@tbaxter33 and others.....I do not have the classic sleep apnea symptoms. But the pulmonologist saw that I had “obstructive sleep apnea” when he did a bronchoscopy looking for the cause of my constant 2 year cough ( sputum specimen obtained while in my lungs grew a bacterium called Mycobacterium Avian Complex) So when I, months later was at National Jewish Health having my cough and bacterium evaluated, I was offered a sleep study there since I had not had one yet.
They do 14 a night....year round. The technician was delightful....patient and friendly....explained every detail....I could take a sleeping pill at the beginning....no problem she said. The bed was a queen sized Temperpedic mattress...superior to what I have at home. She measured me for the nose device which I started with....as well as the face mask saying that if the nose device did not work she’d switch to full face mask without having to wake me. So I began the study about 1030pm.....
Next thing I knew , I was being awakened at 6am to say I was done with the sleep study....I would need the full mask and CPAP since I had 47 apnea events/hour.
So since April 19 2017 I have had the full face mask CPAP....i think it is the company Resmed My Air.....my use is monitored via satellite to my pulmonologist and DME folks.
I can assess my report daily via email.
I am compliant with wearing it.....I am very candid....I despise wearing it with a passion....I had guidance initially from a friend who loves her....she gave me tips and encouragement....the DME Technician was very helpful .....
my motivation is that I have coronary artery disease ( 3 years ago had stents put in for a coronary artery 99% blocked) and going without Oxygen 47 times an hour is not good for my heart)
So emotionally I despise CPAP but intellectually I realize I need it.
Tdrell

Yes, snoring is still a problem. I should probably not have posted here since I don't think folks generally understand the issue. It is not an issue of doing something I don't like. I do plenty of those things. I cannot sleep with the device on -- period -- and get so worked up with anxiety that it adversely affects my entire life. Again, if the providers want me to get a little sleep, I cannot wear the device. Period. It is as simple as that. After the last experience with the sleep study, I have vowed to never do that again. When I was younger, nobody ever heard of "sleep apnea" and everyone did fine. Is this just a new condition that has come about in the last 20 years or so?

@tbaxter33

I had a full face mask with a CPAP for more than 15 years. By the time I got started with it, I was incredibly sleep deprived, so I slept for more than 12 hours a day for awhile. I thought it would be hard to get used to the mask because I have claustrophobia, but I was surprised.

But last year, I started having panic attacks after I put the mask on, and had to take it off until the panic attack subsided. Since then I had a sleep study, and they changed me from the CPAP to BIPAP, and I started using the nasal pillows, which I've found more comfortable. I think the head gear is really lame because it doesn't hold the pillows in place very well. Have you tried the BIPAP? It doesn't have pressure constantly.

I've always had a heated humidifier on my CPAP and now on the BIPAP. We live in a dry climate, so I need the humidifier. I also have learned that I can't have the temperature too high.

I'm always a strong advocate of CPAP and BIPAP. I have only moderate apnea, and I'm thin, but I knew that apnea left untreated could have a significant effect on my body.

I hope you'll find a solution.

Jim