Sideffects of CPAP for sleep apnea? And moneysaving treatments for side-effects?

Munchbunch

Hi Vi. Thanks for that. I know that the two can be linked, but my depression started between two back operations around 2000 - I'd been left untreated & was in such pain for so long that I lost the plot before I had my second op & have been up & down ever since then for various reasons unfortunately. I'm sure that the sleep apnoea has made me feel much worse because I'm always so tired, demotivated & lethargic (and have been for a long, long time), but it's a chicken & egg situation as to whether it's the depression making me feel like that or the sleep apnoea. As my doctor said, sometimes sleeping is the body's way of protecting us i.e. you can close everything out & not think about it when you're asleep. I can't say that getting the sleep apnoea diagnosis made me feel much better either!!!

It sounds like your last mask was awful if you ended up with marks & gouges all over your face! The most I get is a slight mark where the strap has been if I sleep on it funny thankfully, but the proof of the pudding will be when I go to the clinic on Friday & see what my card tells them! When do you go back again? Are they ordering a smaller mask for you? Good luck!

Violetta_2

Hi munchbunch, yes the sleep clinic will get me a small mask they just didn't have any in stock, re the red marks I do have sensitive skin but I think I probably had the straps too tight as I was worried about dislodging the maskhad a bit of an odd red mark on my forehead this morning but it had disappeared by the time I showered. I do understand about the depression I have had it in the past & I think I'd had apnoea for years before I was diagnosed, I was just so releived when the dr told me " youre not lazy, you are ill" that I cried, I'd been telling dr's I was tired all the time for well over 10 years there respponse was always , so is everyone else.
Anyhoo I'm waffling now sorry, It does tak a long while to cancel out that sleep defecit but do persevere , good luck at the hospital on Friday let us know how it goes, I'm back there in a fortnight.

Munchbunch

Hi Vi. Went back to the clinic yesterday & everything was ok - no mask leaks, they were happy with pressure etc. Don't have to go back to see them now unless I'm having probs or when I have to take the machine back for a service next year. Nothing now until I see the consultant at the end of July. Know exactly what you mean about the doctors - I'd been complaining about the same thing for years & been told it was down to the depression - sure that part of it was - but am also sure that the sleep apnoea was also contributing it. Mine was only discovered 'cos I had a medication review with a different doctor at the practice & he asked me about snoring & did the questionaire. He referred me to the sleep clinic & the rest is history! Can't believe how much there's been on about it on the tv lately or maybe I just wasn't tuned into it before?? Anyway, maybe if I combine using my machine with getting to bed earlier, I may start to feel the benefits - can only hope, lol!! Let us know how you get on when you go back in a couple of weeks.

anschoo

Congratulations