Sleep Apnea and CPAP Advice Wanted

[SnoresLikeAWarthog]

Hi Mumsnetters,

Following a sleep assessment, I’ve just been told I have severe sleep apnoea — apparently I’m having more than 30 events an hour, and my oxygen levels dropped as low as 71% overnight. 😳

I’ve been told I’ll need to use a CPAP machine. I know they’ll show me how to use it, but I’d love to hear from anyone who has been through this.

Is there anything you wish you’d known before starting CPAP? Any tips, tricks, things to look out for, or things that made the whole process easier?
And, importantly… how on earth do you get used to sleeping with a machine attached to your face?! 😂

I’m hoping that once I get used to it, I might finally discover what proper sleep feels like!

Thank you in advance for any advice. ❤️

My DH has the same diagnosis and has to use a CPAP now. It’s literally transformed his life. He was falling asleep at work and we couldn’t watch TV in the evening as he couldn’t stay awake.

You’ll need a plug next to the bed and ideally somewhere to hook the pipe ( headboard) and it all needs regular cleaning.

There are different shaped face masks so if you don’t get on with one ask to try another.
It will take some getting used to DH says it’s warm and itchy especially in the heat. He does keep it on most of the night but my friend has one and she only manages 3 or 4 hours. Data is sent back to hospital.

If the mask becomes dislodged it can be like sleeping in a wind tunnel for a partner. I think you can buy special pillows to accommodate the tube.
Good luck with it. You’ll probably need to build up tolerance.

Thank you so much, I only know what I am reading online. It all sounds very uncomfortable and complicated.

I have been using mine for a couple of years now. It did take some getting use to . I have a Resmed machine and currently use an F40 mask that goes under my nose. The first mask I was given felt like I was sleeping in a Tupperware box and I was ready to give up. Don’t be afraid to ask for different masks. My clinic is contactable via email. I have an app on my phone that tells me how well my mask has sealed overnight and gives me a total score which I find really handy. The machine itself is almost silent , but I am aware of my breathing through the mask, which can be noisy at times, especially if the mask isn’t sealing properly.
I don’t have the humidifier as I didn’t like the idea of having to dry it out every day. My mouth does get dry if I am breathing through my mouth, but I can cope with this.
I watched loads of YT videos and that helped too.
Good Luck and feel free to PM me it you want.