New person, what to "really" expect :)

cheeks · Post by **cheeks** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 8:59 pm

Greetings :)

It is very happy to have found this website that is filled with people like myself. Thanks for being here and having so many articles for me to browse.

I guess what I am looking for is what to really expect from using my cpap machine. Honest changes that have happened for other people cuz so far from what I have read it seems like almost a magic potion that could make me regain memory abilities, function better, get rid of my headaches, and maybe even lose weight. Also Did those things happen for anyone and if so how long does it take to start noticing? I just want honest expectations :)

My history briefly: I am a 32 yr old female and had sleep study a little over a month ago due to unexplained weight gain, tiredness and headaches. Saw the sleep doc and he prescribed me a cpap machine something called Respironics 400 something with C-flex due to central and obstructive apnea. I guess on my side it is like 18 apneas and on my back it jumps to 48, central and obstructive being about even with some mixed ones as well.

The doctor said that if I use the cpap machine it might make the central apneas go away as well as an rem disorder? He mentioned something about a breathing disorder but i cannot recall what he called it :( My memory is very poor. Does that ring a bell with anyone...trying to find information about it is somewhat painful.

If anyone would like to share with me that would be great, even if to link to an informative website ( most are very simplified) that would be awesome.

Thanks and nice to meet you all!

Cheeks

Jaggles · Post by **Jaggles** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:01 pm

As a fellow newbie, 11 days, try reading the collective wisdom, yellow lightbulb above. Lots of good info in there.

Moby · Post by **Moby** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:12 pm

Welcome, Cheeks!

Have you got a mask yet?

Good luck, and keep us posted with your progress. I am sure you will soon be feeling much better once you get some of that oxygen doing what it's supposed to do!

regards

Di

Bamalady · Post by **Bamalady** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:13 pm

Hi Cheeks.....it can take time to see improvement for some. Others feel better right away. I had Cluster headaches, and had an immediate improvement in them. I gained 23 pounds in about 12 months though!

Welcome aboard. Ask all the questions you want. Someone will be around to help.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:19 am

You need to get a copy of your sleep study. If you post the info from it we can help you better. You also need to get your perscription for cpap. You may need it at some point and it's easier to get it now. Some doctors give you a hard time about these things, be insistant! Be sure you get both!
You need to find out what the breathing disorder was. Write everything down if you have to. There are alot of people here who can and will help you but we need more info and the correct info.
I was one of the lucky ones, I got immediate results from cpap. No more headaches or night time trips to the bathroom. I have lots more energy during the day and sleep through the night. No more tossing and turning all night. Memory still improving.

Brenda

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:37 am

Welcome, Cheeks!

Brenda's right. Get a copy of your sleep studies (both the summary reports and the actual data collected during the night), and your CPAP prescription. Maybe your REM disorder was actually a restless leg disorder? Unfortunately, if you're looking for the truth about what to expect, it's that it's different for everyone. One thing for sure, you'll be better off for having found this forum.

Keep us posted, and good luck!
Cathy

JimInAL · Post by **JimInAL** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:33 am

Learn all you can from the good folks here. Starting out, it's a bit like drinking from a firehose, but it's worth it.

I was diagnosed with apnea about a month ago. If I had not learned so much form the collective wisdom and postings here I wouldn't have been as motivated to take charge of my treatment.

My sleep doc was willing for me to get the cheapest machine and leave me on my own for 3 months before a followup visit. The most important thing I've learned from this group is that you can get a machine that logs data throughout the night and software to process it so that you can know for certain if the treatment is adequately reducing your apneas or not. You can also get a auto machine that adjusts pressures depending on what you need - you might need one pressure for side sleeping and a different pressure while on your back.

I could tell that my first mask leaked some, but until I saw the data I had no way of knowing that it was leaking so much that the machine couldn't tell if I was having apnea events or not. (My large leak ratio was over 80%!) My auto machine wasn't increasing pressure because it wasn't detecting apneas. The bottom line is that it probably wasn't effectively treating my apneas, but now I've switched to a different mask and reduced the leaks so the treatment can be effective.

Mile High Sleeper · Post by **Mile High Sleeper** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 1:45 pm

As Jaggles suggested, go to the yellow light bulb above and read the articles under Help for New or Struggling Users, How Long Until I Feel Better; especially the articles on Recovery and CPAP Adaptation Stages and OSA Recovery - Specific Conditions. There are lots of links in the articles to people's real experience.

Good luck with your new therapy; hope it goes easy and well.

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:01 am

JimInAl , you nailed it.
What about when you have that firehose coming out of two tiny swift holes ? Then it's a firehose through a nozzel.
Welcome Cheeks and Jaggles

Mask

Humidifier

Additional Comments: ozzie heated hose.

New person, what to "really" expect :)

New person, what to "really" expect :)

feeling better