Has it been a year already?

sleepyWI · Post by **sleepyWI** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 1:28 pm

Hi everyone,

It has been awhile since I posted anything. Things have been going so well that I have kind of drifted away. Anyway, I am posting today because it is my One-Year Aniversary on CPAP (woohoo!...you will have to imagine the balloons and cake).

I want to thank everyone on here who helped me through this (too many to name really). I found this place at 2 AM in a fit of tears wondering how I was ever going to make this therapy work. Later I tried the chatroom and met CollegeGirl, Karen (Padacheeks), Karen (Birdshell), RestedGal, Mary (Bookworm), and lots of other compassionate and helpful people. I now look forward to masking up every night and have only missed 5 entire nights in the last year (New Year's Eve..he he, three days camping, and one day visiting friends when I was still too embarrased to bring along my CPAP). I get 8 hours of dream-filled sleep every night (well..most nights) and feel great. I've lost 20 pounds and am taking my health much more seriously than I was.

It has been a long strange trip and along the way I have learned...

that I am NOT stuck with whatever MASK the DME gave me. I have now used, in order, some awful FF mask, Swift, Activa, Profile Lite, CL2, Aura, CL2, Bravo-ugh, CL2, and now the OptiLife (nice - BTW!).

Padacheeks and comfort sleeves rock!

that I can question my Sleep Docs recommendations especially when I can back things up with journal articles.

How to retitrate my own pressure with a borrowed Auto (7 to 8.4)

That a straight generic CPAP without software really can be OK if you have the correct pressure to start with. I had apap envy for a long time but now I don't really feel I need it...someday.

Lavender Oil works ......

I could go on and on but mostly I just want to say Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I will try not to be such a stranger in the future..pay it forward!

Regards, Tim

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:04 pm

Hi Tim,

I'm new here since you probably posted. 2 months and counting. It's always inspiring to hear from those who have successfully mastered the "art of xPAP"! I'm still dealing with some odds and ends but it's getting there.

Congratulations on your special milestone and thanks for sharing it!

Mindy

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:48 pm

Hey, Tim!! Time flies when you're having a good time.

Glad to hear it's going so well for you!

Gee, why did you have to say "cake?"

<---- heading for the kitchen.....

tuna · Post by **tuna** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:16 pm

Here's to another year! Congrats..

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 5:07 pm

O.K.

I brought the balloons, someone else needs to bring the cake.

Congratulations Tim!

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:15 pm

congrats, tim, glad to hear it's been going so well!

thanks for updating us with your success!

take good care

sharon

lilsheba · Post by **lilsheba** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:22 pm

j.a.taylor wrote:O.K.

I brought the balloons, someone else needs to bring the cake.

Congratulations Tim!

Here's the cake!

\

sleepyWI · Post by **sleepyWI** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:38 pm

You guys are too much! I love this place

msheda · Post by **msheda** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:39 pm

sleepyWI wrote:You guys are too much! I love this place

Is that a bear on your pants or are you just happy to see us?

Congrats on making a year!

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:57 pm

oh man, that is funny

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:58 pm

msheda wrote:Is that a bear on your pants or are you just happy to see us?

ROTFL!!!!!!!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:02 am

j.a.taylor wrote:O.K.

I brought the balloons, someone else needs to bring the cake.

Congratulations Tim!

Don't look at me! I'm not domesticated!

Thanks for the cake, LilSheba!

I'm joining in celebrating w/you, Tim, 'cause on accounta I started CPAP on 09 Oct 06 so last night was my 365th night on CPAP. Ain't life grand??!! I'm heading out this afternoon for a delicious Chinese buffet lunch with friends about noon. I'll think of you as I polish off my second helping of Pineapple Chicken!!!

lilsheba · Post by **lilsheba** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:05 am

Slinky wrote:
j.a.taylor wrote:O.K.

I brought the balloons, someone else needs to bring the cake.

Congratulations Tim!
Don't look at me! I'm not domesticated!

Thanks for the cake, LilSheba!

I'm joining in celebrating w/you, Tim, 'cause on accounta I started CPAP on 09 Oct 06 so last night was my 365th night on CPAP. Ain't life grand??!! I'm heading out this afternoon for a delicious Chinese buffet lunch with friends about noon. I'll think of you as I polish off my second helping of Pineapple Chicken!!!

Happy anniversary to you too!

Catnapper · Post by **Catnapper** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:35 am

I am happy to see our members celebrate the one year anniversary, and even more when they continue to read and post here, even if only occasionally. So many disappear once they get things smoothed out or give up in frustration.

It is the celebration of these kinds of events that give encouragement to new cpap people. Realizing that others had rocky starts but continued to eventual success helps others keep at it despite the difficulties they face. Since each of us has different problems and struggles to find solutions, someone somewhere will find an idea to tweak for themselves. Sharing helps us all.

It is also important to acknowledge the newbies and their problems because it helps us remember how it was "back then"

Congrats to all of us, old (?) and new alike!

Good for you, Sleepy WI. Hope to see you more often. I miss you. (Would you post your mask contest entry for the newbies? That was so much fun!)

Catnapper

sleepyWI · Post by **sleepyWI** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 2:21 pm

[quote="msheda
Is that a bear on your pants or are you just happy to see us?
[/quote]

Mask

Additional Comments: Became a hose head June 1, 2007 @ 12 cmH2o... Ausie Heated Hose.. Hurricane Dryer..

Software

Additional Comments: decapitated aura, comfortsleeve, padacheeks, papillow, pur-sleep, pressure 9.5, back to using polident strips

Mask

Additional Comments: Also using: 1. Pad A Cheek head gear covers. 2. Respironics comfort select nasal mask. 3. Pur-Sleep aromatherapy. Pressure 16 straight CPAP.