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I must be in the minority of CPAP users who would use it even if I stopped having OSA. Why? A few reasons:

1. Sometimes I hardly notice it. Newer models are very quiet and portable. I'd even go as far as saying the mask is comfortable to wear, like a security blanket for the face.

2. Practically nothing filters out dust and cat hair better than my CPAP. An N95 mask might do better, but would be ridiculously uncomfortable by comparison.

3. It's a humidifier strapped to my face. No more discomfort trying to sleep through dry weather seasons.



4. There's some pretty powerful conditioning in associating it with sleep and it helps tell the brain it's time to shutdown for the night.


Yep - my first 4 weeks, I just hated the feeling of air getting forced into my airways. And then 2 weeks ago, it flipped on a dime ... I guess my brain decided "this is what sleepy-time breathing feels like", and now it's a very relaxing sensation.

It all makes some sense, I think - it would be bad, evolutionarily, if we couldn't get used to the sensation of breathing, even if it happens to be slightly weird for whatever reason.


Sounds like a side effect of cpap is addiction? Does it cure sleep apnea or do you have to use it forever?


It doesn't cure it, the same way wearing glasses doesn't cure poor eyesight.


It took me a LONG time to adjust to CPAP and now I totally agree on all points. I got hooked when I was sick with a nasal infection because of point #3 (plus it was the only thing that allowed me to breathe).


I wouldn't use it without sleep apnea because of the annoyance with the hose. But I agree that otherwise my nasal mask is hardly noticeable.


The hose became easier for me to deal with after I used a bungee cord together with a wall hook to keep it mounted above the bed.


I use a hook too, plus a mask with the hose connection at the top of the head. Looks ridiculous, but it's better than the usual "oxygen mask" hose setup, even with a nasal mask. Both things help, but I'll never get completely used to the hose's annoyance.


Also, I recommend a hose cover like <https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLBTF38Y> so it slides more easily on the hook.


Yeah same. If a tubeless variant were to somehow be invented (portals?), I'd be a happy chappy




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