British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

Welcome to the forum sleepyheadedme! It was very courageous of you to post this. WELL DONE.

I do understand how hard you've found it to cope with CPAP. You are not alone, and I don't think there are very many of us who had a smooth start.

Things may well have progressed since you were issued with your machine ... your pressure requirements may be less or more, but will need to be checked and there are lots of different types of mask available, so that if you sleep on your tummy, it may not be as difficult or uncomfy as before.

Please be brave and recontact your sleep centre and ask for a titration study - checking your pressure needs - and to see what they can offer in the way of more comfy masks. It really is important to get you back on track as you are at substantially increased risk of having a stroke or heart attack in your sleep when you have untreated OSA. Once you are back on your CPAP the risk drops back to a normal level. And as you sadly know to your cost (as do we all) waking after a bad night's sleep is really horrible and puts the whole day onto a rough course!

If you don't want to see your local doc, I believe that the BSSAA offers medical advice and you can make an appointment to see a doc at their HQ ... granted that this may not be near you, but as I don't know where you are, I can only suggest this! It might even be worth making the trip because your health is so important.

If a few years have gone by, the medical team may have changed faces at your local hospital ... but PLEASE do go and get your pressure needs re-evaluated and be kind to yourself and those who love you. We are here to support and encourage, so do keep in touch ...

Hi. I've been dealing with sleep problems for years. About 3 years ago I asked for a sleep study for narcolepsy.(have hallucinations while falling asleep.)

I had a sleep study for apnoea only at a local hospital and it came out clear. 6 months later,still dragging myself between naps I went to another hospital for a more detailed study with melt. On the day I had severe sinus pain and couldn't sleep. I was surprised to be diagnosed with moderate to severe apnoea. Especially as they were so certain it wasn't before,

I was referred back to the original hospital for a CPAP which was a nightmare. I sleep on my stomach and couldn't sleep at all. Was switching it off to get any sleep. When I took it back I was referred to an ENT due to chronic rhinitis and sinusitis.He had a quick look, didn't find anything and apart from a nasal spray that didn't work (tried loads) that's the last I've heard from any doctor.

It's now been several years. Last winter I voluntarily gave up my unused provisional licence. I don't have the energy to learn to drive.I know I wouldn't be safe. Life's extremely limited by exhaustion and falling asleep. I'm petrified to push it with my GP in case they send me back to that local specialist who was extremely patronising.I don't want to go back on CPAP. It was a nightmare.