Tonker
I`m in the same position as you, although not with the same considerations re employment thankfully. As was explained to me, there are 2 types of Apnoea. One as you describe, like me, which does not allow the heart to rest at night as it should and can lead to fatal consequences. The other type is much more serious and is one that authorities are very nervous about and that is where you suddenly drop off to sleep without warning. Frightening..
In the general NHS type treatment it sadly has a low priority these days and is generally nurse led, so hard to find specialist doctors, who know what they are talking about, to speak to in some areas. Some sort of weight loss (I wish) also helps, so they tell me. Important thing is to try to find a specialist in this field and talk to them.
By the way you do get used to the mask and the C=pap machine, but getting the damn thing through security sometimes makes you wonder why you bother!!..Best wishes and feel free to PM if I can be of any further assistance