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Just out of curiosity -- do people eventually learn to love CPAP?
#11
RE: Just out of curiosity -- do people eventually learn to love CPAP?
Maybe not "love", but I understand the need for it in my case, and I look forward to a good nights sleep each night using it.  It took a long time to get to that point.
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#12
RE: Just out of curiosity -- do people eventually learn to love CPAP?
Love.... don't think that will ever happen, but I know I can't do without.
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

_______________________
OSCAR Chart Organization
How to Attach Images and Files.
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Soft Cervical Collar
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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#13
RE: Just out of curiosity -- do people eventually learn to love CPAP?
I'm not sure I say I LOVE it... I'd much rather have non-sleep-disordered breathing and the ability to fall asleep unfettered wherever I want, and to wake up feeling good... but I don't hate it either. In fact, if I fall asleep now without my mask because I'm dozy, then I jerk awake pretty fast because it doesn't feel right and I even wake up sometimes with it on and I have to check if the machine is actually running because I can't even tell, and my pressure stays high (15 minimum). Now that I've found a mask that works for me, and the collar helps prevent chin drop, leaks, dry mouth etc, it's just a quick bedtime routine, put everything on, only takes a minute, hit the buttons, and off I go.

So yes - it does get easier. And especially if you can see that it's actively improving your wellbeing (for me, the end to 3-6 days of crippling migraines and 10-20 minute vomiting is more than enough to keep up even with the imperfect therapy I have).
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#14
RE: Just out of curiosity -- do people eventually learn to love CPAP?
Six years on CPAP now and I can probably say I love it because of what it has done for me.  I'm not feeling hung over everyday, I wake up refreshed, I don't have bags under my eyes anymore and I don't sound like a freight train due to heavy snoring.  I don't nap often but when I do, I strap the mask on.  I find it easier to sleep and breath with it.  I travel a lot for work and always take my CPAP with me.  Never a bother.  Just a routine. 

Because I'm so open about my CPAP experience with my work colleagues, three of them have since had sleep studies and been diagnosed with apnea.  They have been as fortunate/successful in their CPAP journey as I have.

As my avatar suggests, I'm a "hoser" but I'm good with that.
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#15
RE: Just out of curiosity -- do people eventually learn to love CPAP?
Thanks to all who responded. I guess I can understand why CPAP is more tolerable for people who get an obvious benefit from it. I suppose if I end up sticking with it, I'll have to look into ways to make it more palatable.

Best wishes, DS
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#16
RE: Just out of curiosity -- do people eventually learn to love CPAP?
Before you give up too quickly, you should know that it can take a while to notice the good effects of the treatment. In my case, I was first tested in 2003 and refused treatment. (I can only wonder what sort of machine I would have gotten.) By 2010 I was falling asleep in the afternoon at work, so I took early retirement. Finally, late in 2014, a Resident at the Family Clinic suggested I get a sleep test - I had totally forgotten about the earlier one. By March 2015 I had an AirSense 10 AutoSet, but it wasn't until August or September that I noticed my "How are you?" reply had changed from "Not too bad." to "Pretty good, thanks." I had been sleep deprived for more than ten years.
Apnea Board Monitors are members who help oversee the smooth functioning of the Board. They are also members of the Advisory Committee which helps shape Apnea Board's rules & policies. Membership in the Advisory Members group does not imply medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.
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#17
RE: Just out of curiosity -- do people eventually learn to love CPAP?
(01-04-2022, 10:43 AM)pholynyk Wrote: Before you give up too quickly, you should know that it can take a while to notice the good effects of the treatment. 
Sure. And I'm aware that there's no easy way to predict how long that will take. In my case, though, I'm probably asymptomatic, although there's no question that I have a moderate OSA and possibly other problems. I don't want to make this about me, because I already have another thread for my whinging.
At present, I see CPAP as similar to running. I hate running, but I do it every day because I believe it will be good for me in the long term. It's hard, though -- especially when it's cold, and raining, and my knees hurt, and I have too much to do. I get nothing out of it in the short term.
CPAP is like that -- I hope that it will be good for me in the long term, but my heart sinks whenever I put the mask on.
Damn! I am whinging again. Sorry.
Best wishes, DS
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#18
RE: Just out of curiosity -- do people eventually learn to love CPAP?
Whining is ok...
The mask is the hardest. If you don't find that perfect mask "for you", then adjusting to and accepting Cpap therapy won't happen. You have to love that mask first.
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

_______________________
OSCAR Chart Organization
How to Attach Images and Files.
OSCAR - The Guide
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing therapy
OSCAR supported machines
Mask Primer



INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#19
RE: Just out of curiosity -- do people eventually learn to love CPAP?
I am only 3 months in and it was tough getting it all worked out. The turning point was finding the right mask. Thankfully I only tried 2 before someone offered a free one and I decided to try it. From the first night it was miraculous the difference it made. Plus I keep reading on here and on the other big CPAP forum and someone suggested that headgear from another brand was much better than the one that comes on this mask. I have not had a leak or any other problem since changing to this mask and headgear. So I no longer dread going to bed.

I am one who had NO identifiable sleep apnea symptoms other than developing atrial fibrillation. So I cannot tell that I sleep better. But like you and running, I will stick with it for my health.

You are very early into your journey so stick with it, feel free to whine and complain on here. We have all been where you are and totally understand.

But do find that right mask! It is the secret.
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#20
RE: Just out of curiosity -- do people eventually learn to love CPAP?
Never had a problem using CPAP, setting issues to resolve my apnea yes. I do have a problem not using it
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