Hate every minute
Have been using the CPAP for more than 1 1/2 years. So far I’m still not getting a good nights sleep. I wear it for 4 hours and then I take it off. I've also tried an assortment of masks... This is frustrating at best!
Has anyone else experienced this?
After MONTHS of frustration at not sleeping while wearing the mask, I had an appointment with my provider. I had been making myself keep the mask on my face for at least 4 hours a night. I had been told that Medicare requires this to continue paying for the use of the equipment so I made that my goal. I am somewhat ashamed that I had to get snarky with him to get my point across- but I am glad that I did. I am now on medication to sleep- so I get 5-6 hours. This is SO wonderful. I have not slept this long at a stretch since I was in my 20s. Yeah!!! For those having problems sleeping, etc, keep plugging along. Talk to your provider again and again and again. It took me several years but this is now tolerable.
I had a lot of problems with CPAP but managed to use it effectively over time. If you still can't use it then speak with your sleep provider or doctor. There's new options coming out now besides regular CPAP, it's quite encouraging. Warmly, Brian (Team Member) I was promised a good nights sleep if I would just keep the mask on. I feel that I also have insomnia which my dr ignores. After two years, I am still awake for hours listening to the machine hiss. I can not sleep on my back- I have tried- sometimes I doze off sitting bolt upright in bed- those are the best two hours of my night. I keep hoping that something will work- the only reason that I continue is that it is supposed to be helpful to my health. Not sure why I continue
I am so sorry to hear that you're continuing to have these issues. They sound frustrating at the least! If you haven't considered getting a second opinion yet, it might be a good idea to reach out to a new primary physician or try to get in with a sleep specialist to discuss your potential insomnia.
It can feel really defeating when your doctor isn't listening to you, so if you don't mind, I'm going to leave a couple of articles here for you about advocating for yourself with your doctor in regard to sleep disorders (https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/living/advocating) and this one (https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/exam-history) that goes over how doctors may determine a diagnosis, but it includes information about the Insomnia Severity Index at the bottom. I really hope you get some relief soon! - Alyssa (Team Member)
That is frustrating! It sounds like you've already tried a few options, but I wanted to share a couple of articles while others respond that may be helpful. This one gives some tips for finding the right mask (https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/living/choosing-cpap-mask) and this one hopefully reassures you in your frustration (https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/living/cpap-mask-frustration). Keep us updated! Warmly, Alyssa (Team Member)
