It certainly takes some getting used to. I used one for over 10 years and it got to the point where my wife couldn't sleep *without* me having it on. The white noise was helpful for her. Now that I am into maintenance, my pressure is much lower, and I don't use it every night (although I should). I hope it won't set you back, but if you get another chance to use one, hopefully it will go better.

I also use the nasal pillows and hated the full or nose only masks.

As a hosehead as well, I can appreciate the fact that I now feel like I am rested when I wake up. My hubby had noticed a huge difference after the first week. Now that it is winter, I have the humidifier on a bit and that has helped with keeping the nose from getting to dried out.

BUT, I did not like the first mask I was given. I actually had tried three different ones before I had found what worked and fit and was not feeling like it was closing my face in and clausterphobic feeling.

I am a side sleeper as well, and the tech stated that I needed to modify my pillow a bit to help with sleeping with the mask on. Basically, take a generic pillow, one you don't mind putting duct tape on because it isn't coming off of there. Take it and put duct tape around the middle of the pillow, making it indent on the sides of. So instead of a rectangle, it made a triangle thingie on the sides. Wrap the tape around a few times, basically making a way for you to sleep on your side and a way for the mask to nestle in that indention. Put two pillowcases on it and you are good to go. What you are making is a CPAP pillow without paying the huge prices for it. That helped a lot with sleeping on my side and not having leaking because of it.

Since surgery, and now being over 75 down, I am still using my CPAP because I feel that it still makes a difference in my sleeping. Right now, I can't sleep without it, two years later, it is a comfort, because I know that I am sleeping and getting rested. I have switched masks, and am using a nasal pillow for the first time, and a few days in, I am liking this one and I don't get mask lines across my face.

Anyways, I think that they make a difference, but boy, I was sure fighting it at the beginning. Now, I love it and still do.

They want to redo sleep study when I hit goal weight so see if I still need it. It is kind of like my security blankie at night, so we will see how that goes and if I can stand to lose it.

It took me several months to get use to my bipap machine, and another several months to feel better. A lot of mind over matter to make myself wear it. Now 6 months after starting I can honestly say I am feeling more rested when I wake up.

I actually slept really well the first night I had my CPAP (actually, the sleep test was a good night - dreamed for the first time could recall in tears - my apnea was pretty severe). That was 2006, and I hadn't been able to even nap without the machine. Since my WLS and weight loss, they've cut my pressure twice, from 20 to 10 now and I routinely sleep without the CPAP (e.g. I don't travel with it anymore). Will have a sleep test soon, not sure it's 100% resolved, but I think my remaining "attachment" is more psychological than physical