I Love My CPAP Machine

I haven’t written in 2 weeks because I’ve been very busy sleeping.

Two weeks ago I spent 2 nights at a sleeping lab where they tested me for sleep apnea.

I have Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It’s a sleep disorder.

That means that I stop breathing while I sleep, sometimes up to 35 times per hour. This is not good for my brain or body, which need oxygen to function.

The doctor said I had a choice; I could have an operation with a 50% chance of success or use a CPAP machine (Continuous Postitive Airway Pressure) with a 100% rate of success.

Last week I had 2 appointments at the sleep lab: Monday and Thursday nights. I slept with the CPAP machine for the first time Monday night. Tuesday morning I woke up and felt like “a million bucks!”
I had energy the entire day and didn’t yawn or feel tired once. It was an incredible feeling.

I was so excited, that I called up the hospital and asked (begged) them to let me ta a CPAP machine home that night to practice with until I returned on Thursday night. They agreed and I’ve been sleeping with it ever since.

I feel re-born. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to make it through the day without constantly yawning and feeling tired and stressed.

The funny thing is, I didn’t even realize that I was tired and stressed. When I was together with people, I always had energy, but when I was alone, I always felt like taking a nap and often did.

The CPAP machine is not loud.

The mask I wear is comfortable. I chose the mask that covers only my nose. It’s very soft and flexible.

My husband is not repulsed by it.

He says it’s better than listening to me stop breathing.

I’m actually falling in love with my machine because I feel so fantastic.

The only drawback is that when I go to sleep at night I now look like Darth Vader .