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.

I don't see where Jen says that she couldn't tolerate the machine. In fact, she said she had no problems falling asleep with it. Even if the machine were part of the problem, there are still many options to try - different masks, cushions, pressures, oxygen.... before chucking it and asking for surgery.

But most importantly, I have a real problem with "telling" a doctor something that isn't true. I'm coming from a chronic pain POV, and one of the worst and most common stigmas CP patients face regularly is not being believed. The doctor-patient relationship requires absolute candor on the part of patients. Doctors - especially those who deal with patients regulary (vs. surgeons, pathologists, and some others) learn to be very good at "reading" people. If they even suspect a patient is less than forthright, that patient could have problems getting that doctor (or any other) to believe anything they say in the future.

Surgery should always be an avenue of last resort, and even then only with multiple opinions. I'm glad it's worked for some - REALLY - but I hope all other options were exhausted first, especially considering all the complications and adjustments mentioned (and those that weren't mentioned).

I think Jen's solutions (if the problem still exists - her last post was 9 months ago) lie with the right sleep specialist and/or the right sleep psychologist.
Google: sleep psychologist

Just my opinions.

Doc

So Jen, How is the battle going?

Doc

Things well, so much is going on now....i am off the cpap right now, very hard time getting to sleep, such physical pain. Tomorrow am having a steroid injection in my back. trying to not have to have surgery. But lots of crap has been going on. I haven't seen my sleep specialist in 6 months...I can't drive to see her all the times she wants me there. But things may change and have to see her for possible surgeryon back
thanks
jen

I hear that. My wife used to get upset with me because I would fall asleep in a chair watching television, straining my bad neck, and waking often from the apnea. When I went to bed and put the mask on, I couldn't get back to sleep. So we moved the machine downstairs, and I used it while awake, sitting in a recliner & watching the tube. It helped me get used to it, and if I fell asleep, it was ok, and better sleep because the machine was already on. Eventually we were able to move the machine back upstairs, and while I may still wake up from the pain, it's not from the machine.

Doc

my experience with the machine is i can't get to sleep and if and when i do doze off i wake up with nightmare that the machine is strangling me and i am pulling it off. the luxury of giving it 3-4 weeks is for those who do not have to drive and work. not sleeping makes me dangerous to be around. for one thing sleepwalking gets worse and then i might pick up a weapon and use it on someone in the house with me. and, like dr smith, the docs don't believe me when i tell them i sleepwalk. they did not even believe when they saw it on video because the brain waves were not what they expected. docs can be a close minded bunch. now that i have thyroid cancer all i have to do for insomnia is forget my meds. sleep like a baby. wonder if the insomnia was the cancer all along.