Study: After Watching Disturbing Video, CPAP Usage Soars

More than half of those prescribed a CPAP mask to keep their airways open at night don’t use it, but when Mark Aloia, PhD, a sleep expert at National Jewish Health showed patients videos of themselves struggling to take in air while sleeping, he found that their usage rate increased significantly.

[lisamartin]

I went for my first sleep study and I was put on a CPAP a half an hour after going to sleep at the sleep center and when my tech put the mask on the first time it felt like heaven on earth because I could actually breathe properly and I noticed right away an improvement and I went to sleep and felt much better after waking up. Best thing I ever did.

[commanderstarstrider]

Ive been using it for a year now. I have never NOT used it since I got it. Its changed my life.

[cuatropolis]

I didn't hesitate to use it, first night I used it, I slept so deeply that I peed myself

[alabaster]

I was very fatigued every day and was declining even more. I thought it was because I was menopausal. My daughter saved me. She heard me snoring and looked in on me and during snoring, I also had an episode that caused me to struggle to breathe. She saw this as well. After that happened to me, I told her to sleep in my bed and wake me up every time I snored. Well, every time I fell asleep, I immediately started snoring again. Plus she said she saw me have an episode with my breathing again that she described as looking much worse than the other breathing episode. I knew I had sleep apnea. I went to a doctor who specializes in the condition and did an at-home sleep study with a monitor that is strapped to the chest. I just got my results and they confirmed my condition. I can't wait to get my machine. I've been single so I've been sleeping alone and who knows how long this was going on. I'm just thankful I found out.
It's so important to get treatment because aside from causing serious daytime fatigue, it puts a strain on your body that can take years off your life.
If you think you have it, get tested.

[edcastilloromo]

that was me a month ago... I was dying a little bit every night...the airsense 10 has been a blessing

[alansaldivares]

I just can't get used to it, it's invasive nonetheless necessary. I'm not enjoying the therapy at all.

[haventhebeast]

Typing this on with my mask on first night using it and I'm loving it best sleep I've gotten in years

[allanhclark]

I've used a CPAP machine for over eleven years now. I even travel with it. However, one of my doctors was unable to get used to it.

[lchurch]

Most people writing off CPAP machines in the first few weeks need to try more mask styles. There are literally dozens of different styles available. Personally I recommend nose pillows with the host connecting at the top of the head. Life changer. Way less invasive than those that fit like a cup over your nose. Now....if you have mouth breathing issues, then I think you're kinda stuck, but if not, try the nose pillows.

[edthelazyboy]

CPAP has helped me a lot. I no longer get jolted awake gasping for air. During the day, I used to fight really hard to stay awake in long meetings or just at my desk.

If you have a hard time with CPAP, start making adjustments. I got a heated hose and humidifier chamber since I complained about the cold, dry air initially. I played around with the temperature / humidifier settings till it didn't feel to cold or dry. I got a hose wrap and played around with the humidifier settings more when I had hose condensation issues. I didn't like the full face mask so I switched to the nasal mask. I had issues with exhaling so I made adjustments to my ramp up time and enabled EPR (Exhale Pressure Relief). Again, make adjustments if CPAP is too uncomfortable for you.

[MariusVerbavicius]

First step. Do not eat 4-6h before sleep. It changed my sleep instantly. Of course not perfect still but a lot lot better

[modelsncrawlers]

I remember being woken up several times from sleep apnea, but one stands out.. I was asleep in a recliner one night, and it felt like someone literally pulled my throat open and i flung myself out of the chair down to my hands and knees on the floor, taking the biggest, deepest breaths I'd ever taken. I'd say it's the closest feeling you'll ever have to drowning, like when you're about to open your mouth under water as you're getting to the surface, and that gasp of air is so powerful that it hurts. And bcuz you weren't breathing, you're trying to get out the carbon dioxide while filling your lungs with oxygen, so it's a battle of breath regulation which is so hard to control when it feels like your suffocating. I was on the ground for several minutes just trying to catch my breath. Terrifying feeling bcuz sometimes you feel like you're NOT gonna catch your breath. And of course, you're just not sleeping right bcuz your brain is constantly aware of that chance of it happening again. Scary shit...

[Cosy.Anjalea]

I got diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, saying i stopped breathing 51 times during the at home sleep study.
Weird thing is, like most people, I wasn't aware until my mom pointed it out when i was 16. Now I'm 29, and is waiting on my cpap machine to deliver. Can't wait to get into a better circadian rhythm.

[blairakana]

I use the nose piece with my CPAP. I first did not like using the CPAP machine and I could not stand it. However, I traded for a half an hour and then one hour and then two hours and then surely I started wearing it for the whole night and noticed that I would stop snoring and I can breathe through my nose all night without getting stuffed up. Now I love my CPAP machine and it lets me get a good nights sleep. You just have to Keep trying to get used to and you’ll like it after a while. It will help!

[sykotikmommy]

My 12 year old has obstructed sleep apnea and his sleep is getting worse. I'm now fighting to get them to give him a cpap machine.

[lexinarts]

I genuinely have no idea how people can tolerate CPAP. I’ve tried and tried and I wake up in a panic every single time. I’m constantly trying to adjust the mask that’s either too tight or too lose. And even when I get it “right”, my airways still close off and it’s even worse than when I don’t use CPAP

[pcfire]

It’s not that bad. I was a firefighter for 15 years…so used to the feeling. I use APAP and just feels like breathing with an SCBA on.

[pietleroux]

The results of my sleep study convinced me: my oxygen levels dropped to 67% ! plus I slept less than 4 hours a night on average because I kept on waking up all night. After a week with my CPAP I managed to to sleep 8 hours, something I only dreamed about.

[zacharybond]

I can't stand the CPAP. I have tried it numerous times and for hours at a time, yet I fail to sleep or sleep well with it. Hopefully other people get benefits from it, but I will look toward alternatives.

[bonbonjames]

I tried it for the first time last night and felt like I was suffocating, I can’t get a good exhale with it. Anyone else struggle with this? It’s only at the lowest setting for and feels like I can’t breathe :(