CPAP users

[escapeman]

I've been diagnosed with sleep apnea and am going through the process of being fitted with a mask and the overnight tests. My apnea causes me to sleep while at work and worse while driving and I wake up tired and with headaches from lack of oxygen. The first night of the test I couldn't sleep a wink. I did fall asleep twice for milliseconds and had  episodes each time that awoke me.  The tech wanted to fit me with a full faced mask that night to see if it would help me stay asleep. Well I would have none of that. The mask sucked!!!!
Any folks have experiences with CPAP that may be helpful? Don't tell me any horror stories please. 

[redcap]

The wife is claustrophobic. She was fitted with just a nose piece. May not work for everyone but has been pretty good for her. She also take oxygen at night.

[escapeman]

Red, does she have a CPAP or the BIPAP machine?

[redcap]

CPAP

She has had it for at least three years. Had it before we moved here.

[escapeman]

I tried them both today and thought it was easier to exhale with the bipap. I didn't like either one to be honest. I just wore the full face mask for 20 minutes while on here trying to get used to it. Red, has your wife's sleep improved because of the CPAP?

[redcap]

Well, mine has!

Truly she does sleep more soundly and certainly more quietly.

It is not a cure all. She doesn't take the CPAP on trips but does arrange for the oxygen.

My doc was very much pushing for one for me but I studied hard enough to pass the sleep test. 

[Wiener]

I dont' use it, but my brother in law has one  CPAP the mask.  He hated it at first but now he claims he would not be happy without it.  It has improved his sleep very much.  He says he wakes rested and ready for a day of work.

[escapeman]

So far so good with the CPAP machine. Although I have to shut if off when I go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Son of a gun sounds like a hair dryer if i lay the the mask on the night stand without shutting it down. I guess that's because the setting is so high. I've also noticed my penis is getting bigger, some air must find it's way to it.