How did you know......

[carbonman]

that CPAP was helping you??

One week for me.
I haven't slept through the night, yet.
I haven't "felt like a millon dollars", yet.
My life hasn't changed over night, yet.

I am feeling a little better, overall.
One night, I slept for 3 hours, straight.
I still wake up every couple of hours, but I seem to be
going back to sleep faster.
I do seem to have more energy toward the end of the day.
I don't seem to have such a short fuse, it's better.

How or what did you realize/notice, that let you know
CPAP was helping you.

[Claire]

Everyone is different and a lot of people here have found that it takes time to adjust to CPAP. But those who are compliant really find that there are results.

For me, particularly, my fibromyalgia disappeared, I stopped sleeping during the day, I have more energy, I started dreaming again, a digestive problem that had gone on for two years finally healed,

My first month was really hard, but then things began to get better. One reason was because I was travelling for the second month and walking a lot. That helped me sleep better with the mask so that I got used to it.

Exercise continues to help a lot.

[Lee Lee]

I knew when I stopped taking 3 hour naps every Saturday and Sunday. And when I could sit through an entire meeting at work and not feel paralyzed with the need to sleep.
I knew it was helping when I had enough energy to take a 3 mile walk. And when my constant pain went away.
These things happened only after I joined this community and learned how to monitor my data.
My first mask and machine were totally wrong for me, and my pressure was wrong, too, so I didnt understand why I didn't feel so great.
Keep on trying. Really work on it. Most people need some time to get it right.
All the best,
Lee Lee

[Snoredog]

[quote="carbonman"]that CPAP was helping you??

One week for me.
I haven't slept through the night, yet.
I haven't "felt like a millon dollars", yet.
My life hasn't changed over night, yet.

I am feeling a little better, overall.
One night, I slept for 3 hours, straight.
I still wake up every couple of hours, but I seem to be
going back to sleep faster.
I do seem to have more energy toward the end of the day.
I don't seem to have such a short fuse, it's better.

How or what did you realize/notice, that let you know
CPAP was helping you.

[Babette]

Rather than stressing out over why you're not sleeping longer, just KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

I found the general "scolding" tone of this board in regards to SLEEPING LONGER rather unhelpful when I first started, and experienced the same thing you are.

You just have to keep plugging away at it. Gradually you'll be sleeping longer and waking up less and less.

I do advocate making sure you've got the optimum mask, and that your machine is set optimally for your needs. Play with the settings. Try more HH or less. Try more Cflex or less. Try whatever you can think of.

I also use Benadryl sporadically to help me stay asleep longer and wake up less.

Good luck, and don't stress. You're doing fine. Just keep plugging away.

Cheers,
Barbara

[Needsdecaf]

1) I slept through tht enight without having to get up to pee.

2) I got mad at my mask one night, and decided not to use it. When I realized how crappy I slept without it, I realized how much it was helping me.

[silver123]

Been doing this for about six weeks How do I know CPAP is helping me?

I'm sleeping 8 to 8.5 hours a night, waking up once or twice to turn over. I'm not waking up gasping for air. I slept 8 + hrs that first night of the home titration for the first time in years and did not want to give back the machine. I knew it would save my life then.

I'm not falling asleep at work.

I'm not falling asleep in the evenings as soon as I try to watch TV or read.

I'm not falling asleep when I meditate.

I have energy to do things after work for the first time in forever. I'm moving beyond just surviving at a minimal level. I want to do things again, Play my guitars, read, study, see friends, cook, play.

I've stop feeling so damn despreate about how I am going to get through another exhausted, totally fatigued day. Instead, I 've the energy to do my job and I'm liking it.

I'm not feeling that wierd mix of wired but tired that is so draining all by itself.

I have the energy to exercise regularly again, something I have missed but could not maintain. I used to swim a mile a day. That's been awile.

I've lost 10 pounds cause I can maintain what it takes to eat healthfully instead of just making do with whatever.

My coworkers are commenting on the difference.

My eyes are clear and starting to twinkle a bit again.

I'm remembering how to laugh with more than bitter desperation.

Cuts are healing faster.

I'm regaining some respiratory tonicity. I can breath deeper and fuller.

I think I have less inflammation.

I'm not peeing a gazillion times a night. Not even once now.

My blood pressure is shifting and I hope it settles down soon.

My spouse comments on no more snoring and is enjoying better sleep because of it.

I'm not so scared due to that voice that kept wondering what was wrong with me. I know now and I can do things about it.

I know there is more to come, more health, more possibilites and I am looking forward to it.

[sleepydoll]

thanks for sharing your expérience with us... you are not alone !
The 18 million who have sleep apnea and started out mostly feeling like you....

" Mile High Sleeper Gal" is an excellent resource...
Check out her fascinating blog :
http://www.smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com/

...and as she so elegantly wrote:
Whether in the sleep lab or at home with a PAP machine, no one is used to sleeping as a masked hose-head with a vacuum cleaner blowing air up their nose. Managing resistance and fear is a big part of the process. Direct your power of control inward, to manage your thoughts and feelings as well as outward, to manage treatment. Be kind and gentle with yourself, disciplined and determined when necessary. Humor helps. Get support from others.

Related discussion thread: viewtopic/t22566/Normal-to-be-angry-whe ... nosed.html

Learn the Seven Stages of CPAP and What Is Feeling Good? at http://smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com/2 ... at-is.html


Hang in there with us !
Determine to succeed.

D.

[carbonman]

EVERYONE...

Thank you! Thank you!

I know it isn't going to happen over night.
I know that there is going to be trial and error.

I AM going to hang in there.
I AM going to take my life back.

I AM going to keep asking hosehead questions and
hope that you all will continue to bear w/me.

THANK YOU!!

[Snoredog]

EVERYONE...

Thank you! Thank you!

I know it isn't going to happen over night.
I know that there is going to be trial and error.

I AM going to hang in there.
I AM going to take my life back.

I AM going to keep asking hosehead questions and
hope that you all will continue to bear w/me.

THANK YOU!!

keep on trying is about all you can do, I would look into the Ramp feature on the machine and set it up for 30 minutes and use it, hit that button as many times as you like until you fall asleep.

I would also try ExcedrinPM or melatonin (3mg), if you try the melatonin take it 30 minutes before bed and give it a weeks try.

[alnhwrd]

Carbonman,

It looks like you are improving in many areas. Your last post shows exactly the attitude that is required to succeed, so keep it up, keep reading, and keep us posted. We are rooting for you!

[bigk]

In 6 months of use, averaging 8 hours per night, AHI of around 4, AI of <0.5 I have to say I feel no different.

My SP02 tells me I'm not having any de-sats but I really FEEL no different.

[Guest]

keep on trying is about all you can do,

Snoredog, I will keep on trying.

Pressure ramp 4 sleep 8
The mask is ok. I had it too tight, trying to use the
strap under my chin to hold my mouth shut.
I have pillows fitting pretty well and the ayr nasal oint. really helps.
I think that the skin and tissue around my nostrals is toughing up
and getting used to the pillows.
I got a regular chin strap.
Machine noise is a bother, but I think I'm getting used to it.

I have the melatonin. I have used it off and on for months.
I does help to get to sleep. Haven't used it since I got the mask.

I think what is waking me up is the mouth comes open
and the whistling starts. That is what was happening last night.
I will tighten the chin strap.

What is this business of using polident strips???
Sounds horrible.......but so did this mask the first time I put it on......so...
I can't tape, I have a mustache.

Thanks for the comments, suggestions and support.

[Babette]

Two chinstrap tips:

1) Try the Deluxe Chinstrap from cpap.com. It works really well for me. I got it after Rested Gal recommended it.

https://www.cpap.com/productSearch.php? ... +chinstrap

I wear it with just the back strap, not the front strap. I've sewn velcro one-wrap to it to hold my mask hoses, so I din't need to wear additional headgear. This won't work with a traditional mask, but it works with the NAII I wear:

http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p36/ ... aise/CPAP/

2) If you still get "lip flutter" or "cheek blowout", wrap a length of pantyhose leg around your mouth and the back of your head. RosemaryB recommends this, if you search on her name, you should find some examples posted.

Good luck!
B.

[ozij]

Hi Babs,
That was my first peak at the link you provided. Kudos on making everything so clear!

O.