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Sleep apnea

7 replies

saskia80 · 30/05/2026 23:38

I've been diagnosed with sleep apnea this week and to be honest I'm freaking out a bit. I stop sleeping 9 to 20 times on average per hour and am now on the waiting list for cpap. I'm dreading it as I'm claustrophobic and can't bear things on my face plus I don't sleep well due to a spinal disease. I'm also worried the kids will be scared of the mask. I have multiple other health conditions, am overweight due to them and now I've added this to the list. It's so depressing

OP posts:
SuperLoudPoppingAction · 30/05/2026 23:42

You can get ones that are just for your nose rather than your whole face. Have a look at different options before your appointment. Try not to worry too much in advance about things like your children being scared. If you explain it's to help you and let them have a look at it, they won't have a shock seeing you wear it.
You will feel better getting sleep and not being startled awake by lack of oxygen.

Grumpynan · 30/05/2026 23:56

Welcome to the Cpap world. I’ve have mine for about 10 years, yes it’s scary at first and the first few nights can be difficult. But trust me it’s worth it. It’s changed my life.

so at first it can make you feel claustrophobic I’ve found having a fan gently blowing on my face stops this. You will also get a very dry mouth, so have a bottle of water to sip as needed or speak to them about have a nebuliser (I personally prefer to sip water.)

I wash the mask every day, just in hot soapy water it takes seconds to unclip and wash when you clean your teeth. The tube I do once or twice a week again in the sink and I leave it dripping over the shower rail. The filter you need to clean every week too, they will show you how.

my mine issue with it is you need it tight enough to not leak, but this gives you marks on your face. Some people wrap things round it ( just google or look on TikTok). I find this uncomfortable and even more claustrophobic the marks are gone by the time you showered and dressed anyway.

i honesty can’t sleep without it, and you really will feel the benefit so quickly.

edit to say, don’t worry about the children, mind thing it’s great and love to get hold of it you will have trouble stopping them, the novelty wears off thank goodness. But honestly just make light of it ( it’s known as my crap machine 🙄). They will soon just see it as the norm.

dementedpixie · 31/05/2026 00:08

My dh uses xylimelts that help prevent a dry mouth and has a humidifier tank to make the air less dry. His sits over his mouth but under his nose.

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Flidina · 31/05/2026 00:25

I was diagnosed 3 years ago, and despite losing 7 stone, I still have sleep apnea.It can be a little daunting at first getting used to the mask, but after a while it becomes normal, and now I can't sleep without it.I did suffer with dry mouth but use my resmed machine with a humidifier tank and heated tube , which helps.

DorisTheOceanid · 31/05/2026 01:19

Had mine for about 9 months now, and honestly it's life-changing. I explained what it was and how it worked to kids (6&9) and they were fine with it. The first few nights are weird, but keep a bottle of water by your bed for dry mouth and have faith, I felt so much better even from the first night, and you almost certainly will too. Good luck once you get it!

CMOTDibbler · 31/05/2026 07:56

Dh has been on cpap for 20 years now and uses a nose pillow and haste machine with a humidifier. It’s all ds has ever known, but it’s not scary at all. It’s super quiet and unless he’s got a really bad cold, not a problem at all

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