New C-PAP user here!

[Big V]

I went in for a sleep study Sunday to see why I snore so loud. They hook you up in about a thousand different places and then they want you to go to sleep! About half way through the night they hooked me up to a C-Pap machine which keeps your airway open. It wasn't a fun night. Well any way yesterday the doctor called me up and tells me I have severe sleep apnea! It's normal for a person to stop breathing about 5 times an hour while you are sleeping and I quit breathing on an average of 112 times an hour! So now I'm going in this afternoon to pick up my own C-PAP machine and hopefully I'll sleep better at night. I would like to thank jfulcer (Jeff) for giving me the encouraging words to go in and have this done as I don't think I would have done it without him! THANKS JEFF!!!!
Scott

 

[jennyl772003]

My FIL uses one and my husband is going in for a sleep study next Fri. I'm pretty sure that he will need one too. From what I've heard, a few nights after you begin using the machine, you will be amazed at how rested you feel. I hope that is true because my husband has not felt rested in a long time... I hope it works for you!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good luck with it Scott. I do know Jeff likes his and has done well with it. Amazing what we learn from sharing here. Cool!!!!!

 

[Cruise04]

My husband also uses a CPAP machine and was also tested at stopping breathing for over 100 times an hour as well. He also had surgery which helped some but the CPAP has really saved him. Good luck and hope it goes well for you.

 

[Meriweather]

CPAP machine for DH has been a GREAT relief!!
So much better now...for him...and ME!!

 

[minniecarousel]

My oldest brother and oldest sister both use a CPAP. (hmmm...doesn't bode well for me, does it?) They both feel sooo much better since starting to use it. I know quite a few people who use it and swear by it (not AT it!)
You'll get used to it.

 

[MerryPoppins]

The first few nights are a real adjustment, but after that it's sure worth it's weight in gold. My DH sleeps so much better now that he has one. You'll feel like a different person! Hang in there. If a mask doesn't work for you, there are nose pillows and other types of masks. Don't be afraid to ask for adjustments.

By the way, DH got a retainer of sorts for when he is camping and it's not convenient to take his machine. It forces his lower jaw forward and opens his airway. He doesn't sleep quite as well with it, but he doesn't snore with it either. The Scouts have mentioned how much quieter he is now on campouts!

 

[lizdotcom99]

You will love it once you get used to it!!! I do and so does my hubby!!! Can't sleep now without it!!!

Liz

 

[Big V]

I slept with it for the first time last night. It will take a while to get used to it I guess.

 

[Serena]

I hope you get used to it soon.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Good luck with it Big V!

 

[Micca]

My doc asked me if I had this problem and I said I didn't think so.
He went on to tell me that HE had the problem and couldn't believe how much better he felt since using the machine. He checks with many of his patients now just to see if someone might have this and not know about it.

 

[nativetxn]

I hope this new machine helps you get some rest now.

 

[CALIFLADY]

Whoops! When I saw your subject line I thought you were talking about a new twist on the Premium Annual Passport! Couldn't figure out what that "C" thing was all about.

Shows you where my brain is all the time!

Hope things go well for you and you get some good sleep soon!

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by Big V
I would like to thank jfulcer (Jeff) for giving me the encouraging words to go in and have this done as I don't think I would have done it without him! THANKS JEFF!!!!
Scott

Wow, that's quite a lot of waking up. The doctor I saw said I woke up about 64 times and hour and he thought that was bad.

I'm glad you went in and were tested - it wasn't as scary as you thought it was going to be, right? I know so many people that are just too scared to go in and get tested.

And don't forget - all resorts have a plug near the beds at WDW (or at least they ones we go to) so bring it along. It's like an AMEX card - don't leave home without it!

For those who have a CPAP and want to travel, generally it is not considered in your 'carry on allowance' as it's a medical device. All the airport screeners I've run into know exactly what they are. And there's no way I'm gonna check a $1000 machine.

 

[tigercat]

My dh & ds both have them. My ds says that he sleeps a lot better with it. He really didn't want it at first and really got upset with me when I had the Dr. set it up but after they found he stopped breathing over 100 x's an hour he now will not sleep without it. My dh is a lot quieter now and I get a better sleep as well.
tigercat

 

[Big V]

Second night down with the C-PAP. Still not a good night, but I think I feel more alert this morning! Jeff, it wasn't that scary doing the test, but I'm glad it's over with. I'm going back to the sleep doctor next month and I'm going to ask for a letter stating what the machine is for so I don't get hasseled at the airport. They aren't cheap! Just the mask is $200! Thank God for insurance! CALIFLADY - LOL!

 

[lizdotcom99]

Sleep with two pillows. Put the tube in between the two pillows. Make sure teh tube s toward teh headboard and out of your way with room to turn and such. Then it makes it easier to sleep and not get tangled up in the tube. That really made a differance for me. Getting used to the maching won't happen overnight...I think it took me about a month or so....but I can't sleep without mine now!!!! It takes time. Good luck, this will all be a dream once you get used to it. You may also want to ask for a humidifier for your machine if you did not get one....in the winter you will get a very dryand sometimes slightly bloody nose if you di no use it and live in a dry climate. I don't like using the humidifier and the bloody nose thing is pretty rare for me, but it does sometimes happen. Just a heads up...nothing to fear!! Good luck getting used to your machine, before long you will not know how you ever lived without it!!! Oh yeah, and you will get oveer your fear of looking like Dumbo too.....DH still teases me about my "trunk" every now and then and I threaten to sleep without it!! He stops teasing immediately!!! He likes to sleep!!!
Liz

 

[lizdotcom99]

Do get a letter from your doctor just in case and NEVER check that as it is a piece of medical epquipment and NOT counted in luggage allowence. I keep my letter in my bag of the machine and have never had any problem with it at all!! Good luck!!

 

[Big V]

Thanks for the tips Liz! I did get a humidifier with mine, but I haven't used it yet. My DW is already teasing about the way I look!