Sleep apnea but can’t tolerate cpap machine

[Moirb]

Hi is there anyone else who has sleep apnea but been unable to tolerate the machine. I was first diagnosed with sleep apnea 8 years ago at which time it was mild. 5 years ago I was retested and diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. I have tried on 3 occasions different masks persevering at least 6 weeks with each trial but each time I’ve not been able to tolerate the mask. I can’ t sleep with the mask on and develop secondary insomnia and anxiety. The longest I have slept with the mask on is 20 minutes and my last consultant agreed that it was unsuitable for me. Since then I my insomnia and nighttime anxiety has improved greatly but i’m Still left with quite severe daytime fatigue.

[Hidden]

Hi have you tried in the Daytime try and grab a spare hour , just sitting in your Armchair getting used to the slight alternating we all do to settle down , it help me so much as i also have other sleep issues , but it put me more at ease , hope this helps , take care

[Moirb in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your tip. I don’t have a machine at present but if I decide to try again I’ll try your tip.

[Mistral]

Hello Moirb I have been using a CPAP machine for over 20 years now, at the time I was first diagnosed I was working, and falling asleep at my desk at work (with the sack looming over me) was a big incentive to get something done. But unlike you I was lucky, I managed to tolerate it somewhat, and boy did it make a difference to my life. At this time there was no water tank to help with nasal dryness, so, from falling asleep at work I then sneezed all over the place. Having a water tank did help, but my headgear was a nightmare and at times it still is, BUT what I do is stay up late, until I am so tired I don't give a damn, I just put the mask on, (and I know I am lucky) I do fall asleep. As I am getting older, they say you don't need as much sleep but I manage to get 6 hours which is so better than your 20 minutes. I have been a carer for my daughter for over 8 years now, and I need to drive, so that has been an huge incentive to tolerate what is something that is not easy. I hope you get some respite and Sleep Apnea is awful. Best wishes x x x x