I'm a large (athletic guy) with severe obstructive sleep apnea.
I'm a heavy equipment operator. Before I knew I had sleep apnea I couldnt figure out why I never got any sleep. After falling asleep behind the wheel a few times and flipping my car I was diagnosed with sleep apnea.
In an overnight sleep study they found I stop breathing 85 times per hour and they set the pressure on my cpap to maximum.
The first time I used it I felt like it was the first time in my life that I had ever slept.
Like night and day.
Anyway... I hate the thing. It's only slightly better than the potential of dying yet I cant sleep without it.
Now i've been unemployed for a couple years and cant afford to have it repaired... It still works I assume but it's held together with duct tape :p
Imo I think tue whole sleep apnea industry is just a massive lame money grab. All the expensive equipment that breaks down and tirns obsolete so quickly.
But the sleep apnea i'm sure is a real condition.
The treatment is like a drug and the fear of death keeps us hooked.
Now... Why I hate it so much. I am VERY active. Or I was (sorry it's difficult to talk about this without wanting to swear a whole lot)
Now... I cant just randomly travel or lose myself in the wilderness for weeks at a time like I used to live for. I cant visit people or crash at someones house... I've tried and everyone gets upset at the racket of the machine... I have no chance at a relationship... The times i've attempted a relationship they always freak out at the noise and air from this machine.
(Dont get me wrong... Its a dead quiet machine but when your sleeping a pin drop is loud and a cpap in the room might as well be a hurricane)
The "specialist" said "it doesnt make a sound, and you will learn to love it"
I wont even use the colorful language I want to say to that...
I wear earplugs to sleep... Before the cpap the sound of a mouse farting could wake me up.
Its uncomfortable, it's horrible and I use it religiously... I'm teathered to this nightmare for life, just so I can live, what life is that?
Over the years I have searched every possible option.
Surgeries, I would do this in a heartbeat BUT none of it seems permanent or really effective.
Ive looked at some of those super small cpaps. Any good?
I wanted a dental appliance (waaaaaaaaay to expensive) I tried a snore gaurd from walmart... Eliminates the annoying machine but doesnt really help me breath.
Are there any other options or am I resigned to a life of living death? It crushes my soul.
Now lmao... Rant over. I have a question:
I am going to start living and hiking and traveling again BUT theres no way I will drag this machine with me.
I wont sleep, I will be sick... The way I was before the machine. Is there ANY other option? Is there any surgery or small discreet device that actually works?
Or am I doomed?