Hey, I had sleep apnea, and had it corrected a few years ago. I tried the machine, but like you, I couldn't tolerate it. After a couple of weeks, tell your doc that you are taking the mask off in your sleep because you can't take the machine and that the machine keeps you awake. Suggest that they consider surgery (if you are willing). I think it's called palatapharyngitonsilectomy or something like that. They take out part of your soft palate, your tonsils and pharynx I think. It'll hurt like hell for a couple of weeks, during which they will give you codeine syrup. After that your airway will be much wider and you will sleep like a baby. There are a couple of things though to remember. If you are heavy set, you will likely not benefit from this surgery forever, as you will eventually gain a lot of weight (presumably) and that will affect it somehow. Also, after the surgery, you will have to kind of relearn drinking/sipping techniques because that back of your throat will be different. You will have to be careful drinking liquids until you get used to it. I'll tell you though, truthfully, the surgery sucked, but once I healed, I never snored again, and I've still got insomnia, but when I do sleep, I don't snore, nor do I wake up from apnea.