My DH uses a cpap and it has saved his life! Now I have been diagnosed with all of the different apneas and the doctor put me on a Bipap machine. I forget to breathe at night! Well I also have claustophobia (sp) so I am having a terrible time keeping the mask on more than 2 hours! Don't know what I will do!

Have you considered anti-anxiety medication, or at least something before bed to help you relax and sleep?

Claustrophobia is just like any other -phobia (mine is spiders), and it can usually be treated. Speak with your doctor, and s/he might have some options for you to try.

I am always surprised how many people just give up. Remember, you are taking your life in your own hands.

I have had severe bronchial asthma since I was 3 months old so the thought of something covering my face is a real concern. I know I need to use the machine but it's a real nightmare when you wear it and sleep doesn't come!

My daughter works for a dentist that specializes in oral facial pain and sleep apnea treatment.
There is an alternative to the CPAP called an oral sleep appliance. The Oasys and Somnodent sleep appliances are the two appliances her office uses most often and have about >95% success rate. The appliances are like wearing a bulky retainer, less constricting, no soft noise, portable, decreases chances of infections and there's a higher compliance rate with these appliances compared to the CPAP.

Check out these websites for more information and talk to your ENT's about alternative treatment. www.oasyssleep.com and www.SomnoMed.com

Hope this helps you all to a better nights sleep and a healthier lifestyle!

my dh has really bad sleep apnea. He hates his machine and won't use it. It gives him sinus infections and he would rather not use it. He doesn't snore as loud as he use to but still I can hear him stop breathing. It bothers me that he doesn't use it but he is a big boy and I can only do so much. The dr won't give you a medication to make you sleep because you may not wake up..

OOPS . . . . see my note 2 above this one.
The web sites aren't in blue . . . therefore, not ready for just a click away. Should be:

http://www.oasyssleep.com/

http://www.somnomed.com.au/Home.aspx

OOPS . . . these aren't in blue either. Maybe when I send this off? Well . . . anyway, it's worth the time to check out these appliances.

Oh. Right. Of course.

This is why I'm not in healthcare. LOL!

hubby was without CPAC for the three nights of the weekend........thanks to Irene.

Got electric back yesterday afternoon and I finally got a good night's sleep.....no turning and checking him!!!!!

My hubby is classed as severe and uses a CPAP. I cant sleep now unless I can hear the soft humming from the machine. Funniest thing is when the seal isnt tight enough and he starts blowing what we call face farts. The dog went totaly crazy first time she heard it.

My doc lets me have sleep meds and i use them all the time. in fact, i'm embarrassed to tell you how much meds i take to get to sleep...but sleep is that important to me, i'm dead without it.

i don't use the water with mine and never have, but we live in wet country (Ga), maybe that would cut down on the infections? Or have 2 sets of gear and alternate, allowing each to fully dry over a 24 hour period. Has he talked to his doc about it? Or his cpap supplier? They can sometimes be really helpful.

naw, after even a nite or two the gear can be slipped on and off. i don't use the latches or anything and it has worked fine for me for years.[/quote]

During the brief trial, I just unplugged the hose from the mask. Much easier than removing the entire thing.

My c-pap follow up (was unable to survive with it): Will have surgery to reduce the size of the turbinates, repair the deviated septum, and trim the soft pallet. If that is insufficient, will go back for a trim of something bellow the tongue. Sounds painful - not excited. Looking forward to relief.

I just unplug the hose form my mask if I have to get up at night because I don't want to mess with the seal of my mask if I take it off.
Interesting note: My humudifier smelled "scorched" one night and stopped working. Come to find out, the unit I have (M series of Resmed) has been recalled. So now I have to send it in to get a new one. It's an older machine, I think I got it in 2005. FYI.