Anyone have any experience of sleep apnea

[NoneButOurselves]

Been diagnosed with 'moderate' sleep apnea and advised to get machine to counter it. Feeling a bit freaked out by it all - the machine sounds daunting and expensive. And does it work? I'd be very grateful for any experience or advice.

My dh got his CPAP machine from the sleep clinic at the hospital. He didn't have to pay for it. It has certainly stopped him snoring which is a bonus for me!

Yes it absolutely works and is brilliant.

These are very encouraging - thank you. Haggis have you used the machine yourself ? If so can I ask how long it took to get used to it ? Did you instantly feel better?

And Pixie - does your DH feel better as well as you ?😄

I just asked him! He feels less tired at work and falls asleep less on the couch in the evening. He had to experiment with masks though as the first one made him feel too claustrophobic. He also had to get a humidifier attachment and a heated tube as he got a really dry mouth to start with

Thanks Pixie! Would you mind asking your DH how long it took to get used to it?

I think it took a couple of weeks especially when he had the 1st mask which fully covered his nose and mouth. Sometimes he only put up with it for part of the night. Once he got a different mask that sits over his mouth but under his nose (still directs air up his nostrils) he was able to use it every night for the full night

I've had a machine since '92. I can't imagine trying to sleep without it.
I use a nose-only face mask. I've tried the whole-face masks, but don't care for them as I felt they leaked more easily. I like the tension set very loosely, so there's not much pressure on my face, and I juggle the hose so it doesn't tend to loosen on one side and squeal.
It took me months to get used to it. I'd feel that I wasn't getting enough air, and have to take it off for a bit. I've learned to settle for a bit, so my breathing steadies, before putting the mask on. My wife and I just cuddle for a bit...
One thing I just LOVE is that the pressure reduces nasal swelling. Unless I have a truly horrible cold, within a few minutes my sinuses are clear and I can breathe easily.
Good luck!

This is so encouraging. Thank you !

My DH has been using one for a couple of years now, due to sleep apnea which caused him to fall asleep during the day and snoring terribly at night. It did take him a while to get used to it, the first few weeks he thought he would never manage it. Then he swapped from a full face to a nose only machine and found it easier to cope with. All supplied and checked regularly by the clinic, the consultant said that if he lost a couple of stones he should be able to ditch the mask altogether.

The consensus seems to be that nose masks are better than the full face ones. Good to know - I'll ask if I can try those first

I have been using Cpap ma chine for two weeks. Not as difficult to get used to as you would imagine. I am mild to moderate so am taking part in a trial. I have full face as I breath through my mouth. As pp said you need to setttle in to it and not fight it iyswim. Early days can manage until I get night time hot sweat then everything has to come off! Machine is by Res Med and is designed for females, displays a sleep report on how long you’ve had it on for events etc. Think I’m starting to feel less tired in the day, have to say loosing a bit of weight had improved apnea but had already agreed that trial.

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea recently. I was given a machine by the hospital. The effect was instant and phenomenal. I wouldn't be without it. I have a mask that goes over my nose and mouth because I get a lot of congestion and can't breathe fully just through my nose. This is also a symptom of sleep apnea so should get better. I'm still getting used to using the mask so it does wake me up. But half a dozen wake ups from the mask is still preferable to 200+ without it.

I've started losing weight since I had the machine. My body is no longer driving me to find another source of energy. I'm eating properly for the first time in years.