Sleep apnea and potential treatments

Welcome @omlor, Great to hear that you are sticking with it. Can't tell you how many different masks that I have gone through in my last 4 or 5 years of struggling with my CPAP. I can definitely relate to your CPAP journey. Like you I've tried full face mask, mouth and nasal pillow mask, and even one that covered above my eyes and to my chin like a gas mask 🙃which was a definite no go and got ripped off during the first night. I'm currently back to a Simplus full face mask with guard that touches the middle of your forehead which I started with because it seemed to take the pressure off of my nose but I am waiting for a new one old one that I've used once to see if I can make it work this time - ResMed AirTouch F20.

Thanks again for sharing your experience!

I'm not a medical doctor, but sharing my experience. I have been battling extreme fatigue for about the last 10 years and have tried everything to get to the root of the problem. This resulted in my body having blood problems and ongoing worsening blood results, fearing leukemia or polycythemia. I've been to cancer specialists, TRT specialists, sleep specialists, natural medicine, you name it. Turns out my body had very low oxygen, and regardless of every single supplement or treatment I tried, the low oxygen was the culprit. I struggled very much with CPAP and gave up, but after worsening blood test results again and the ongoing fear of polycythemia and leukemia in my blood tests, I am back to dedicating to making CPAP work. This time though the difference was in me finding the right mask that I can stick with. So, for those seriously struggling, I highly recommend if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are struggling with CPAP, I highly recommend to require your provider to have you try multiple masks until you find the one that truly works for you. Originally, I was only given one mask with the machine and I think that is a major letdown in the medical field. When you go in for a mask fitting, I'd just tell them outright you want to try one of each mask, do not put up with them only giving you one mask to "try" (so full face mask, mouth and nasal pillow mask, and nasal pillow only mask at least). Try them each for a week at least and see what works best. Keep trying different masks until you find the right one.

How right you are. It's been over six months and I am on my third mask. I think this may be the one that will work. I have only been able to find it by asking friends and acquaintances what they use and why. But you are correct about getting better educated and being able to "try the masks on". I asked Alpine Medical Supply if I could try one that was on display in their office and was told they couldn't allow that. I also have some questions about the accuracy of the res/med machine readout. I need to know more about how the time measurements work. Also the machine tells me I had a great fit when I know it was not and air escaped, etc.

I hear you on the mask leak showing you have great seal and you can clearly hear and feel the air escaping. One thing, and I'm not sure if you were aware, whenever you change a mask type for resmed, you'll want to update that in your resmed app, under "Equipment" tab and select "Update mask", enter in the new mask you are using. Then, on your resmed device, go to "My Options" menu on the device's screen, select "Mask Setting," and then choose your mask type from the options (Full Face, Nasal, or Nasal Pillow). I didn't know about changing these settings at first and that was the main reason I was getting incorrect mask seal results. Hope this helps.

I used a CPAP machine for 2 and a half years but I never wanted to continue using it. I now use dental devices that fit over my upper and lower teeth. The devices were fitted for me by a dentist who specialized in those devices for people who have sleep apnea.

I used a CPAP machine for 2 and a half years but I never wanted to continue using it. I now use dental devices that fit over my upper and lower teeth. The devices were fitted for me by a dentist who specialized in those devices for people who have sleep apnea.

I tried to sleep with the cpap and then bipap , but I just finally gave up and returned it after 7 miserable months. I will say that lip tape did help some. My apnea is mild and my new physician is okay with trying a dental device. I can't get in to see the specialty dentist until March 2026 but am on a waitlist (with all the other waiters).

Anyway, I have been advised that my sleep study shows my events are much less on my side so I am to sleep on my side as much as possible while waiting for my oral appliance. I happily sleep on my side so that's just fine, except for when it hurts my shoulder . . .