New user questions.

I've just finished my first week sleeping with a CPAP machine after diagnosis from a sleep study. Although my snoring has stopped, I'm not feeling much better. Does it typically take some time for that to happen? Should I hook up for naps? Also, what's acceptable for cleaning routines? Thanks a lot.

Yes, use your machine for naps.

Would you please add your equipment permanently to your profile. Use text please as the images are so small we can't easily see model names and the machines all look alike. Here's how. wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile

Cleaning schedules....discussed often here and are highly individualized.
here is a long thread where members chimed in viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2482&st=0&sk=t&sd=a ... +equipment

How long to feel better? Unknown. Again this is highly individual...some people feel marked improvement right away and some people the improvement is very gradual and some people it takes months and months. My killer morning headaches pretty much were immediately removed along with the nocturia but the other general symptoms (fatigue and need to nap) took much longer but then I had some issues that messed with my sleep that were unrelated to sleep apnea.

Most people will take some time to feel improvement. Those that have immediate marked improvement are rare and very lucky.

Hopefully you will be using a machine that has full data so you can use some software to make sure that at least on paper you are doing well and pointed in the right direction for feeling better.

Welcome to the forum.

Timbabwe,

Welcome to the forum.

Timbabwe wrote:I've just finished my first week sleeping with a CPAP machine after diagnosis from a sleep study. Although my snoring has stopped, I'm not feeling much better. Does it typically take some time for that to happen?

Yes, it takes time for most of us to start feeling better. It takes most new CPAPers a few weeks to a couple of months to begin seeing some improvement in how they feel. A few of us are unlucky enough to spend several months CPAPing before we start to see much improvement. And it's also important to realize that the improvement in how you feel may be very gradual: Most of us do not wake up one morning going "WOW! That's what a good night's sleep feels like!" Rather, there is a slow, but steady decrease in our symptoms and a slow but steady increase in how we feel.

For me, the first sign that CPAP was doing me some good came about 5 or 6 months after starting CPAP: I began to notice that on some mornings I was no longer waking up with the hand and foot pain that I'd been waking up with for several years. And after that realization, I continued to notice a decrease in pain levels (to the point where I now wake up free every day!) and a very gradual return of my energy levels (still not where I'd like them to be). My hubby has noticed a gradual, but steady decrease in my snarliness and an increase in my cognitive fuctioning, which never got as bad as most folks with undiagnosed OSA.

Should I hook up for naps?

Absolutely mask up for naps: CPAP is a full time therapy---when you are asleep you need to have the mask on. Because the apnea happens even during naps.

Also, what's acceptable for cleaning routines? Thanks a lot.

Cleaning routines vary a lot. Some folks wash or wipe down the masks every day, some don't. Some dump the water in the humidifier every day and rinse it with a vinegar-water combination, some don't. Some wash their hoses on a weekly basis, some don't.

The typical recommended cleaning cycle is something like:

DAILY:
Wash or wipe down the mask cushion or nasal pillows. Empty the humidifier tank and let it dry.

WEEKLY:
Take the mask apart and wash all the parts. Check to make sure all parts are in good condition. Soak the humidifier tank in a vinegar-water combination for a short while, rinse thoroughly and let it air dry. Wash the hose, inspect it for small holes and tears, and let it air dry. If the CPAP has a reusable foam air filter, wash it and let it dry.

MONTHLY:
Change the fine (paper) filter.

Every THREE to SIX Months:
Replace the entire mask (check your insurance replacement schedule)

Every SIX to TWELVE Months:
Replace the hose and the foam reusable filter (check you insurance replacement schedule)

NOTE 1: People use many different things to clean the mask cushion, the mask, and the hoses. Many people use baby shampoo or mild dishwashing liquid. Unscented alcohol free baby wipes can be used for wiping down the mask cushion or nasal pillows. Or you can wash everything except the filters with vinegar-water if the smell of vinegar doesn't bother you. You don't want the detergent you choose to have a heavy scent and I've been told it's best to avoid antibacterial detergents for some reason.

NOTE 2: Many people wash their equipment far less frequently than the above schedule. It all depends on how much you worry about germs. I have found that I'm much more relaxed now than I was a year ago.

Thank you for your reply.

Pugsy wrote:Yes, use your machine for naps.

Would you please add your equipment permanently to your profile. Use text please as the images are so small we can't easily see model names and the machines all look alike. Here's how. wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile

Cleaning schedules....discussed often here and are highly individualized.
here is a long thread where members chimed in viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2482&st=0&sk=t&sd=a ... +equipment

How long to feel better? Unknown. Again this is highly individual...some people feel marked improvement right away and some people the improvement is very gradual and some people it takes months and months. My killer morning headaches pretty much were immediately removed along with the nocturia but the other general symptoms (fatigue and need to nap) took much longer but then I had some issues that messed with my sleep that were unrelated to sleep apnea.

Most people will take some time to feel improvement. Those that have immediate marked improvement are rare and very lucky.

Hopefully you will be using a machine that has full data so you can use some software to make sure that at least on paper you are doing well and pointed in the right direction for feeling better.

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks for your reply.

robysue wrote:Timbabwe,

Welcome to the forum.

Timbabwe wrote:I've just finished my first week sleeping with a CPAP machine after diagnosis from a sleep study. Although my snoring has stopped, I'm not feeling much better. Does it typically take some time for that to happen?

Yes, it takes time for most of us to start feeling better. It takes most new CPAPers a few weeks to a couple of months to begin seeing some improvement in how they feel. A few of us are unlucky enough to spend several months CPAPing before we start to see much improvement. And it's also important to realize that the improvement in how you feel may be very gradual: Most of us do not wake up one morning going "WOW! That's what a good night's sleep feels like!" Rather, there is a slow, but steady decrease in our symptoms and a slow but steady increase in how we feel.

For me, the first sign that CPAP was doing me some good came about 5 or 6 months after starting CPAP: I began to notice that on some mornings I was no longer waking up with the hand and foot pain that I'd been waking up with for several years. And after that realization, I continued to notice a decrease in pain levels (to the point where I now wake up free every day!) and a very gradual return of my energy levels (still not where I'd like them to be). My hubby has noticed a gradual, but steady decrease in my snarliness and an increase in my cognitive fuctioning, which never got as bad as most folks with undiagnosed OSA.

Should I hook up for naps?

Absolutely mask up for naps: CPAP is a full time therapy---when you are asleep you need to have the mask on. Because the apnea happens even during naps.

Also, what's acceptable for cleaning routines? Thanks a lot.

Cleaning routines vary a lot. Some folks wash or wipe down the masks every day, some don't. Some dump the water in the humidifier every day and rinse it with a vinegar-water combination, some don't. Some wash their hoses on a weekly basis, some don't.

The typical recommended cleaning cycle is something like:

DAILY:
Wash or wipe down the mask cushion or nasal pillows. Empty the humidifier tank and let it dry.

WEEKLY:
Take the mask apart and wash all the parts. Check to make sure all parts are in good condition. Soak the humidifier tank in a vinegar-water combination for a short while, rinse thoroughly and let it air dry. Wash the hose, inspect it for small holes and tears, and let it air dry. If the CPAP has a reusable foam air filter, wash it and let it dry.

MONTHLY:
Change the fine (paper) filter.

Every THREE to SIX Months:
Replace the entire mask (check your insurance replacement schedule)

Every SIX to TWELVE Months:
Replace the hose and the foam reusable filter (check you insurance replacement schedule)

NOTE 1: People use many different things to clean the mask cushion, the mask, and the hoses. Many people use baby shampoo or mild dishwashing liquid. Unscented alcohol free baby wipes can be used for wiping down the mask cushion or nasal pillows. Or you can wash everything except the filters with vinegar-water if the smell of vinegar doesn't bother you. You don't want the detergent you choose to have a heavy scent and I've been told it's best to avoid antibacterial detergents for some reason.

NOTE 2: Many people wash their equipment far less frequently than the above schedule. It all depends on how much you worry about germs. I have found that I'm much more relaxed now than I was a year ago.

I'm sorry to see that you were stuck with a dataless brick of a machine. The Plus machine records only usage data so your DME can get paid, but if you continue to feel badly on CPAP there's no way to tell if it's from mask leakage or your pressures need adjusting because your machine lacks efficacy data.

You might want to take a look at my blog post "help, I'm stuck with a brick" but be prepared for an ugly uphill battle if you try to get a decent machine

Others have pretty much covered your questions. Everytime you sleep you use the machine, only then will you get the most benefit from your therapy. Stay active on the forum, keep asking questions and encourage other newcomers. Soon we'll be hearing it's your one year anniversary and you're feeling much better.

I am new to the group, but have been using cpap for about 14 months. I clean my swift pillows with dawn soak them in a jar and rotate them. I am use mine all of the time and do feel better. I must admit I suffered from cognitive issues for the past few years. I just thought I suffered for CMS (can't remember shit). I hate it but know I have to use the thing or suffer other consciousnesses. I am committed to losing weight as well. Need to lose about thirty and was diagnosed with diabetes as well. Getting older sucks, but the not getting older means you are dead. I just want to be the best I can be and am surprised how fast this life is passing by.