CPAP and symptom recovery

Hello, I will be starting on CPAP next week. After many years of feeling unwell, and not really knowing why, I am really hoping that this will be the thing that finally allows me to move on with my life. I've ready varied accounts on what to expect. I know this question has likely been asked many times before on this forum, but I wondered if some people can please give specific and realistic examples of what to expect, in terms of improving quality of life and function. Thank you.

seekingwellness2016 wrote:Hello, I will be starting on CPAP next week. After many years of feeling unwell, and not really knowing why, I am really hoping that this will be the thing that finally allows me to move on with my life. I've ready varied accounts on what to expect. I know this question has likely been asked many times before on this forum, but I wondered if some people can please give specific and realistic examples of what to expect, in terms of improving quality of life and function. Thank you.

I would suggest you register with the forum. It's going to be a constant resource for you as you go through this.
Unfortunately there is no real answer to your question, it varies a lot from person to person. Some people feel better right away, others take weeks or months before they really notice the changes. What I can say is that at times you will be annoyed and irritated by the whole process but if you continue to work on it you will feel better in the mornings/days and it will improve your quality of life over what it was. You will be less tired and you will feel better overall.

seekingwellness2016 wrote:Hello, I will be starting on CPAP next week. After many years of feeling unwell, and not really knowing why, I am really hoping that this will be the thing that finally allows me to move on with my life. I've ready varied accounts on what to expect. I know this question has likely been asked many times before on this forum, but I wondered if some people can please give specific and realistic examples of what to expect, in terms of improving quality of life and
function. Thank you.

Do your homework!
Make sure you have a comprehensive knowledge of the brands and models of machines and masks.
Be sure that the machine you get is fully data-capable.......and preferably an APAP (Auto adjusting).
If you're prescribed a bi-level machine, most of them are capable of auto-adjusting.
Get software and monitor your therapy from the get-go.
Take control of your own therapy as soon as possible. Nobody will care about YOUR therapy more than YOU.

As was stated previously, everyone's recovery time is different. But, the sooner you take control and optimize your therapy, the faster it will be.


Den

.

Keep a daily journal. Some of the effects of cpap therapy are very subtle but important and only when you look back can you see the mood changes, the mental ability changes and the very subtle physical changes.
Start now before you have your cpap and chronicle your mental, physical and emotional state.

Get upto date and the latest machines and data. Approach your providers with the attitude of you are buying the most important thing in your life and you are going to be in charge of it.

Thank you all very much for the replies and encouragement.

I was reading last night that removal of the tonsils and adenoids in children can often be "curative." This does not appear to be the case for adults, obviously. In newly diagnosed cases of obstructive sleep apnea, is it common/relevant for the underlying anatomic cause to be evaluated, for example identifying the actual site(s) of obstruction?

seekingwellness2016 wrote:Thank you all very much for the replies and encouragement.

I was reading last night that removal of the tonsils and adenoids in children can often be "curative." This does not appear to be the case for adults, obviously. In newly diagnosed cases of obstructive sleep apnea, is it common/relevant for the underlying anatomic cause to be evaluated, for example identifying the actual site(s) of obstruction?

I remember years ago, a poll was taken on the forum about whether the forum members had had their tonsils and adenoids removed in childhood. The general consensus was that the vast majority of us who had them removed, got Obstructive Sleep Apnea anyway.

I also agree that it's important to identify the source of the problem. Too many folks (including doctors) generally suggest that it's in the neck, throat and due to or caused by weight gain. I've always contended that the nasal passages may actually be a higher contributor to OSA than lower points in the airways (neck area).


Den

.

seekingwellness2016 wrote:Hello, I will be starting on CPAP next week. After many years of feeling unwell, and not really knowing why, I am really hoping that this will be the thing that finally allows me to move on with my life. I've ready varied accounts on what to expect. I know this question has likely been asked many times before on this forum, but I wondered if some people can please give specific and realistic examples of what to expect, in terms of improving quality of life and function. Thank you.

instead of telling you to memorize a comprehensive list of all cpaps out there, I'll just point you to a reference where you can look up whatever they try to foist off on you first.
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment/cpapmachines
just say "NO!" to anything that says "no" in the data column of it's listing.