Snoring. Breath-holding. A tired partner. That’s how it all started. What followed was a months-long journey through doctors, wires, eye-rolls, and, finally—sleep.
Journey of My CPAP
🗓 26 August 2024 – The First Step
I visited Hausarztpraxis Avi Lichtenberg through Avi Medical. It began as a simple consultation—my partner complained about my loud snoring and said I stop breathing at night. The doctor took it seriously. After some questions and a sleepiness questionnaire, the investigation began.
🩸 11 September 2024 – The Machines Begin
Blood test day. I was also strapped with a 24-hour blood pressure monitor (Langzeit-Blutdruckmessgerät). It puffed and beeped through the night. Not the best sleep.
📤 12 September 2024 – Returning the Beast
I returned the machine first thing in the morning. They booked a follow-up for me.
🩺 23 September 2024 – Diagnosis Suspected
The results pointed toward sleep apnea. I was handed a referral to a lung specialist—Lungenarztpraxis Proskauer Straße. I walked straight there and booked my appointment. The earliest? Two months later: 20 November.
💨 20 November 2024 – The Breathing Test & the Eye Rolls
I faced two doctors. First was a breathing test on a giant machine—inhale, exhale, repeat. English was shaky but we got through. Then came the second doctor. She rolled her eyes when I said I didn’t speak much German. She told me, at 32, I was “too young” to have sleep apnea. I disagreed. She grunted. We scheduled the next visit.
🧊 27 November 2024 – Cold Attitude, Warm Nurses
Back again. Same doctor, same eye roll. This time she confirmed: medium sleep apnea. She gave me two options—CPAP (very effective) or a dental device (meh). I chose CPAP. Nurses took over, handled documents, explained everything, and submitted my application to the Schlaflabor. One nurse was fluent in English (gosh lifesaver!)
📧 4 December 2024 – The Waiting Game
Got an email from Zentrales Schlaflabor. Appointment: 27 March 2025. Nearly four months away. I added myself to the early-call list. Fingers crossed.
📞 13 March 2025 – A Lucky Break
Ring ring. A nurse called. “We have a spot for 15 March.” YES. She spoke English and was super kind.
🛌 15 March 2025 – The Sleep Lab Experience
I arrived at the Schlaflabor—it looked like a budget hotel! A comfy bed, a table, hangers, bottled water, and a welcome sweet. After some paperwork and giving my insurance card, the nurse let me try a VPAP machine. It felt odd for 10 seconds, then surprisingly comfortable. He said they’d switch masks if I mouth-breathe, but the pressure was strong enough to close my mouth naturally.
At 22:00, the nurse returned. I had already changed into pajamas and brushed my teeth. He wired me up like a cyborg—sensors everywhere. Glad I showered and skipped the hair wax. I took a sleeping pill and passed out fast. Woke up at 05:00, dazed but strangely alert. Got a free cappuccino before leaving. I felt unusually energetic all day. Was that the VPAP magic?
📲 17 March 2025 – Results Already?
Lungenarztpraxis called. Schlaflabor results were in! Appointment booked for 26 March. That was fast.
✔️ 26 March 2025 – It’s Official I went back to meet the same doctor. Surprisingly, she was much friendlier this time. She was very satisfied with the lab results and finally, I got the official CPAP prescription!
📞 2 April 2025 – Call from the Equipment Provider Received a call from Schlafgeräte | Zuther + Hautmann Medizintechnik GmbH. They offered me a termin… but it was scheduled far in June. The wait continues.
📦 13 May 2025 – Picking Up My CPAP Machine Big day. I had my appointment at Schlafgeräte | Zuther + Hautmann Medizintechnik GmbH, near Ku’damm. I arrived early, too excited to wait. A friendly German lady showed me how to use the machine, adjust the mask, and handle maintenance and cleaning. She even threw in a free bottle of distilled water. I left with a complete set: machine, mask, filters, travel bag and a smile.
🩺 25 June 2025 – Monitoring with CPAP Back to the lung doctor. I was given another 24-hour blood pressure monitor, but this time I had to wear it overnight with the CPAP.
📤 26 June 2025 – Return & Done Returned the machine in the morning. One more step complete.
Late July 2025 – Final Report Roughly a month later, I received an official letter with the full report. Everything looked fine. It was such a relief to have confirmation that the CPAP therapy is working well.
To Be Continued
Stay tuned. The next chapter: living with CPAP. If you’re starting your own sleep journey in Germany, I hope this helps you feel less alone. Sleep is a right—not a luxury.
**Yes. This article is generated by ChatGPT but the full experience here is valid.