Sleep apnea....?

I just found out I have sleep apnea. Now I will have to have a CPAP machine when I sleep. Does anyone else have this and can you give me some information on the machine?

My father has sleep apnea too. The machine looks funny, but it's portable, and works wonders.

http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/pubs...

The machine is designed to force positive air pressure through a a mask or nose pillows. The positive pressure keeps the upper airway tissues open allow you to breathe more freely. Most causes of sleep apnea are from the soft tissue in the back of your throat. These fall back and obstruct airflow to the lungs. Over long periods of time this can put stress on your heart because you will not have proper oxygen exchange and your heart gets deprived of these inadequate breaths. The word apnea means "cease of breath". There are other neurological reasons that can cause sleep apnea as well. Although the cpap machine is somewhat en-cumbersome and some feel that they are embarrassing, they also will allow you to have adequate sleep and provide the oxygen your heart needs.

http://www.cpap.com/

I hope you get the information you looking for.

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in December and received my cpap machine on Dec. 29, 2006. I am not an expert on the subject but will tell you what I can. Rather than the face mask my machine has the nose pillows. I made the decision for this as I had been on oxygen at night and was familiar with the "feel." If you do not have your machine yet I would suggest you look at your options regarding the headgear. Some are more comfortable than others. I would also suggest your cpap machine have a humidifier. A humidifier provides moisture for nasal membranes and makes sleeping better.

My machine is set on 13 but I do not know what this means. When the machine first starts the air is so forceful that it startles me; however, my machine has a button that I can push to lower the pressure until after I am asleep.

Everyone told me I would feel so much better within a matter of days. The first few days I was not so sure, however, one morning I woke up and it was a new day for me. I actually dreamed and was thrilled. I did not realize I had not been dreaming for years.

Good luck. I will tell you that in week after getting your machine you will feel better. Any questions you have may be answered by the company who supplies your cpap machine.