Looking for encouragement

From those out there (if there are any) who have a low(er) AHI and have had success with sleep docs/CPAP, etc... I hear too many bad things and wondering if there are a few people that have actually had luck with this. Thanks.

They have a life!! They are back out in the real world in high paying,
fast paced jobs, chasing women, playing golf, travelling the world, etc.
Just a joke ... that is what I am hoping for from my treatment. But
seriously, I think the folks who are "well adjusted" and getting good
results just don't check the forums every day to say "I feel great".
There are many, many folks who have had great success and swear
by the treatment. You will find many loving, caring folks here who
will give you all the support you need. Yes, there are hurdles to
overcome, and difficulties in the adjustment, but certainly the negative
symptoms and effect on your health make them worth the effort for
you to prevail. Since I know a few folks who died from the illness, I
am highly motivated to push onward. Where there is a will, there is
a way. Post your concerns, problems, and troubles, and someone
will help you. You are not alone. There are literally millions worldwide
suffering.

Yep, if you read this board soon after you learn that you have OSA or other sleep disorder and are trying to learn about what to expect, you can be discouraged by all the hassles that people have gone through (are going through). There are so many horror stories from people who are struggling with their treatment. I remember being fearful that it would take forever to get adjusted to sleeping with the hose. And then it would be months before I would feel any difference.

But I am here to tell you that it has not been all that bad. I was fortunate to get a good DME. I found good advise on this sight to help me make the right decisions on which equipment to get. There have been some great ideas for "tricks of the trade" from people who have been there. I have adjusted quite quickly and am feeling the benefits after just a week.

Don't let the questions and complaining about uncomfortable masks, or evil DMEs , or other health issues scare you off. That's part of the reason for this site. it gives us a place to vent and seek advise from others. If you keep reading you'll see that most everyone here has a pretty good attitude and are either committed to getting results or are seeing results. There are a lot of encouraging stories to be heard!

If your doctor is recommending or you are contemplating a sleep study or treatment, go for it. It is so much better than the alternative and really not all that bad.

I second meister's comments. The forum is a place folks come to for getting answers to problems and to vent when treatment is not going well. You are likely to notice that there are not a lot of 'old timers' on the forum - that's because people who work out the kinks (or who give up entirely) don't tend to stick around on the forum.

Personally, I love my cpap. I sleep much better (breath much better). I am not too concerned that a nap or a night or two without my cpap will kill me (literally) since I have done without (in ignorance) for many, many years. But, I definitely notice the difference when I do go without. For some the change is almost immediate, but for most of us the improvement is gradual. Until I had to do without for a few nights, I was a little sceptical about how much it was helping; but It was VERY noticeable when I stopped.

I still fight with my mask & leaks. I still resent the prices (and attitudes) of my DME. But it is working for me. The goal is to make it work even better. Hang in there...

I like my CPAP already, too. I do sleep better with it. I go to sleep with some expectation of actually sleeping deeply. I do sleep deeply. Finally! I have now had the experience of waking up feeling like I've been getting *good* sleep. I want more!

ballast949 wrote: *snip* You are likely to notice that there are not a lot of 'old timers' on the forum - that's because people who work out the kinks (or who give up entirely) don't tend to stick around on the forum.

ballast, I think you've hit it pretty much square on the head. Except for a few (like rested gal and a couple of others), it looks like the "old timers" (and I'm starting to think of myself as one after only 5 months or so) find renewed energy and life, get busy living again like we used to and kind of drift off the board.......as I have done.

I got married on Memorial Day weekend and the last 2 weeks have been on a honeymoon/family vacation with Sweetie and Bunny. My APAP went with us and, with one exception, we ALL slept well for all 12 nights that we were on the road (the one exception was one morning when, at about 4AM, I took the mask off in my sleep. Sweetie gently woke me and said I was about to wake up the entire motel with my snores! LOL)

Folks, this therapy WORKS! Find the right combination of CPAP/APAP/BiPAP, pressures, software, humidifier, mask, pillow, whatever it takes to get you as comfortable as possible (note I didn't just say "comfortable") and then let it work for you. Like I said earlier, I've been on APAP for about 6 months now and I feel like I'm 20 years younger (and I turn 54 July 5). Stick with it.....stick with the forum as long as you need it.....and listen, research and do your part.

I can truly affirm what everyone above as said. I've been on cpap since November and am soooo much better. Yes, it's a hassle to find the right mask and machine combination as mentioned before but whatever you do, don't give up! I'm now keeping my newborn grandson while his mom works and enjoying it so much. I never could have done this if I hadn't gotten the c-pap treatment. There will be good days and bad days but eventually the good days will far outnumber the bad days until there is only a bad day just every once in a while and usually that's not due to the c-pap treatment anyway. Since going on cpap, I've repainted the entire outside of my house and planted and maintained a beautiful flower garden. I do so many things now and enjoy them. I used to do things but was just too tired to really enjoy it. I've also undergone a septoplasty to fix a deviated nasal septum and somnoplasty to reduce nasal congestion. I underwent these to enhance my cpap treatment, not discontinue it. I have a constant pressure of 12 (just a plain old vanilla cpap) and use the Breeze Nasal Pillows or the Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask on nights when I'm too congested to breathe through my nose or just want a change and I'm doing great. It took me several tries with different masks to find the right one for me. I didn't get a choice about the machine but I'm doing great with it so just hang in there. My sleep doctor said I could be a poster child for cpap therapy last time I went in to see him. I've lost 20 pounds and my blood pressure is down although I still have to take high blood pressure meds. All I'm trying to say is that if you'll just hang in there and find what's right for you even though you may have to go through some hassles, that this treatment really and truly does work!!!!!!!!!!!! Best wishes!

HisServ,
Nowadays I always have AHI less than 1.0 most nights 0.3-0.5 Is it low enough? It was not so earlier I can tell! I think most people here are very positive to this, because we know that there is no other alternative than learning the lesson: how to make maximum profit of using the machine. I just keep learning daytime, and sleep better at night. It works for me, it can work for you as well. This forum is an excellent school with the best teachers.
Sandor

I actually meant people who have mild sleep apnea... should have worded it better... my fault. It is good to hear everyone though who has had success with CPAP. I am wanting to try it. I just can't wait to see what pulmonologist has to say I guess. Appointment this friday. Already had my sleep study but no titration because AHI too low. I don't know. We'll see. I didn't get the full results and am anxious to see if they did have a positional AHI and if there were any braddycardia (sp?) or tachycardia. Thanks for the encouragement.

I use a cpap and have had luck with it,set at 11. I use a comfort classic nose mask by respironics also with very good results.

Just wanted to hopefully lift your spirits. I have a setting of 10 which I don't consider high because the machine that I have goes to 20. I am 26 years old and I have been living a very tired life since I was a teenager. I am married and have a 3 year old son. The three years my son has been alive I haven't really got to play with him because everytime I got home from work I was too tired or too ill from lack of sleep. I received my cpap yesterday and I am looking very foward to getting use to the treatment so one day in the near future I will have enough energy to have a real play date with my son and become the active father I need to be. Any questions just post someone will answer I have been there but these are good people here and very helpful. If I can help you just let me know. Have a Blessed Day!!!!!!

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HisServ wrote:I just can't wait to see what pulmonologist has to say I guess. Appointment this friday. Already had my sleep study but no titration because AHI too low. I don't know. We'll see.

You're taking charge to improve your life. That's the most important thing. Whatever you find to be the final solution, you're going to be fine. Finding the motivation to change is the hard part. After that, it's just a matter of applying what you've learned. Good job!