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[Trooper]

For me it was not the snoring that was the issue. I simply stop breathing. Thus, my little brain doesn't get enough oxygen nourishment.
 
For those who have been following this topic and don't know very much about this issue - -
 - -  here's a explanatory video from the Mayo Clinic.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/multimedia/obstructive-sleep-apnea/vid-20084717

[Bentley]

As a child and young adult, before I became obese, I was a vivid dreamer...I cant even remember the last time I had a dream!

I felt worse for about 5 weeks,  REM rebound,  like OD on RÈM sleep...

[cookingjnj]

Dreams don't only happen while sleeping. We are all here on this site due to a dream which you help keep going. Thanks for your dreams Bentley!

[RichW]

Wow, what a subject, I just wish I had listened to my wife 20 years earlier about my snoring.  I have had apnea since I was 25 and only weighed 150 lbs.  and it just kept getting worse and worse.  It is probably often the cause of weight gain since the exhaustion that is part of it causes the body to crave more and more nourishment for oxygen deprived cells.  It has been a vicious condition and without having been on the cpap for the last 10 years I am pretty sure my snoring or my wife would have killed me by now.  Good luck to all dealing with this insidious monster that will not relent but can be tamed.

 

[BigDave83]

I got one about 6 weeks ago. Dream Station from Phillips,with a mask for nose and mouth as my mouth comes open at times when I sleep.
It is set at 16 and I have the water at 4. I am a stomach sleeper it is rough to try to do that wearing one of these things.

I hear all of he can't sleep with out it, and I feel so rested and energized, I am trying to figure out how to sleep with it on. I tried just laying on my back,and my side isn't to bad. I just don't sleep that well and find at times I just take it off after 4 or 5 hours.

What is the secret?

[GatorDave]

I got one about 6 weeks ago. Dream Station from Phillips,with a mask for nose and mouth as my mouth comes open at times when I sleep.
It is set at 16 and I have the water at 4. I am a stomach sleeper it is rough to try to do that wearing one of these things.

I hear all of he can't sleep with out it, and I feel so rested and energized, I am trying to figure out how to sleep with it on. I tried just laying on my back,and my side isn't to bad. I just don't sleep that well and find at times I just take it off after 4 or 5 hours.

What is the secret?

Hang in there with it  You will definitely go through some tough sleeping nights, but eventually you get used to it.  It took me almost a month to get used to mine, but fighting through some sleepless nights (quite a few) was well worth it.  Basically I would get no sleep for a couple days until I was so tired I fell asleep wearing the mask, then rinse and repeat for that month.  I was also a stomach sleeper, but now I sleep every which way.  I had the same mouth open problem as you, but I use an elastic strap to keep my mouth closed and only use the nasal mask.

[Bar-B-Lew]

Stomach sleeper here too.  Struggled for first month or so only keeping mask on about 4-6 hours a night.  Now I sleep on back, right side, stomach, left side, repeat all thru the night but feel I get a good sleep.  I only have the nasal pillow mask but have the same machine you have although mine is bipap - 15 in and 10 out.  I use about 2/3 cup of distilled water per night set at initial setting from the doctor.  Seems to work fine.  Knock on wood, I don't remember having sinus cold for last almost 3 years that I have been using the machine with the humidifier.  I do find my eyes are dry though from air leaking from mask into the eyes and our ceiling fan blowing down on us.  There is another mask that has tube coming down from top of your head.  You may want to look into that.  Your insurance company should pay for it as you are still sorting out which mask you need.  I tried it, but ended up switching back to the tube coming into the mouth.  I know others that like the new style and keep using it.  I used to get sleepy after eating.  Don't have that issue since I started using the machine consistently.

[LowSlowJoe]

I used to be a stomach sleeper.   I couldn't sleep on my back... Until I got CPAP.   I still don't sleep on my back very much, but I can now that I have CPAP.  I mostly sleep very comfortably on my side now, I can't imagine sleeping on my stomach with CPAP, too much stuff in the way of my face. 

[Bar-B-Lew]

I can't imagine sleeping on my stomach with CPAP, too much stuff in the way of my face.

There is an art to it.

[SmokinHandyman]

I never could sleep on my back before CPAP.
Now I sleep the best on my back.

It does take time to get use to the machine but it is well worth it.

[glitchy]

I got diagnosed and a DreamStation about three and a half months ago. I still fight with it every night almost. I’ve even woken up with the hose wrapped around my neck. I definitely have a love hate relationship so far. My Apnea was diagnosed as very mild, but I had headaches more mornings than not and a grouchy wife from the snoring. I have only had a couple of headaches total since getting my CPAP and my wife has not moved or kicked me to the spare room. For the first 45 days plus I struggled to get to sleep almost every night and about once every 3-4 days I’d have a wonderful night of sleep. Now, I only struggle to sleep one or two nights a week.

So BigDave83, stick with it. I think it will pay off in the long run. I was a stomach sleeper my whole life and have learned to sleep on my side. I bought the CPAP pillow that my respitory therapist said could be gimmicky and have had good luck with that. It helps you with sleeping on your side by taking some pressure off the mask. I’m also excited to try my new mask, but have been waiting to get over a cold before germing up a brand new rig.

Also, my new mask is the Resmed F30, it’s full face, but under your nose, so a lot smaller. My current is he F20 which looks like an oxygen mask.

[KeithG]

I have had one now for about a year. I had one 20 years ago and couldn’t stand it. The new one is so much better I can’t believe it.

The biggest side benefit for me is I no longer have to get up during the night to go to the bathroom. My respiratory therapist said that would be the case, but I didn’t believe her. She said that it is the apnea events that wake you up and make you aware of the need to go. After about a week, I found she was right.

Because of a breathing disorder, I am on supplemental oxygem 24/7/365. That is also connected to my CPAP. The respiratory therapist suggested keeping a portable urinal next to the bed which I still do just in case.

It sucks to get old, but it is still better than the alternative!

[Mikro]

Been using one for about 19 years now. Best choice I made was going to the sleep study. Now to lose 50lbs.
mk

[dk117]

I don't have a CPAP, my father does.  Guys we all know the answer, no drinking and lose 20 lbs.   Both are a challenge for me, but even the limited drinking and losing 10 lbs moves me from unhealthy snoring to not a CPAP candidate.  Just a little change makes a big difference. 

[GatorDave]

I don't have a CPAP, my father does.  Guys we all know the answer, no drinking and lose 20 lbs.   Both are a challenge for me, but even the limited drinking and losing 10 lbs moves me from unhealthy snoring to not a CPAP candidate.  Just a little change makes a big difference.

Sadly for me, I had sleep apnea before I gained the weight, and I rarely drink.