BiPAP machines and aspies.

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Has anyone had to use one of these or a CPAP for sleep apnea? I'm half way into week two and I may sleep a few short hours one day or barely at all the next. I sometimes feel like it wasn't worth getting help for my day time sleepyness or maybe that it's just as bad. "Oh you'll get used to it" they say. I doubt it. I was lucky to have one night that wasn't too bad. How van anyone sleep comfortably with this thing?

My anxiety comes over it and then another moment I'm all depressed and want to cry. I go online and find that I may have to weat it for the rest of my life, which depresses me even more. I know that sensativity is an issue with autism, so this may be a real problem. I tried taking a 5mg tablet of melatonin last night. No such luck. PM medicines give me restless leg. Wouldn't it be better to drug me to sleep, so I won't even know it's there?

So has anyone had to use one? How did you deal? Do you still use it? If you don't how do you deal with apnea?

I don't use one but I've read up on them.

What kind of mask is it? Is it the one that covers both the mouth and nose, or the one that covers the nose alone? Is it high pressure or low?

If it's simply the fit of the mask, uncomfortable, you might do better with a different style.

Do you have trouble with dry mouth or nose? A lot of the help articles suggest using a humidifier to moisten the air.

If it's the noise, you could try a white noise machine, the articles say that it could take your mind off of not sleeping or the machine's noise itself.

And if the mask is giving you claustrophobia, the articles suggest wearing it for short periods of time (and making those periods longer over time) while you are watching TV, so that you get used to having it on your face.

I have two different masks. Over the nose and a smaller one that just sits in the nose. Neither are comfortable anf part of it is due to the noise and the constant air being given to me. I'd much rather breathe on my own. I also can't lie in a position withput worrying about whether or not I'm going to make it not work so well. Also, not everyone can tolerate the cpap. My uncle gave up on his.

Here are some links I found about using the BiPAP machine. One is a blog and the other is a forum.

http://livingono2forlife.wordpress.com/ ... p-machine/

http://www.cpaptalk.com/CPAP-Sleep-Apnea-Forum.html

Have you tried using the machine's ramp function for the air pressure stuff? Some people use it if they are having trouble with the air pressure on them when they are trying to sleep. If the ramp time is too short, it can be lengthened by the doctor.

Also another article says to try watching TV while you wait to fall asleep. The noise and picture seems to help some fall asleep because it distracts them from the machine.

For the sleep position, do you tend to toss and turn, or is it lying on your side or stomach? I think with having the mask inadvertently come off, I think there might be different kinds of straps to keep it in place, along with mask brands that are designed for people who tend to sleep funny.

I would also try asking the people on that CPAP forum. There are a lot of people on there who have gotten over their initial issues and anxieties with the machine and it's traits, and reading the stories the newbies post might prove cathartic. Plus there seems to be good advice on there about the odd 'what if's' about using the machine, such as "How do I still use my machine during a power outage?'

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2010 and was tested and had 26 pane as an hour. The doctors and therapists prescribed me a Cpap to use and I did for a few months but I have stopped using it and I am going to have the surgery. Anyone have the surgery?

I have minor obstructive sleep-apnea but I have a slightly deviated septum that could be causing it. I have an appointment with an ears-nose-&-throat doc on about the 6th or 7th. I also had conic sinus problems thought my life so maybe I can get my nose corrected. My GP suggested I have a sleep-study if I still have the apnea; I may but I rather take things one step at a time & see if I can get the nose corrected 1st & if so if it helps. Anyways I read on a few sites that the med Modafinil which is a wakefulness-promoting drug (eugeroic) is sometimes used to reduce tiredness for people on those machines. Clicky WebMD Link.