I had a tape recorder running last night while I was sleeping to see if I snored & I did. Should I have been able to tell if i had sleep apnea with a recorder?

Ok I went to sleep studies and got put on a CPAP machine although I think I isn't really warranted because my apnea was not that bad, number-wise. So I am on this machine for a while now and my mask id the one that goes into my nostrils because I have a beard and the one that covers the nose leaks air and wakes me up. Well Lately the mask I am wearing makes my nostrils feel like they are on fire when I breathe in and the only relief is to take it off. But in doing this my wife of course is woken up and has a bad nights sleep after that. Is there a solid solution to snoring that does not include a CPAP machine? I don't feel any more refreshed in the morning with or without the machine. I am not really over weight but when I was thinner I didn't snore as much. I just need solutions so I don't drive my wife crazy again with the snoring!

is there anybody out there that have sleep apnea if what treatment do you use

I live in Seattle. My sleep doctor has prescribed a Bi-PAP and I use it, but he will not do his job. He knows it isn't producing good results. He mentions no "out-of-network" providers or alternatives. He doesn't address all the problems I'm having. I have increased the pressure settings, with his knowledge, and am getting a second opinion from Virginia Mason Sleep Clinic. Apria, as a DME, is unacceptable. Numerous machines they provided, all Respironics, have broken. I dug up Lincare, on my own and went to their Seattle office last week. They fixed my mask, told me of other products I had learned of in the past few weeks on my own -without my asking. The bulk of my info on apnea and its treatment has come from newsgroups and sites dedicated to sleep disorders.

I use a saline solution daily.
Does ANYONE have ANY ideas or know of any other providers, DMEs, etc who can help? Please excuse the shouting & please help.

I am considering switching insurance during open enrollment to CareFirst, from Kaiser. I have sleep apnea and am on a CPAP machine. Is this considered a pre-existing condition that would nto be covered, or can it be transferred to the new insurance as durable medical equipment?

I am waiting on an answer from CareFirst, but need to make a decision by next week.

I have Sleep Apnea and need to adjust the air pressure on the machine. I have lost my insurance and can not afford to have it professionally adjusted. If you know how please answer this question. Thanks!