I finally did a sleep test last night ... 52 wires ,,legs,,chest ,, head,, quite a harness.. They had tubes in my nostrils .. Later they came in and said .. Oh Yea ,,You are not breathing.. and they put the mask on me .. The mask kinda freaked me out .. You can breath in easily ,, breathing out is fighting the pressure and keeps you aware you have a mask on ..I just wanted to rip the thing off .. kind of panicing almost .. And your tongue drys up like a piece of leather .. tough getting a drink of water .. I gotta talk to Doc next .. I want to know options .. Sleep Tec said surgery is very evassive and only 50% chance of working .But maybe I'm a good canidate... She said I slept good with the mask on . The whole night was recorded on an infa red camera and I signed a release .. They kept waking me uo all night and poking me ,, tightening straps .. I had to wake up from there at 4:30 am and go to work for a ten hour day .. ten more hours tomorrow .. I'm thinking Z B $$$

I went through it. Call me if I can answer anything to help. (worked for me)

I went through it. Call me if I can answer anything to help. (worked for me)

I have also...Been wearing the mask for almost ten years..Cant sleep with out it now...

I have also...Been wearing the mask for almost ten years..Cant sleep with out it now...

I went the other way. They removed my tonsils, did something with my adnoids, cut my palet and electrocuted my tongue. (to shrink the back of it) They fixed a deviated septum as well. Didn't even get racoon eyes:)

I have been using a Puresleep mouthguard and I am no longer snoring, I am sleeping through the night, and dreaming now. I only have a mild case of apnea, and I could not get used to the mask.

Eddie I told you you stopped breathing when you were sleeping

I would try the mask first then if it didn't work go the other way and get cut.

Karl, Blue Velvet great movie

I've done two sleep studies about 9-10 yrs ago. I have bad apnea for some one who doesn't weight 350+ lbs ( I did stopped breathing around 160 times each evening). I am a bit overweight. ;) Unfortunately apnia is something I inherited from my Mom.

I tried sinus surgery for deviated septum and it didn't work for me. BTW - I had mine done w/ stitches and the recovery was more like 2-3 weeks and not one week. I had considered cutting away tissue around tonsils, but learned that the tissue can grow back and it doesn't fix it perminently.

CPAP if you can stand the mask is the way to go. I went to information talk a few weeks ago in Framingham and learned that the new CPAP machines are much smaller and quieter. I use 8 PSI which isn't too bad. There is a huge correlation between type 2 diabetes and sleep apnia! You don't want that in addition to your sleep problems. That just increases you chances of dying sooner!! Apnia is no joke. :(

I stopped using my CPAP for several yrs and just started again in this spring - mask was still ok so just made to make some adjustments (I sleep in recliner when I use it 5 out of 7 days a week). I just got fitted for a new full mask (covers nose and mouth) and it seals better and is comfortable. When I get new machine I will try sleeping in my own bed again. I use the recliner Sun - Thu nite so my wife can get a good nites sleep (cats horde the bed of course, but that is out of my control .....LOL). Come to think of it I rarely ever have dreams it seems - never get into that deep of a sleep.

Dave/MAC you are lucky your procedure worked out. Seems like most people I have talked to they end up having to use the mask. Some folks need oxygen w/ the CPAP because their levels are so low - they are much higher risk for health problems.

WOW, SKD - 10 yrs w/ CPAP?! Smart man! :D

Tagger - what good is a ZB if you aren't alive to use it. :o

I have the CPAP - works great - biggest pain in the butt is the constant cleaning of the device (you don't want to get sick)

I use my CPAP w/out the humidity since April. I know when I use to use the humidifer part, it made a mess for sure! Warm & wet = promotes growth of nasty stuff. Know I know why the insurance companies offer to let you change them out 2X/yr. We run humidifiers in the house during the winter months so that helps everyone.

Reminds me I need to call them to see what the delay is with the new CPAP unit that I am allowed to have. ;)