CPAP machine

matthewkevin84

I have been told by my mental health social worker that I must use the CPAP machine provided or living by my self will be in jeopardy.

Can he force do such a thing?

Alex_Alumni

Hello @matthewkevin84 thanks for reaching out on the forum.

Can I ask, have you been diagnosed with sleep apnoea? No one can force you to use the CPAP machine, but the risk of having further health problems is much bigger without some form of treatment for sleep apnoea. Your social worker is probably quite worried about your breathing when you sleep. As it says on the NHS website:

Without treatment, sleep apnoea can lead to:

• high blood pressure
• a higher chance of having a stroke
• depression or changes in your mood
• a higher chance of having a serious accident caused by tiredness, such as a car accident
• difficulty concentrating at work or school

I think it's pretty common for the machines to feel uncomfortable at first, the British Lung foundation has some guidance on CPAP machines and explains how they can make a really positive difference to your quality of life day to day. If it helps, they also list local support groups, which you can search for here.

Hope2Sleep also has some tips on how to get into the habit of using a CPAP machine every time you sleep. Perhaps you can speak to your GP about everything, and see if any other treatment methods are an option? Otherwise I'm sure they can help support you with using it more often.

If you would like any further help please don't hesitate to ask, we're here to support you.

Alex

L_Volunteer

Hi @matthewkevin84

Thanks for reaching out to us. I always appreciate how much courage it must take to reach out. I am really pleased to see all the wonderful support already provided by @Alex_Scope and @Teddybear12.

I would like to reiterate what @Alex_Scope and @Teddybear12 have already said. However, I am also wondering why (a) your mental health social worker told you that you must use it, and (b) what information your mental health social worker provided you with about why it would affect living by yourself.

Would you like to expand on your situation a little more so we can support you the best we can through this difficult time? Please remember we are always here for you, listening to you, and supporting you! 

matthewkevin84

My mental Health Social worker has told me I must use it because people have been known to die in their sleep but I was under the impression this was not frequent? So obviously that affects being alone.

I have had it for more than a month and it keeps on either being too loose or too tight.

I would appreciate any advice as to what I should say to my mental health social worker if he carries on forcing me to use this CPAP mask?

Alex_Alumni

Thanks for explaining @matthewkevin84 it sounds as though you should definitely talk to your GP about how you're finding it too loose or too tight, hopefully they or a CPAP specialist can advise you as to how best to wear the mask so that it's comfortable for you, as it's very important to keep going with it.

You can talk to your social worker, but do try and speak to your GP as well. Did you manage to have a look at any of the support groups or organisations I linked in my earlier post? They might help support you too.

Please ask if you're unsure of anything else

matthewkevin84

I have already spoken to the: relevant respiratory department a consultant clinical scientist who said it would not be of any benefit for me to come to the hospital because none of the other masks available would fit any better. 

I did have a nurse who tried to assist me with the mask (visited my home) but I find the mask to still be too loose or too tight to the point where the mask makes me claustrophobic. 

I have not at this stage spoken to my GP about it.