King's Daughter

My husband just got one a couple months ago and I LOVE it! He doesn't snore anymore. He didn't have trouble sleeping before, he's always out like a light. Between my "personal tropical vacations" and his snoring, I wasn't getting much sleep. He does find he has more energy later in the evening though.

Sadiemae

There isn't a program like this at my Power company. Bummer....

kay carlson

My CPAP machine and the nose pillow pads have not only saved my life, but have enabled me to live!! I use it at night and whenever I nap. The machine is so quiet that I don't hear it running.... Hubby is amazed. Frienda are amazed that the machine is so quiet. It is easy to take along when traveling --- even on airlines :)

I hadn't slept in years. The first study indicated I had an average 117 episodes an hour. The 117 is not a typo.

I told my doctor he had changed my life! No more headaches, pushing myself to stay awake, and muddled thinking. I can think clearly and enjoy life, whereas I had only been existing.

Whatever you do, keep searching for the right equipment to save your health and give you a new lease of life!!!!!!!!

Grinster

What kind of C-PAP do you have. My husband's is noisy and keeps me awake. I am a former Recovery Room Nurse and couldn't sleep for counting his apnea episodes and waiting to start CPR. Now the machine noise keeps me awake. Good to have an extra bedroom.

chickadeee55

Part of job is managing our sleep apnea program, we have had it in place for about 1 1/2 yrs. And it is amazing how people with SA have their life improved because of treatment. What is bad, that most people do not know they have it, and it is doing damage to your body.

It was nice reading this thread, even though having the machine is a big adjustment in you life, it can be a life saver in the end. And yes I agree, if you are having problems get the settings and the machine checked out. This is a case where no question is a dumb one, because most time there is a simple solution.

cindyjean

I have mild sleep apnea, but have had some major life issues from it... First machine I got, I used it for 5 days and sent it back. refused to use it. Then about a year later I was having more problems. I was so tired all the time, I had trouble functioning. Went to a different medical company. He gave me a newer model machine that was very quiet and he adjusted it so it would not be full force until 45 min. after I started using it. Which meant I could fall asleep before the full pressure.. I also used the nasal pillows. I seemed more apt to keep it on.. But as the months went by I was still extremely tired. The tiredness began affecting my job.. I was getting very fuzzy brained.. couldn't remember many things.. Made lots of mistakes.. My work was very patient and worked w/me.. I kept going back to the sleep Dr. and was told my sleep apnea was not bad enough to affect me like this.. I was at my wits end! I kept having blood work to see if there was something else wrong.. Finally I decided to change my mask. What a difference.. At first it was leaving big red dry marks on my face from the new mask. but i was determined to keep trying it.. I needed my mind back and I needed to not want to fall asleep while driving.. So I forced myself.. After a couple of weeks. I really noticed a difference. I got my memory back and my energy.. I have been trying to lose weight for 2 yrs and was not able to.. Now I am losing weight! But now I am having another issue.. Some nights I am having a terrible time sleeping. This is new to me since I first started the machine I could sleep, just wasn't the good sleep.. I tried taking sleeping pills, but made me so groggy all day, it affected my work.. Even tried a 1/2 sleeping pill. I don't dare go to the sleep Dr. and ask for help.. She doesn't help me at all. I think she is a terrible Dr. Since she could not suggest I try to change the mask and allow me to go through months of torment w/ the tiredness and memory loss.. There are no other sleep Dr's in my area. she came from 2 hrs away.. And suggestions would be welcome... : )

sew4fun

I started using a CPAP machine about 6 months ago. Started with the nose pillow but that did not work. So now have the gel mask. I take a generic Tylenol PM about 30-45 min before I go to bed and my machine is set so it is not full pressure for 30 min. Some nights I have nasal congestion & don't use it. I have so much more energy but am still adjusting to the machine. Interesting to read about other board members experiences.

great aunt jacqui

cindy jean. call your insurance Co. and ask for others who specilize n sleep apnea. We travel about 45 mins, but before we moved to the boonies there were tons. Even whole buildings. Now that DH is all set we really only have to deal with calling for replacement pillows.
and for others :DH has a beard and mustache and it was really hard to get a good fit.

SEW

I am so glad to see this thread! I was 1st diagnosed with sleep apnea 6 yrs ago. I started on the CPAP at that time. When it works well, I sleep and feel fantastic. The problem is some of the side effects. Sometimes, my stomach gets bloated and distended and it is so uncomfortable! Spoke to my Dr. about it and said we maybe need to tweak the settings. So I just had another sleep study this past Sunday. I am excited to hear about the new quieter machines...

Radiana

I live in California and my utility company is Pacific Gas and Electric. A friend told me about how I was entitled to have a discount because of the machine. I gave them a call and they sent me a simple form to fill out and I had my doctor sign it. It saves us about $50.00 a month. It was interesting that my HMO never told me about putting in for a discount once I got the machine. It seems to be a bit of a secret. The best part is that the discount is not based on income it's only based on using the cpac machine. I'm sure each utility company is different but it's worth giving them a call.