Mynda - I was diagnosed about 8 months ago, and used the big full-faced mask for about 5 months with considerable problems..but did manage to sleep 7+ hours most nights. However, I suffered with headaches, sores on the outside of my nose, air from the exhaust blowing in my eye...matting it and drying it out...finally bought some eye patches that helped. Then some surgeries (not related to Apnea) and I just stopped using the APAP...for several weeks. But, I did restart with a new device, a nasal pillow. It has been liberating!
I can again wear glasses and read in bed. and I can read the machine's data, and if it slips off, I can actually put it back on without getting up, or ripping it off. Still have some issues with a dry mouth, but the chin strap helps. My goal is to bring my high red-blood count down to normal.