How Many Of Us Actually LIKE PAP ?

[DavidCarolina]

Rightfully so, there are so many folk here struggling to adapt to putting on the scuba gear every night and trying to breathe normally. I empathyze with their plight, leaks, claustrophobia, feelings of suffocation, and infuriating bouts with ripping the mask off and trying to find a comfortable sleep position.

But I've seen glimpses of people, like me, who actually like PAP therapy. I took to it right away during the second half of my sleep study at Mayo.
Here's why:
--it was re assuring to hear that deep breathing apparatus doing its work--it made me feel like i had the chance to get healthy again. Oxygen is the fuel we live on every second of our lives. Pap reminds us of that.

--i liked the air flow as long as the air coming in wasnt oppressively warm like sitting in a sauna. Granted, I had another med condition that caused "air hunger" and PAP helped with that.

--i liked hearing the rhythm and cadences of the breathing process and settling into a yoga-like practice of relaxation by breathing from the gut and not the shallow breathing we americans practice from the chest. I had to re-learn how to breathe right and PAP helped with that.

I should ADD that I dont "get" the obsessional technology "breakthroughs" on the new machines:

1. Machines you cant hear working. Whats the point? I want to hear it working and the noise becomes reassuring and drowns out other noisy distractions.It "regulated" my breathing habit.

2. Machines that look like clock radios. Who cares? Only my wife sees whats in the bedroom anyway. Or friends who were genuinely curious about it.

3. Tiny thin hoses. Theyre about 1/4 inch "slimmer" and nobody can really tell the difference

4. After a few weeks the gear actually puts me to sleep--hearing the breathing in and out is as cool as the sound a scuba regulator makes and lulls you to sleep by the droning cadence.

5. After practice for many its anything but claustrophobic, it becomes your source of fresh air that you tap into every night like finding an oasis of water. I dont like ramp either, why suck in air trying to get enough when you can get all you want right away?

*** I do admit that hardcore breakthrough technology such as the s9's ability to isolate centrals and periodic breathing problems is BRILLIANT and should be incorporate into EVERY machine. Individualized exhalation relief and high-tech masks have also revolutionized healing and compliance.

[Goofproof]

I'm no fool, XPAP beats dieing in your sleep or damaging your body farther than not using XPAP. If you don't want to live, walk the railroad tracks or jump off a bridge, it quicker. Jim


I chose XPAP over 7 years ago and never looked back, my mother didn't raise no fools or quiters.

[Denial Dave]

I don't like CPAP, but I like the results from it

going to bed used to be so much easier without having to strap an alien onto my face every night.

[britinjapan]

I`ve got used to it...gets me to sleep! Love it actually

[PreemieNrsTiffy]

Even though I had some trouble adjusting the first week or so, I immediately started sleeping well without scary doses of medications and with 0-1 bathroom trips during sleep. Within 2 weeks I would wake up believing the gear was off only to find it all in place.

[Cavmdc]

I love it ! It makes me feel so much better.

Greg

[bradleyjoe]

I was lucky I took to cpap right away I love it and can't sleep with out it

[Julie]

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[Sheriff Buford]

Good question to ponder I don't know if I love it more than I am addicted to it, but I do love the results of it. There are times when I get groggy and if the thought of a nap starts to "set in", I think about using the mask and sorta "dislike it". It's a fleeting thought, but its there...

Sheriff

[m1k2s3]

Interesting question - do I like PAP? Initially I didn't like the idea of having to depend on a machine to sleep. I didn't like the idea of needing this machine for the rest of my life. But once I had my first good nights sleep and experienced what it felt like, I was hooked. I couldn't believe what I had been missing. I've been on CPAP for about 6 years and it definitely has improved my sleep and now I feel better during the day. But do I like it - not really. I'd prefer to be like other people who don't need it to sleep. I guess it's become part of my routine, similar to when I read, I put on my glasses - when I go to bed I put on my mask.

[msla]

I love it. I would love not having to use it too. Nevertheless, I still love it.

[chunkyfrog]

I was eager to finally find relief from all the misery put on me by my apnea.
It is my security, my "blankie". I love it.
If I didn't have to tape, I'd be like "nom-nom" on my thumby.
Wait! I wonder if an orthodontic pacifier would keep my yap shut?

[NotLazyJustTired]

At three weeks in I can't say I love it, yet. I do love the idea of the number of years it is adding to my life. And I am looking forward to getting off some of the meds I am on now which I am convinced are linked to OSA! I am already seeing a decrease in my BP!

[Pugsy]

Do I like it? Not really. I would really rather not have to use it.
If I was diabetic would I like giving myself shots? Nope.

But it is something I have no choice about unless you call not using it a choice and I don't classify that as a viable option.
So here I am making the best of it but I really would rather not use the mask and machine if it came right down to what I would rather do and not what I have to do.

I do appreciate that it works and how much better I feel and I know how crappy I would feel without it ...so I like the results but I don't like using the machine. Sorry but I just don't.
Since I have no other viable options...I make the best of it by trying out new things and trying to keep things from getting boring so I try to keep it interesting and challenging.

[cobra4x4]

I like it, don't love it but just like it.
It gives me better health and lots more energy.
That being said and more importantly my wife loves it because she can now get a peaceful nights sleep.

I would prefer to not have any medical issues requiring specialized equipment but this isn't that bad.
If it were not for her, I'd still be without treatment having a hard time breathing during sleep or worse.