Best night yet! (And some curiosities)

Last night was great! I fell asleep within 20 minutes, only woke a couple of times to shift positions, and woke up before my alarm clock feeling like I rested well. That never happens! Even my wife asked "who are you?" when I was getting out of bed before her.

The reported AHI was 0.6. Everything looks to be good. The only one question I did have is that there was a period of time of which the pressure went to and stayed at the maximum of 14cm. Not sure why that was?

Also, I am kind of amazed that my prescription was for 8cm, and with APAP mode, the median pressure seems to be more around 11-12cm so far. It never stays around 8cm. I only hope I am not getting *too much* pressure. But the results seemingly speak for themselves, right?



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I wish when I have low numbers I felt great.

sleepwiggler wrote:I wish when I have low numbers I felt great.

I guess for me, it is relative. I am also battling Hashimoto's (and correlating hypothyroidism). Coming from a place where I was apparently getting close to zero sleep at night (AHI 118.7 and sub 75% o2 levels, with mostly all obstructive apnea, consistently at night), it makes a large difference to finally actually breathe at night.

Again, I am coming from a place where I could barely function any longer. I was falling asleep at work, at home, in the car... wherever I was sitting. I am 33, with a 5 year old and a 2 year old, and I never had the energy to play with them. When I say I feel "great", I mean that I am for the first time in a long time functional. I am not ready to start running marathons or anything. But I can at least participate in life, which for the last year or two, I was failing at... and consequently missing out on a lot with my children.

You don't know how bad you felt until you start feeling the effects of the cpap. My sleep dr. said it takes 6 months for your brain to recover. I remember what that first burst of energy felt like when I first started cpap. Hope you continue on this good path.

MikeZzz wrote:

sleepwiggler wrote:I wish when I have low numbers I felt great.

I guess for me, it is relative. I am also battling Hashimoto's (and correlating hypothyroidism). Coming from a place where I was apparently getting close to zero sleep at night (AHI 118.7 and sub 75% o2 levels, with mostly all obstructive apnea, consistently at night), it makes a large difference to finally actually breathe at night.

Again, I am coming from a place where I could barely function any longer. I was falling asleep at work, at home, in the car... wherever I was sitting. I am 33, with a 5 year old and a 2 year old, and I never had the energy to play with them. When I say I feel "great", I mean that I am for the first time in a long time functional. I am not ready to start running marathons or anything. But I can at least participate in life, which for the last year or two, I was failing at... and consequently missing out on a lot with my children.

I understand about energy, I have been out of work for 3 months for the same things. I have started feeling better after switching to a bipap but the AHI numbers for me always seem useless in respect to how I feel. I can have low numbers and feel like crap but I also take meds that possibly contribute to that since I have restless legs, PLMD, and Rem Sleep behavior disorder. Those are just my sleeping disorders aside from OSA.

I loved your comment about you are able to "participate in life" because that is exactly how I felt with my treated apnea. I could plan things and enjoy them.
Your pressures look good and if you are sleeping comfortable, I wouldn't worry about them being too much. They briefly hit 14 probably caused by flow limitations which are precursors of events. For now I wouldn't worry about this short topping out. Just enjoy your effective therapy.

sleepwiggler wrote: I understand about energy, I have been out of work for 3 months for the same things. I have started feeling better after switching to a bipap but the AHI numbers for me always seem useless in respect to how I feel. I can have low numbers and feel like crap but I also take meds that possibly contribute to that since I have restless legs, PLMD, and Rem Sleep behavior disorder. Those are just my sleeping disorders aside from OSA.

Yikes! I can't begin to imagine your challenges. I just hope, in time, by addressing one thing at a time and getting accustomed to treatment, that you find the relief you are looking for! Just don't give up! </hugs>

OkyDoky wrote:I loved your comment about you are able to "participate in life" because that is exactly how I felt with my treated apnea. I could plan things and enjoy them.
Your pressures look good and if you are sleeping comfortable, I wouldn't worry about them being too much. They briefly hit 14 probably caused by flow limitations which are precursors of events. For now I wouldn't worry about this short topping out. Just enjoy your effective therapy.

It's just the beginning (I hope). I have been struggling so much, especially over the last year. I have gained 120 lbs over the last 10 years, 60 of it in the las t2 years. I have been on countless diets. I have almost lost my marriage, my job, and though I know my kids love me, I haven't been able to make the memories I had dreamed about when they were born. It all had broken me. I didn't know who I was anymore, or how I let it get that far. I was coasting through life, and spiraling downward. The first key was figuring out the thyroid issues. That has been an up and down battle since earlier this year as I keep getting adjustments to the meds seeking a therapeutic level. The apnea, as it turns out, was even bigger. For the first time in a long time I have hope. I still have a long way to go. Oh so far. But at least now it seems possible. And that's the most I can ask for. The rest is up to me.

MikeZzz wrote:

sleepwiggler wrote: I understand about energy, I have been out of work for 3 months for the same things. I have started feeling better after switching to a bipap but the AHI numbers for me always seem useless in respect to how I feel. I can have low numbers and feel like crap but I also take meds that possibly contribute to that since I have restless legs, PLMD, and Rem Sleep behavior disorder. Those are just my sleeping disorders aside from OSA.

Yikes! I can't begin to imagine your challenges. I just hope, in time, by addressing one thing at a time and getting accustomed to treatment, that you find the relief you are looking for! Just don't give up! </hugs>

OkyDoky wrote:I loved your comment about you are able to "participate in life" because that is exactly how I felt with my treated apnea. I could plan things and enjoy them.
Your pressures look good and if you are sleeping comfortable, I wouldn't worry about them being too much. They briefly hit 14 probably caused by flow limitations which are precursors of events. For now I wouldn't worry about this short topping out. Just enjoy your effective therapy.

It's just the beginning (I hope). I have been struggling so much, especially over the last year. I have gained 120 lbs over the last 10 years, 60 of it in the las t2 years. I have been on countless diets. I have almost lost my marriage, my job, and though I know my kids love me, I haven't been able to make the memories I had dreamed about when they were born. It all had broken me. I didn't know who I was anymore, or how I let it get that far. I was coasting through life, and spiraling downward. The first key was figuring out the thyroid issues. That has been an up and down battle since earlier this year as I keep getting adjustments to the meds seeking a therapeutic level. The apnea, as it turns out, was even bigger. For the first time in a long time I have hope. I still have a long way to go. Oh so far. But at least now it seems possible. And that's the most I can ask for. The rest is up to me.

Starting year number 3 of Sleep Apnea treatment and unfortunately I was not honest with myself, my doctor or maybe I thought this tired feeling was normal I have not true rest since about 2006, well actually before that. Official diagnosis of RLS was 2006. I waited till my body started giving up on me to tell my doctor and then I had to be an A$$ to get him to do anything. Thankful I did as I am now hopefully on the road to feeling better.

MikeZzz wrote:Last night was great! I fell asleep within 20 minutes, only woke a couple of times to shift positions, and woke up before my alarm clock feeling like I rested well. That never happens! Even my wife asked "who are you?" when I was getting out of bed before her.

The reported AHI was 0.6. Everything looks to be good. The only one question I did have is that there was a period of time of which the pressure went to and stayed at the maximum of 14cm. Not sure why that was?

Also, I am kind of amazed that my prescription was for 8cm, and with APAP mode, the median pressure seems to be more around 11-12cm so far. It never stays around 8cm. I only hope I am not getting *too much* pressure. But the results seemingly speak for themselves, right?

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Sounds like you are having excellent results so far. I am not surprised at all that your initial prescription was off the mark. Mine was originally written for 6cm. That got my AHI to the mid-teens. Better than nothing, but far from ideal. With some assistance from this board, I have tinkered the settings and gotten it down to mid-single digits.

I will leave your chart and max pressure issue to be addressed by the more experienced people on here. Remember, a lot of them are busy/gone for the holidays.

I don't know your age, or if you exercise, but I will share my experience with you. I started walking about three years ago. A brisk pace, but not "power-walking" per se. Set a goal to average 60 miles/month. Lost 20-25 pounds in the first four months. Probably would have lost more, but I wasn't overweight to begin with. Cost me $60 for a good pair of shoes. Low impact, so it doesn't cause other injuries like so many exercise programs do. I have put some of the weight back on, but that is due to muscle. I am down to the same pants size I wore when I graduated high school. And I am 52 years old. Highly recommend.