Well i was just dx. with sleep apena, and im susposed to go back friday for my second nite and sleep with the mask and machine.. Well after reading all this, and seeing what the masks look like, there is no way im even gonna try to go through all this... Im canceling my appointment... and if i die in my sleep, so be it!  Sorry to be so negative, but i cant even stand to use a reg nasal o2 canula, never mind all that stuff over your face head nose or what ever...... Ug.
Good LUck everyone.
Karin

Karin wrote:

Well i was just dx. with sleep apena, and im susposed to go back friday for my second nite and sleep with the mask and machine.. Well after reading all this, and seeing what the masks look like, there is no way im even gonna try to go through all this... Im canceling my appointment... and if i die in my sleep, so be it!  Sorry to be so negative, but i cant even stand to use a reg nasal o2 canula, never mind all that stuff over your face head nose or what ever...... Ug.
Good LUck everyone.
Karin

Well depending on your severity you might explore dental devices or pillar.  If you are still interested in treating your apnea you might talk to your doctor about those options.

Thanks for your reply,, This is really freaking me out!!
They suspected it when i had my gallbladder out last month, and when i was coming out of anesthea in postop i would stop breathing and the alarms would go off and i would hear someone say, "Karin Breathe"    I only get about 2 hours of sleep at any given time.
I wake up all nite long and then just give up and stay up.. I also find that when i sleep in my recliner, i sleep longer, but i still wake up constantly.....

My first nite when i went for the study, i got there at 9pm they had me hooked up by 10pm, and i layed down and watched tv.. I don't even believe i even slept at all.  By 3am i got up, pulled all that !@#! off of me and went home.. Yesterday i went to the docs and he said i have it..... But he didn't show me my results..... I honesty don't think i had any REM sleep during the study, so i think i will call my Doc and ask him to see my results and see if i actually did have any REM sleep....

I think my lack of sleep is due to my spinal condition, I had emergency spinal surgery in 2001, ANd haven't slept a normal night since.  I wake up because my legs go dead because of my nerve damage..  My dad was just dx. with this too.. He went for it all, has the machine and he doesn't use it cause he cant deal with the mask..... Oh well,
Thanks!

Can he deal with death?  This is serious stuff.  He and you need to find a way to get treatment, there are many different types of masks, and for the less severe apnea, dental devices or pillar.  The big thing is taking it seriously and getting treated.  Everyone freaks out about the mask, but there are ways to desensitize yourself.  But don't ignore this, it can literally cost you your life.

Thanks Mike for the advise,
Like i said i will ask to see my results...
Hugz,
Karin

Karin wrote:

Thanks Mike for the advise,
Like i said i will ask to see my results...
Hugz,
Karin

Karin,

I had heard of all the war stories regarding CPAP, however, I also heard of them from two family members.  My sister can only keep her mask on a couple of hours a night and even then ends up with sinus problems.  My cousin can't use hers as it gives her sinus problems as well.  After hearing about their experiences AND reading the message board here I thought there is no way I will go through that.  Anyway, since early this last winter I've been waking up absolutely exhausted.  After feeling absolutely horrid for a long time, I finally went in and had a sleep study done.  It was confirmed that I have severe sleep apnea.  Well I decided to try the dental appliance first, going through a dentist who specializes in making the TAP appliance.  Unfortunately this didn't work for me.  After trying to deal with the bone draining exhaustion for a couple more months I caved and met my newest friend...a ResMD CPAP.  At the sleep study they had tried a mask that goes over the nose and I felt like I couldn't breath...not a good feeling.  Anyway, knowing I sleep with my mouth open (or least have been since this last winter...thinking it was due to the obstruction) I started out with an Ultra Mirage full face mask.  I didn't feel claustraphobic with it and it was comfortable to wear.  My problem with it was that with my pressure at 14, I had quite a few air leaks that drove me nutty.  HOWEVER, I could tell even after the first use that I was less tired and it seemed to get better every day.  With this positive thought, I knew I would scour and drive my DME nuts to find a mask that would work for me.  Was the headgear and noise foreign...YES.  Like some here, I had to do calming breathing exercises because it was foreign to have stuff on my face. Anyway, the next full face mask I tried was the Flexifit 431.  Now this mask seemed louder than the first one, however, no problems with air leaks at all.  Plus, this mask was extremely comfy.  Unfortunately, this mask didn't work for me either as I started to feel more and more tired.  I think it was simply a matter of the way the air intake was set up.  The third (and hopefully last) mask I tried was the Swift nasal pillows with a chin strap.  This mask is the quietest by far and the most comfortable of all three.  The best part is I noticed a difference when I woke up on the very first day.  I was still tired, but less than the day before.  I've been using this mask since Tuesday and every day seems to get a little better.  My reason for telling you this is because I'm someone who gets claustraphobic.  Like you, after reading and hearing from my family I thought forget it.  What really changed my mind was the fact my symptoms just got worse and worse.  Trying to ignore it won't make it go away.  Besides with all I've been through and the precious people I've lost in my life, I know that life is indeed precious and worth fighting for.  Now after this new mask, I have also discovered that I did have a slight case of depression going.  My "old self" with the perpetual smile and quirky sense of humor is starting to emerge and I am looking forward to subjecting her to my family again and to my boyfriend.     

Most people come to this site to get help with problems and to voice concerns.  There are many, many success stories out there and you could be one.  Of course, not everything is perfect and it takes work to get just the right equipment, but I can tell you it's so worth it.  I feel like I'm slowly getting my life back.  Am I still tired?  Yup...but after who knows how long I've had sleep apnea, I know it will take time for my body to get back on track.

I hope you find a treatment that works for you.  Just because you heard the war stories and have problems with the nasal canulas, doesn't mean another mask won't work for you.  Good luck and please don't give up.