I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea about 15 years ago. Even after surgery to remove my tonsils and soft palette, I would still stop breathing 60 to 70 times an hour, which meant that no matter how much sleep I got I would still feel somewhat exhausted every single day of my life.
The only thing the medical community has come up with for Apnea suffers has been the CPAP, which stands for a bunch of stuff that I don’t presently feel like looking up. People would routinely claim that the CPAP had made them into a completely new person. Unfortunately, insomniac that I am, I could never fall asleep with this ridiculous head gear that blew continuous air down into my nostrils. I tried thousands of times to fall asleep with that crap on my face – all unsuccessful.
The doctors alternative to CPAP – basically telling you that you are fucked. There is no current alternative for apnea other than constantly being completely exhausted.
I just got this new mask though and finally after 15 years of being “non-compliant” I have finally started to fall asleep with it. Supposedly, my life is now about to be changed forever for the better. I’ve always claimed that if I could sleep I would be running the world. Now I may actually have to start doing it.
Note: Non Compliant is what they call you if you can’t fall asleep with the CPAP on. I always felt that was a really disrespectful thing to be called. I wasn’t rebelling against the CPAP, I just couldn’t fall asleep with it. Don’t call me non-compliant! I’m just messed up.
Interesting read. I wonder if I have sleep apnea given the fact that I’m always tired. Then again, I go to bed late and wake up early, which I suppose could have something to do with it.
I get about a dozen customers a day that come into my place of business looking for C-PAPS. We do not sell them. However, I guess our industry is similar enough that they assume we do, and they’re aggravating the ever-living $%!# out of me with the constant interruptions.
It would be fairly ironic if it turned out I do need one given how much I’ve ridiculed the people who come into my work over their inability to read (we have signs all over the building advertising he fact that we do not carry C-PAPs and do not wish to be bothered by people looking to buy them).
If it turns out I do need it, I’ll definitely take into consideration your suggestions with regard to the mask. I too have trouble sleeping, and would be willing to wager $500 that I’d be labeled as “non-compliant” due to my insomnia.