Hi Johnny,
Not being here often means that you don't *need* to be here - and that has to be a good thing!
I regularly use CPAP - but mostly BiPAP - but not on MY face!!!
I'm usually the one putting it on and doing the coaxing to wear it! I am a PT and I work with teens and young adults with Cystic Fibrosis. They often need to be trained to use it overnight as their lung condition declines and then intermittently through the day or even for a couple of days at a stretch (fulltime) when they are acutely ill.
The facts are that:
1.CPAP / BiPAP is instrusive, restrictive, noisy, uncomfortable and annoying!
2. CPAP / BiPAP is a VERY efficient way of getting good airway managment and oxygenation to the lungs, thereby reducing the risk of hypoxic injury to body tissues!
So how to marry the 2??? What can you add to the mix to improve your ability to sleep?
*Camomile tea, lavender baths, Valerian capsules, a massage with rose/lavender oil before bed... all easy 'natural' assisitives (see Molly's post for Good Sleep for a few extras: #433838 - Sun Feb 27 2011 05:03 PM Re: "Amitriptyline" thread in "AS Pharmacy")
*Do you need better pain relief overnight - even if only in the short term?
*Will your doctor give you a script for a light sedative for a couple of months?
*A longer hose on your BiPAP?
*Look at the alternatives - do you need to lose significant weight? - being overweight makes it worse...the dental device that Drizzit mentioned or the "Horrendoplasty" surgery that ENT surgeons perform for some folks - these 2 are only appropriate for a couple of causes of sleep apnoea.
*A more determined attitude?
Seriously - I agree with Jeanne's husband's experience - 4-5 hours of reducing potential damage to your heart muscle/night is better than NO hours!
As I said initially, CPAP/BiPAP masks and machines are a real PITB to wean into - keep plugging along looking at the Big Picture - it always takes patience and determination and an understanding of the potential damage from NOT using your BiPAP to get used to it.
Good luck with finding solutions and persistence,
