CPAP Machine

“Continuous Positive Airway Pressure” machine is a device that my sleep doctor prescribed for my moderate sleep apnea condition.  According to the sleep study results, my brain wakes up about 24 times/hour during the night causing me to be fatigued in the morning.

I drove an hour to participate in an orientation in using the machine on Monday.  It’s pretty simple to use, really.  The device consists of CPAP and a detachable humidifier.  The machine and the nasal “pillow” are connected with an air hose.  You put the water in the humidifier, put the nasal pillow on your face, then turn it on.  That’s it.

Left: CPAP machine   Right: Nose Pillow Close-up

I also have to wear a chin strap because I sleep with my mouth open, apparently, and CPAP doesn’t work effectively with your mouth open.

Hachi fully equipped.  I look like an elephant with a toothache…

The theory is that the air pressure sent through my nose should keep the airway open allowing my brain to continue to sleep throughout the night.

I have tried it for a few nights now, but I haven’t felt a big difference.  They said it would take up to a month for people to get used to sleeping with the damn thing on your face.   I think it would take at least that long for Dawn to get used to seeing me with that thing on me…

Oh, well… we’ll see how it goes…