New by wondering what to do next

Hi,

my name is Ann and I stumbled across this site when looking to see where I could sell my CPAP machine but after reading some discussions, I now think that I may be better keeping it. I bought the  Sleep Cube as it was fully automatic and as I bought it after doing a sleep test on line with Intus I felt I would not have much support.

I did have a NHS sleep test a few years ago but only slept for half the night due to helicopters landing  ( I think on the hospital roof) and the bed was so comfortable that I stayed on my side and don't have apneas if I sleep on my side.  So at about 6am I deliberately went back to sleep on my back. As a result I was told that my sleep apnea was not bad enough to warrant treatment. My husband totally disagreed as my apneas used to wake him and frighten him as I wasn't breathing. The test I did with Intus included a positional test and I was told I have moderate sleep apnea.

I used the machine for about 3 months did not like it much but was waking up free of headaches and refreshed for the first time in years. Unfortunately I started having a reaction the the mask on my face and, advised by the Intus support, bought some mask liners - I found them fiddly to use so tried to tape them on which took ages and then the inner edge of the liner used to tickle my face and the mask leaked as I tried to scratch. The final straw was when I started to wake up.with the pressure so high that I could not breathe out no matter how hard I tried so had to press the ramp button. I rang the support desk but could not seem to get the person on the phone to understand my problem. She said that that was what the machine was supposed to do if I stopped breathing. However as the machine was automatic and has smart code and smart flex, I expected it to reduce the pressure when I resumed breathing. That's when I gave up as what was the point of waking up a couple of times a night to turn the pressure down.

So, where does that leave me! 

I now sleep with a foam roll cushion against my back to force me to sleep on my side. The cushion is inside a pillow case to stop the cushion rolling away. But then the pillow case becomes ruck up under my ribs and becomes uncomfortable and the cushion also makes me hot which also wakes me.

I had decided to persevere until it all became too much and then would try the NHS route but after reading on your website about some hospitals not giving support, I am not sure what to do next. I don't give up easily but as I am getting older I find it uncomfortable staying in one position all night.

any comments/ advice would be welcome.

Ann