Been on a bipap for nearly five weeks now. Still not feeling much

[Wanz]

I started out with the nose mask(wisp) bt had to switch to the Amara full mask since I would tend to exhale through my mouth halfway through the night after I started to get somewhat congested, Yes, I was using a humidifier and a chin strap but still had issues. The Amara view mask is working well. Just the tip of my nose is getting a tad sore but I saw an older topic where it was recommended to use, Lansinoh lanolin ointment which I plan to use if further adjustments of my head straps don't work.

My question is, that I have been using my machine for just over one moth and still waiting to see benefits, The only benefit I have noticed is that my panic attacks stopped the very first months. According to the monitoring of my sessions, I have an acceptable amount of leakage. I have read that for "some it can take weeks or even months before the true benefit is reached." I'm just still fatigues at times during the day when I shouldn't be.

[zonker]

My question is, that I have been using my machine for juts over one moth and still waiting to see benefits, The only benefit I have noticed is that my panic attacks stopped the very first months. According to the monitoring of my sessions, I have an acceptable amount of leakage. I have read that for "some it can take weeks or even months before the true benefit is reached." I'm just still fatigues at times during the day when I shouldn't be.

hello, cleveland!! and welcome to the zoo.

you've asked and answered your own question. however, there is still the chance that you don't have your settings where they need to be for you. as you've been reading through the forum(and thanks for that. too many people just come in and ask a question.), you'll note that this therapy is very much individualized. and almost all of the advice given here is fact based.

so, please download the free oscar software and post some charts.

the link to oscar is in my sig. also, you'll want to read the newbie thread i have linked in my sig, as it will get you started on oscar.

good luck!

[Wanz]

Thank you. I see my “sleep doctor” next Tuesday and I asked from the the place that oversees my machine results to fax those readings to my Doctor. According to them, I have very little leakage. Acceptable nonetheless. Maybe my pressure needs to be changed or maybe I am one of the ones that need more time.

Can’t be sure how long I’ve had the sleep apnea but it seems
It’s been well over a year before going on a machine. The first thought was that my fatigue was due to medication and then depression and it was finally discovered by a doctor I was seeing for something of a different nature, picked up that I may have had a sleep disorder. This doctor was also a sleep medicine doctor plus plus a specialist in another area.

I’ll spend more time learning from board tomorrow. Thanks for the early support.

[Miss Emerita]

Let me add my welcome. I see that you have a Phillips Bipap machine, which has a fair number of setting adjustments that could be made in light of your data. So it is extra important to delve into Oscar.

When you see your sleep doctor, ask for a copy of your sleep study, if you don’t already have one, and be sure you know what your AHI was and its breakdown into different kinds of events. And be sure you know what your AHI is with treatment, and again the breakdown. When you have Oscar, you will know all this yourself, but it’s good to focus on it in your conversation with the doctor.

And please be sure to say you are still tired during the day. Your doctor should be aiming to get you down to an AHI of under 2. Don’t settle for less!

[kteague]

The fact that your panic attacks stopped is an AMAZING benefit. Like others have said, you'll want to make sure your settings are optimized and that there's not some low level stuff still going on sabotaging your sense of well being. While you are working through things and waiting on more rewards for your efforts, just a few things to think about. Are you on any meds that could account for your symptoms? Are you getting enough hours of sleep? How do you feel your sleep quality is - waking much, restless, insomnia? Have you been checked for the routine medical things that make one feel drained, for starters, anemia, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes? Have you had your levels checked on things like Vitamin D and B Vitamins?

I know 5 weeks feels like a long time. Not sure how long into those 5 weeks you were struggling with things like mask type, mask fit, etc. We probably shouldn't expect too much until we have been through an adjustment phase and and then have a period of time getting adequate, consistent, quality sleep. Hopefully you'll see more results soon.

[Wanz]

The Lansinoh lanolin ointment seemed to have helped. Nose not as sore as it was. I think it's still a tad sore from the previous night without the ointment. This time I think I had my bottom straps too tight since I had red marks this morning which I haven't had at all prior. I'm probably less likely to get those marks since I have very little body fat. Many think I actually underweight.

[Wanz]

The fact that your panic attacks stopped is an AMAZING benefit. Like others have said, you'll want to make sure your settings are optimized and that there's not some low level stuff still going on sabotaging your sense of well being. While you are working through things and waiting on more rewards for your efforts, just a few things to think about. Are you on any meds that could account for your symptoms? Are you getting enough hours of sleep? How do you feel your sleep quality is - waking much, restless, insomnia? Have you been checked for the routine medical things that make one feel drained, for starters, anemia, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes? Have you had your levels checked on things like Vitamin D and B Vitamins?

I know 5 weeks feels like a long time. Not sure how long into those 5 weeks you were struggling with things like mask type, mask fit, etc. We probably shouldn't expect too much until we have been through an adjustment phase and and then have a period of time getting adequate, consistent, quality sleep. Hopefully you'll see more results soon.

I get a yearly physical and all my levels have been fine. Certain meds were making me a tad anemic so I have watched that closely. I had blood work about 8 times last year after every time I switched meds. Thanks for your support.

[Miss Emerita]

A small thing: you might try a Pad-a-Cheek mask liner to help with the red lines. They make one for your mask.

[Wanz]

A small thing: you might try a Pad-a-Cheek mask liner to help with the red lines. They make one for your mask.

Thanks, I had thought about a liner from Padacheek(had seen someone post about that liner in an old topic here) for my nose irritation but the ointment seems to be working for now. As far as the red marks, it was only one morning I had it because I had the lower straps too snug. I would consider that liner if I don't completely eliminate the nose irritation as long as I think it from the rubbing, not bruising.

[loggerhead12]

Don't count on your sleep doc being able to tell you if your therapy is optimized. Many (most?) spend about 12 seconds looking at your AHI and tell you what a great job you're doing. There are some real data wizards on here who can tell you what's going on IF you take the time to import your own results into OSCAR and post your charts.

[Wanz]

Don't count on your sleep doc being able to tell you if your therapy is optimized. Many (most?) spend about 12 seconds looking at your AHI and tell you what a great job you're doing. There are some real data wizards on here who can tell you what's going on IF you take the time to import your own results into OSCAR and post your charts.

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll keep it that in mind.