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

frankie1star

thats the one I had, but it became such an issue with me, because I got the point where I was scared to sleep with it on. So was inbetween the devil and the deep blue seat. I know it became psychological and didnt ever think I would get over, hence my decision to give it.

Prior to being given a cpap the hospital gave me some sleep test machines and did say I was borderline.

BigMummaF

Frankie, I would urge you to give cpap another go. When I first started, it would take me a long while to slow down my breathing, & then forever to fall asleep coz I was concentrating so much!
But it does all come together.
HTH

natanddan1

BigMummaF wrote: »

Frankie, I would urge you to give cpap another go. When I first started, it would take me a long while to slow down my breathing, & then forever to fall asleep coz I was concentrating so much!
But it does all come together.
HTH

I would second that, its sometimes makes you feel the need to breath deeper and quicker, but its amazing that once you just relax and breath normally you fall asleep very quickly. One thing that works for me was to switch the machine on and then listen to my ipod. It helped me concentrate listening to the music instead of the machine sound and breathing. Its very rare now that i get past the 3rd song beofre i am fast asleep.

kittykirsty

I just wrote a huge reply, but it timed out and i lost it!! :mad: :mad: Will try and reproduce what i wrote!

Wow, so many people have posted since i was here last! Hi to all the CPAPpers, apnoears and long suffering partners!! :hello: :rotfl: :grouphug:

It's amazing how many people on here have the condition, or have partners who have the condition! I wonder how many people there are out there who don't know that they have it?! If it wasn't for the Internet, we wouldn't have worked out that i have sleep apnoea. And i'm so glad that i was sure about it before i went to the doctor who referred me, as she was trying to tell me that i don't have it (I don't fit the usual demographic apparently!).

mrcow: My letters from the clinic said i was going to have a trial, but basically it was to just to make sure that i got along with the machine (or Bertha as i have now christened her!), and to go back a couple of times in the month to adjust the pressure, try some other masks etc to make sure i got the most out of it. There was no mention of me not getting to keep it, so long as i was happy with it!

Also, the people at the clinic told me that i'd have to inform the DVLA if i applied for a provisional licence (I don't drive at all), and when i get my full licence. I think as long as it's being managed then there's no problem at all, and sometimes they request more information from the sleep clinic about how well you're doing with the machine. If your OH's licence has been taken by them because of the apnoea, he should be able to get in touch with them and appeal, saying that he's now receiving treatment. There's loads more information about all this on the apnoea forum that Violetta posted about as well.

I've had a crappy few weeks since i posted as i have been full of the cold and unable to use Bertha! Thankfully the cold has gone, but it's left behind this horrid hacking cough (nasty smoking :rolleyes: )! So i didn't have much to tell the woman at the clinic on Wednesday.

Last time though they gave me another mask to try, and i had been able to wear it long enough to know that i hated it!! It really really hurt, i wonder if i just have the weirdest facial structure ever!! So that went back to them, and i'm back on the Resmed mask, but with a deeper seal bit to try, so hopefully that will stop all the little leaks that happen (and those farty sounds that go with it!). Hopefully i'll be able to try it out in the next couple of days!

So, how's everyone else getting on?

Have we got enough people for a clique yet?!:rotfl:

kittykirsty

Also forgot to say that this postcode lottery thing is a nightmare and makes a joke out of the NHS, but if it helps i go to the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow and they have been brilliant! It took a little while to get to use a machine, but i have got to keep it and there was no question of me getting one. They also seem to have all the extra bits and pieces like other masks to try, although haven't asked about a humidifier to add onto the machine.

And thanks for all the questions about how i am getting on with it all! We took the room humidifier back to currys for a refund and got one from John Lewis (2 years warranty so it really was moneysaving as it was only about £25-£30 pounds anyway, about the same as the currys one), and that works a treat! Oh can't complain about Bertha now as he has Henry the humidifer!! Only problem is mine is noisier than his! Has anyone else had to buy pieces of equipment that the NHS can't give you? I'm a gadget freak, so wondering how i can pimp Bertha out!! :rotfl:

mrcow

Easliy enough for a clique! :rotfl:

My boyfriend has his appointment on Monday. I'm intrigued as to what he's going to come back with. I'm thinking perhaps it's going to be like sleeping with Darth Vader next to me (but I have no idea where I've got that idea from! :eek:). If it is, my son will love it!

We'll see, and I'll let you know how we (he) get(s) on.

kittykirsty

This is most like the mask i've got:

Violetta_2

Hi that's the same as my one it's ok but still found myself waking up with the bottom of my mask between my teeth. :eek: Cant be good for me. Is it better with the seal being deeper didn't know that was a possibility.
It was me that mentioned we call my mask Darth mrcow but it is in an affectionate way:rotfl: honest.
Think we may be a clique:beer: , an exclusive 1 though. any nominations for names I think it should be a funny one.

BigMummaF

Hey...what about Bertha's Buddies for a name?

That should get the others puzzling.;)

Just realised that I sounded like one of those stupid 60s films......."Let's put on a show!" & they miraculously start singing the same words & doing the same dance steps :rotfl: :rotfl:

kittykirsty

BigMummaF wrote: »

Hey...what about Bertha's Buddies for a name?

That should get the others puzzling.;)

Just realised that I sounded like one of those stupid 60s films......."Let's put on a show!" & they miraculously start singing the same words & doing the same dance steps :rotfl: :rotfl:

:rotfl: :rotfl:

Lol, Bertha's buddies, or Brenda's buddies :T :T

I have no imagination so i can't think of anything to suggest