Greenheron

Have used one for several years--set mine on a wooden chair. The only problem I had was fitting the nosepiece together correctly after cleaning. For almost a week annoying squeals and squeaks disturbed my rest. Then I discovered I wasn't getting the triangular plastic frame seated correctly. Once that was solved, I became accustomed to the CPAP quickly.

One of my meds. is causing hot-flash-like symptoms now so I direct a small fan toward the head of the bed so I don't sweat so much I slither right out of the head gear. :roll: :roll: :roll:

Stick with it......absolutely worth the adjustment you must make. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

purplemem

I started over again with one last night.

I am an example of what goes bad if you don't use it. I now have pulmonary hypertension. Whether it was caused by my 2 years of not using the CPap or from residual damage from my PE's is not known, however, the pulmonary specialist did say non-use will cause PH to happen. PH is VERY bad, life expectancy after diagnosis is 3-5 years AT BEST.

BTW, because of my PE I was told NOT to use it by my doctors.

My CPap has a memory card in it. If I do not use the CPAP for at least 4 hours a day, my payment vendor (in this care medicare) will NOT pay for the CPAP and will bill ME for it.

Your insurance provider may have the same arrangement.

Cyn

My hubby has one. It took him almost 2 months to get use to it but once he did- he won't sleep without it. It has changed our lives for the better! I did buy him a special pillow and a pole that the hose goes in. When we travel and we do a lot :) he doesn't take them. Keep trying because our lives changed so much with good night sleep :)

SharonTheriault

I had a C-pap for several years before I started to use it regularly. That was after a minor surgery and while in recovery I kept setting the alarm off when I stopped breathing. The anathesiologist (can't spell it) came in and read me the riot act, scared me silly. I am now using a Bi-pap machine, the next step up, because I not only wasn't breathing in, I wasn't breathing out. It takes awhile to get the head gear adjusted so it doesn't slip around. But keep at it until you have it right. I keep my machine on the end table and put the hose above my head between my pillow and the headboard. I sleep so well with the Bi-pap that I don't hear the hose noise anymore. Please keep trying until you get it right. The people at the company that provides your machine, filters and masks can help with lots of these problems. Bless you.

rainbow quilter

Thanks for the great replies, everyone!

I'm not giving up for good, but just wasn't willing to get up in the middle of the night to take everything apart and dry it out after the water went everywhere.

I was afraid that I had ruined it and wasn't looking forward to telling the home health company that I ruined it after one night! Luckily, everything worked once I dried it out.

Amandasgramma, thanks so much for the info about the water pillow. I'm a stomach sleeper too, so that's so good to know!

Sadiemae

I understand. When I had my surgery the nurses kept waking me up because even with the oxygon on, my levels kept going down in the 70's. They had a fit and my doctor sent me immediately to the sleep clinic.

Granny Quilter

You might need sleeping pills for the first week or two. After you get used to it, you will be glad you have it.

AngieS

My husband says use a minimum of an 8' hose. Most come with 6' but get the 8'. Don't let it go to the side. You can put a blanket or a towel down over the side if you have no headboard. The whole key is finding the right mask to make it successful. Even if that means going through 2 or 3 mask. The ones that have the pieces that go in your nose seem painful. Have tried those before but hurt! If that doesn't work in the end.....a 5th of gin and you'll never know anything! HA!! (all of this comes from my husband by the way-he uses the machine.)

ritamaew

I have been on CPAP for 2 years. I keep mine on the floor. I have a homemade fleece covering over the hose and I have a HOZEBOSS which is a simple device held on to the headboard or wall with a command strip so it removes without damage and allows me to turn etc without problems. I got 2 (1 for travel) from Amazon and it has been the best asset. The pole type devices are both in the way and flimsy. I am going to look for that water pillow however. CPAP will improve your life.

Rita

Kim T

It does take a while to get used to it, but I have had mine about 2 years and cant sleep without it. I used to flip my mask off during the night and felt like I couldnt move or I would pull the hose. I sleep so much better and my husband does not have to listen to my snoring anymore. My grandchildren with tell me they will sleep with me but only if I have my "machine" on.