Posted by skillsaw on March 06, 2009 at 03:46:23:In Reply to: Depressed posted by Katt on March 03, 2009 at 17:45:42:
Hello,
It takes time to adapt, and the adaption process can be frustrating.
However, we have all been where you are now.
We finally identified the problem after stumbling around for a long time not knowing what was wrong.
Without the CPAP we risk stroke, heart attack, diabetes (hypoxia kills pancreatic beta cells) and a litany of knock-on disease states.
I had the same problems as you when I started but tried a number of mask types until I found one that worked for me. Masks are very personal. Many places will let you rent maska for a week until you find your perfect model.
My CPAP nmachine us now my best friend. I would never sleep without it. Part of me wants a second machine in the family room for those cat naps everybody enjoys at times on the couch.
My headaches are gone, my blood pressure is great, my memory is coming back strong, my confidence is returning, and I have energy once again. For me it has taken a couple of years, but I did at least a decade of damage before I found my problem.
When you get depressed about wearing your CPAP mask, ask yourself if you would prefer to be a drooling mess of a stroke victim trapped in wheelchair. No offense to stroke victims intended, but I want to paint you a mental picture of how CPAP can save your life. How many stroke victims would trade you the CPAP machine in exchange for never having had their stroke?
You may not believe it, but you will come to love your CPAP machine, it is only a matter of adapting to it. It is not a ball and chain it is a life preserver in a difficult situation.
I am no doctor, but if you were drowning in deep water and somebody tossed you a life preserver, but it was uncomfortable to wear, would you only wear the life preserver a few hours and give it up, or hang on to that life preserver for dear life?
Hang on, you will adapt, the risks are too great otherwise.
Later,
Skillsaw