I have spent years snoring and getting up and down in the night and waking up tired. I had trouble driving in the afternoons due to sleepiness and often had to pull over for a catnap. My wife, fellow trampers and boating mates always complained about my snoring and told me that I frequently stopped breathing.

I have tried an anti snoring mouthguard from my dentist and nasal sprays. My GP treated me for bladder problems because my disturbed sleep made me get up several times in the night. Nothing seemed to work. Eventually my GP did an Epworth sleeping test and said I was a borderline case for sleep apnea and he referred me to the WellSleep Clinic at Bowen Hospital.

As I had exhausted all other options, I booked myself for the overnight test. They wired me up and next morning they told me I was a prime candidate for a CPAP machine. They sent me home with a trial machine. I slept all night for the first time in years and woke up refreshed. My wife was delighted and said I didn’t move all night. I was so quiet she thought I might be dead.

The only problem was that I developed a runny nose. The sleep people at Bowen Hospital lent me a Fisher & Paykel Healthcare machine with a humidifier which fixed the nose problem. After a month I went back to Bowen for a checkup and they seemed surprised that I had so many hours on the machine. Apparently many people don’t persist with CPAP [therapy] which is a shame.

The CPAP machine has transformed my life. I now sleep like I remember as a child. I couldn’t live without mine and nor could my wife. I have even been told I’m less grumpy, so things are good.

I’m so delighted I’ve even bought shares in Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.

Lance Wiggins
Waikanae
New Zealand