I was diagonsed with sleep apnea two years ago.I was wondering if anyone here also has SA. Since my diagonsis I use a CPAP machine at night. Recently my doctors have planned surgical procedures to help improve my sleep apnea. Next Tuesday I will be undergoing my first procedure which will be on my nose to correct a deviated septum, realign bones and reduce the size of my turbinates. In May I will have my tonsils, adenoids removed and my tongue shortened. I'm hoping to get all the procedures done before next fall because I will be starting law school. If any of you do suffer from OSA please share advice tips or stories.

I was diagnosed with OSA October a year ago and was told to use a CPAP machine. Well I tried 3 different masks and all of them made me feel like I was suffocating and it took me longer to get to sleep with the mask then without. So I told my Dr. and he said to try it without for a while. I am sleeping much better without anything now that we are just leaving it at that. Good luck to you.

I too have been diagnosed with SA about 5 years ago & didn't get the CPAP machine as our insurance would not cover it. I am really claustrophobic & was afraid if i put all that money out i would end up not using it. However our ins does cover most of it now. I've been giving it a good try now for about a month & i can not see any change. I just went back for another sleep test & changed the mask so i am really struggling with it to keep it on all night. I really wanted & expected to wake up feeling rested & my brain to start working better again. Not happening. I will keep trying but i sure am disappointed in it. I heard the surgery is really painful. Good Luck to you & let us know the results of the surgery.

This has been my experience as well.

I have used the CPAP machine for almost a year and have seen absolutely no improvement whatsoever but I have continued using it.

I have an appointment January 6th to investigate a different kind of face mask. I currently have the gel-type triangular mask that just fits over your nose and it had been ok. All of a sudden, the last few times I've used it (over a month-long period of time), I have awakened with a mouth full of blood! I guess the mask is pressing on my gums underneath my nose and -- over a period of time -- has caused my gums to bleed. My dentist says the problem is not my gums, but simply the pressure of the mask is too strong. But it has to be fairly tight to prevent the air from leaking.

I guess I will be trying a full face mask, but I am a little claustrophobic, too, so I'm worried about being able to tolerate a full face mask

The bottom line is I HATE THE CPAP MACHINE AND THE STUPID MASK.

OP, sorry for my rant -- good luck with your surgery.

I have worked nights for the last 5 years and struggled terribly with staying awake. I didn't sleep well during the day either. I finally talked to my dr. and was sent for a sleep study that was immediately positive for obstructive sleep apnea. I was given a C-PAP and my life has turned around so much because of using it every time that I nap or sleep. I do know that I am a mouth breather and needed a mask that would cover my mouth and nose.

I work on a post-op unit and people who need to spend the night are told to bring their C-PAP and I am amazed with the people who are non-compliant. I wish that everyone would have the success that I am having wtih mine. I had gastric bypass surgery in November and am hoping that by losing the weight, I will be able to get rid of the C-PAP.

Good luck, keep checking and trying to find a correct mask fit. I think that would help you a lot.

Can you please look at this page and see if the type of mask you use is shown?

CPAP Masks at CPAP-Supply.com


Thanks!

My Dh has sleep apnea. When He first started using the machine, he was exhausted and it took a while to be able to get to sleep with it, but now, he sleeps well with it and it has made such a difference. He used to fall asleep during the day whenever he sat down, but now he does not.

Sent you a private message! Vicki