attacks at night until it was under control. The machine while I was awake reminded me of having an asthma attack, and it was hard to breathe, so I became more and more anxious. The flow of air kept making me forget to breathe while I was awake, and I would gasp and strain to breathe, although I was assured I breathed while asleep for the few hours I got. The technician tried to tell me it would get better, but had to come in several times during the night to make sure I was untangled. I had tried to have an open mind about it, but kept waking up and just wept at how tired and miserable I was. I woke up tired and angry and in a terrible mood with a headache. Maybe I'm just a baby, but I feel all I am being told is -" you have sleep apnea, you can die without this treatment." I want to trust all this information, but have a hard time believing this will really harm me. Sorry to jump in, but I have been looking for information since this happened and this seems like a good place.
