Picked Up Cpap Machine Today

[Fire Courage]

No more denial. It has really sunked in now.....I have sleep apnea :) .

How many here use this machine and what are your thoughts on it?

[pacmanx1]

Fire Courage,

Sorry but if you can not get a nexus statement (IMO) or get a statement from your doctor that says your Sleep apnea is as least likely or not related to your military service or service connected conditions, VA will still deny your claim even if VA issued you your CPAP machine. I know it sounds crazy but that is VA. Sorry to be negative but, Just want you to keep your eyes open

As always hope the best

[Fire Courage]

Pete, yes, I am aware of that. I'm not talking about a claim. I was speaking in terms of daily use of this machine and how others felt about it. Does it help? etc. etc.

Once I read your post, I had to look back. In my first post I said something about "No more denial". I am talking about me no longer being in denial about this conditions existence.

Sorry for the confusion.

But, I was just wanting to know from others who use the machine what they felt about it.

[Bonzai]

I have had mine since November 2009, and have gotten used to it. Sometimes I still wake up tearing it off, or it is blowing full force because I have stopped breathing.

It just takes awhile to get used to it. I sleep better, but being Bipolar, I haven't slept all that much on a regular basis, and still don't.

[pacmanx1]

quote]Pete, yes, I am aware of that. I'm not talking about a claim. I was speaking in terms of daily use of this machine and how others felt about it. Does it help? etc. etc.

Once I read your post, I had to look back. In my first post I said something about "No more denial". I am talking about me no longer being in denial about this conditions existence.

Sorry for the confusion.

But, I was just wanting to know from others who use the machine what they felt about it.

[Vync]

I don't have one, but my girlfriend does. It's easy for me to sleep through with the noise and all, but she hates it. I hear the first couple of weeks take some getting used to.

[broncovet]

I have used a CPAP for about a year. I am not service connected for OSA.

It is critically important that the mask you use is comfortable, and fits you well. I use "nasal pillows" type of mask..air goes in the nose only. It does not block your view, and, after you get used to it, you can even talk with the mask on.

I wont go without my CPAP. It is wonderfull not being sleepy during the day. I wake up refreshed. My quality of life has improved significantly with the CPAP.

Basically, I dont have a choice. I found out that I have an enlarged right side of the heart, which is a symptom of untreated OSA. What happens is, you stop breathing hundreds of times per nite. Then you wake up. Then you go back to sleep, stop breathing wake up. You never get restful sleep. Since I was not getting enough oxygen, being literally choked by the sleep apnea, my right side of my heart compensated by getting larger to pump more blood to make up for the lack of oxygen at nite. If this is allowed to continue, without the CPAP the right side of the continues to get larger and your heart becomes "unbalanced" and, well, it eventually kills you. Because my OSA was discovered and treated, it literally saved my life.

If your mask is uncomfortable, or you cant work it right, go back and tell your sleep doc you want to try another type of mask. There are many. Keep trying until you get one that works. If your doc has prescribed a CPAP, then that means you need it, and it is literally life threatening, tho it often takes years to kill you. Loosing weight will help, if you are significantly overweight. In fact, sometimes enough weight loss will be able to discontinue the CPAP. Basically my problem is excess tissue in the throat that collapses when I relax and fall asleep, choking off my air. The air pressure holds the airway open.

My uncle also uses one, as does my Sunday School teacher. All of them used them for years, and all of them wont be without their CPAP, as I wont. I am far too tired the next day, I feel like I have been "partying all nite" and never went to bed the next day without my CPAP.