Last night was the first night with my CPAP machine and mask and so far I dislike it immensely. The mask makes me feel like I am suffocating or auditioning for a role in a new version of the Top Gun movie.
Your friend’s social media post indicated that she was struggling. In fact, you could tell that she was making a very real call for some advice. You decided to chime in and before long, it was apparent that many of your friends also uses CPAP nasal masks and other kinds of he conversation at the book club meeting quickly took a turn.
Here are some of the comments you and your friends posted:
- You will be fine. It took me like a week to adjust to it. Now i feel strange if I lay down without it.
- I have had one for a couple of years. Must of the time I am okay with it but sometimes it is claustrophobic. The most important thing, however, is that I sleep much better with it on.
- Hang in there, breathing is good!
- You might want to consider getting CPAP nasal pillows. I just got a new machine after having been on one for almost 30 years. I cannot stand the masks, but the pillow works great for me.
It is not only social media posts that turn to the common topic of CPAP machines and sleep apnea. In fact, even your last book club discussion ended up turning to this common topic. After having a great discussion about the book for the month, the talk quickly intensified as soon as one of the members mentioned that she was having a difficult time adjusting to her CPAP nasal mask. The group began discussing the benefits of different types of CPAP nasal masks and before long the book discussion was forgotten.
It should come as no surprise that CPAP machines often come up in conversation, both face to face and social media. In fact, sleep apnea is prevalent in as many as an estimated 18 million Americans. Given that 2% to 4% of all Americans have an undiagnosed case of sleep apnea, means that this life threatening condition accounts for approximately one in 50 individuals being undiagnosed. If you have recently been prescribed a CPAP machine, you might find that seeking the advice of friends can help you make the easiest transition into this new method that can help you achieve better nights of sleep.
