My Experience with CPAP After 5 Years of Use

My life was a lot different before my continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. I was tired all the time, cranky, worn out, and didn’t feel very good. I thought it was a mid-life age thing, but I had undiagnosed sleep apnea.

Since my diagnosis and CPAP therapy, my life has changed for the better. Here’s my adjusting to CPAP experience and why I believe it can help you, too.

My initial thoughts

When I first saw the CPAP and tried on the mask at the sleep clinic, I was not impressed. The mask felt so restrictive, and I couldn’t see myself wearing it night after night. I thought that CPAP therapy was something I didn’t want to do.

Despite my initial fears, I decided to give it a try and see if it improved my health. The lack of good sleep was starting to catch up on me.

The first few nights

I didn’t have a great time the first few nights. The mask came off, it wasn’t comfortable, and I got frustrated. I was still learning about CPAP therapy, and I needed time to adjust to this new way of sleeping.

No snoring and happy wife

After a few more days, I noticed that pillows weren’t being thrown at me and I wasn’t banished to our couch. My wife slept peacefully at night because I wasn’t snoring like a freight train. I also noticed I has less acid reflux and was waking up feeling refreshed.

Headaches gone

After a couple of weeks, I also noticed that the frequent headaches I had in the morning were a thing of the past. To this day, after 5 years I’ve had no morning headaches, except when sickness is involved. Now, I seep all night and wake up feeling great.

No chair sleeping

As a writer, I used to fall asleep in my chair all the time, even after breakfast. I was that tired and didn’t know it. Now, I breeze through my daily work without any sleepiness whatsoever. I go through my day with good energy and go to sleep at a normal time. My daily life has vastly improved with CPAP therapy.

Brain fog is gone

Sleep apnea left me so tired I could barely concentrate at times, and this left me with brain fog. I would forget what I was doing or even have the energy to accomplish a task. Now, I feel energized without that fuzzy feeling I had before sleep therapy.

CPAP: a part of my life now

My CPAP machine is now a part of my life. I feel so much better when I’m using it. I encourage you to give it a try. It does take getting used to, but the results are well worth those initial bad days.

From time to time, I do curse my mask or throw it on the floor, but I always go back to it. My daily life is normal now thanks to my machine. I couldn’t imagine not using it now.

Conclusion

Give CPAP therapy time. You will adjust to it as I have. It’s well worth the struggle. Use your mask and reap the benefits of better sleep and a higher quality of life.

How much time did it take to adjust to using your CPAP machine? Please share a comment below.