6 Hours/Zero AHI

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49er
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6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by 49er » Fri Apr 24, 2015 4:18 am

Last night, I finally had a night of sleep that I had hoped to have on a consistent basis when I started pap therapy over 3 years ago and was waiting to have after my septoplasty last month which I had to improve my nasal potency.

Basically, with the exception of one earlier nap, I was able to stay awake without falling asleep prematurely by standing up to watch programs on my Kindle. Additionally, I felt that nasal irrigation was actually adding to my problems with sleep and not helping and simply stuck with Simply Saline Mist and X Lear when I felt congested.

I am also now able to use a lower pressure than I did prior to my surgery which I am sure can't hurt. Previously, I was at 13.8/9.8 and now I am at 11.8/7.8.

Finally, I focused on when I woke up prematurely to tell myself to get back to sleep as quickly as possible before any negative thoughts about waking up would occur. I think it worked because even Sleepyhead said I only had one wake, I remember more than that. But obviously, they weren't enough to show up.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the one day miracle I was hoping for in which all my problems with memory would disappear. But I think they also call that getting older, right?

To the newbies reading this post - My situation is very unusual so please don't base what is going to happen to you on what I experienced. But I did want to post this to give encouragement to folks who are struggling and wondering if this therapy is worth it.

Finally, even though I had a zero AHI, I definitely wasn't shooting for that just so folks know. In my own situation, I feel I need as low an AHI as possible to have any chance of feeling good but having the perfect score has never been important to me.

49er

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LSAT
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Re: 6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by LSAT » Fri Apr 24, 2015 5:43 am

Congratulations....I hope it continues

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Re: 6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by Pugsy » Fri Apr 24, 2015 7:13 am

Congratulations.
Keep telling yourself...I did it and I can do it again and I can even do better.
Now it won't all happen at once but it can be done.

For the people who don't know 49er...this is a huge success and not the 0.0 AHI part....the 6 hours of sleep part.
The nice AHI is just a little icing on the cake to help puff out our chests just a little but the real victory is the hours of sleep part even with a few wake ups mixed in.

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Re: 6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by robysue » Fri Apr 24, 2015 7:36 am

49er,

I know you've had a very long, slow slog trying to make this crazy therapy work for you. Congrats on the good night and just as importantly on the relatively decent day that followed. Here's hoping that you'll see more of them and that the frequency of them increases as time goes on.

You write:
Finally, I focused on when I woke up prematurely to tell myself to get back to sleep as quickly as possible before any negative thoughts about waking up would occur. I think it worked because even Sleepyhead said I only had one wake, I remember more than that. But obviously, they weren't enough to show up.
It does indeed help to simply focus on getting back to sleep as soon as possible, doesn't it?

Again, congratulations. And here's hoping your success continues.

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49er
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Re: 6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by 49er » Fri Apr 24, 2015 9:39 am

Thanks LSAT, Pugsy, Roby Sue.

LSAT - I hope it continues too.

Yup Pugsy, the zero AHI was like extra chocolate fudge icing. Vanilla icing with a higher AHI would have definitely sufficed.

Roby Sue - Yup, the focus on getting back to sleep as quickly as possible is key.

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Nick Danger
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Re: 6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by Nick Danger » Fri Apr 24, 2015 10:29 am

Woot! Glad the septoplasty seems to have helped!

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Luthie2006
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Re: 6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by Luthie2006 » Fri Apr 24, 2015 11:27 am

You know how I feel, 49er. Thrilled for you! Now I hope I can get some sleep at some point too, between cushy squishy nasal pillows with too much condensation, nasal problems also, and an affectionate cat that likes to sleep next to my face that occasionally wakes me, LOL.

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kaiasgram
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Re: 6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by kaiasgram » Fri Apr 24, 2015 12:55 pm

That was a hard earned six hours 49er, I'm so happy things are finally turning around for you. Big Congrats!

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49er
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Re: 6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by 49er » Sat Apr 25, 2015 1:00 am

Thanks Nick, Kaisgram, Luthie.

Nick - Septoplasty definitely has helped although I am not sure it is the whole story sleepwise. Just like the cpap machine can't fix all bad sleep, I didn't expect this surgery to fix everything even though it would have been nice.

Luthie - I hope your fortunes start to improve yesterday.

Kaisgram - Thanks! I do feel things are turning around. Tonight wasn't as good as it was just five hours but when that is still better than what I have done previously, there is no way I can be discouraged.

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kteague
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Re: 6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by kteague » Sat Apr 25, 2015 2:56 am

Here's hoping you're been ushered into an era of better sleep. I remember when it first began to happen in bursts for me it felt as if I'd crossed some sort of barrier between can't and can, and it began to happen more often and for longer periods. May bad nights now be the rare exception instead of the rule. You're overdue.

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49er
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Re: 6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by 49er » Sat Apr 25, 2015 3:14 am

kteague wrote:Here's hoping you're been ushered into an era of better sleep. I remember when it first began to happen in bursts for me it felt as if I'd crossed some sort of barrier between can't and can, and it began to happen more often and for longer periods. May bad nights now be the rare exception instead of the rule. You're overdue.
Thanks kteague. You nailed it precisely about crossing the barrier. I now feel that no matter how many times I wake up, I am going to get back to sleep and get whatever I am destined to get that night. The key to getting to "can" is more complex but crossing the barrier was a huge big step in that direction and has given me the confidence that I will definitely arrive at that destination.

I am glad you were able to overcome your difficulties in succeeding with pap therapy.

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Re: 6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by JDS74 » Sat Apr 25, 2015 4:17 am

49er:

Its been a long journey and now it looks as if the road will be a little smoother and a little straighter for the future.
I'm so glad the septoplasty is working well for you.

Congratulations

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49er
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Re: 6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by 49er » Sat Apr 25, 2015 5:17 am

JDS74 wrote:49er:

Its been a long journey and now it looks as if the road will be a little smoother and a little straighter for the future.
I'm so glad the septoplasty is working well for you.

Congratulations
Thanks JDS74.

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Re: 6 Hours/Zero AHI

Post by Macpage » Sat Apr 25, 2015 9:56 am

Sweet! I'm glad to see your improvement.

It just goes to show that we've got to keep working at this.

Best,

Mike

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