When will I feel better?

[Lissalove7]

Just curious as to when you guys noticed a difference after starting your therapy. How long before you started getting your energy back and such? I could tell a difference right away. But, ever since I had this respiratory virus it seems I can't even tell that I have been using my CPAP machine really

[Pad A Cheek]

Hey the successful treatment usually begins the first night that you strap on that mask and try to sleep better. But as far as really feeling better, there is an adjustment period that can last for over a month. You are asking your face and lungs to experience a new kind of sleep. It takes time to adjust.
I would say if you get over your infection, and try to use your CPAP every night for as long as you can with a possitive attitude, you will begin to notice little improvements. The first thing I noticed was that I was not getting up to go to the bathroom several times a night. Now I never get up to go, I sleep through the night every night. The other thing you may notice is that you are not as sleepy so early in the evening. Look for the little things that are better, they will help you keep going. Before you know it you will be adjusted and getting much better sleep. Then the brain will be clearer, to me that was the greatest reward.
After 5 years at it now, I love my CPAP and do not think about sleeping unless I have it near. It is second nature to me now.

You can get there, and there are many people here to help you be successful. Just ask questions as you have them and we will all try to help you.

Good luck,

Karen

[KevinMWHM]

Looking back to my first night, it was identical to what you describe. But I think we would be better to describe it not as an instant cure. Instead, I look at it now as an eye opener to just how poorly I was sleeping prior.

I've been keeping small notes to track my progress.

Try keeping track of how many times you yawn in one day. If you're like me, you've no doubt had many points in the day where you've had a virtual cloud of exhaustion come over you. Try to count how many times a day that happens now. I also try to keep track of chores. Much to my Wife's delight, I'm up to one extra load of laundry brought upstairs (double my previous amount!) and the dirty dishes only sit for about 3 days now instead of the mandatory "just-throw-em-out-and-buy-new-ones".


edit to add;
the following is a great post that I found described that first wall everyone seems to hit about a week or two into treatment...
viewtopic/t38567/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=38 ... 46#p335746

[georgepds]

Just curious as to when you guys noticed a difference after starting your therapy. How long before you started getting your energy back and such? I could tell a difference right away. But, ever since I had this respiratory virus it seems I can't even tell that I have been using my CPAP machine really

I noticed a few time scales

Short term (within a week) , I'd fell really energized after a night on Cpap... that has disappeared

Long term ( a few months) , I noticed I did not fell like falling asleep at the wheel on the long commute home

More recently (about a year) .. I've started sleeping the whole night through and once again need an alarm clock to get up in the morning..

[Violet]

Before CPAP, I had been waking up and turning from side to side about 5 times a night and getting up to pee. Immediately and since starting, sometimes, maybe, roll over once.

Before CPAP, I wished I could put cruise control on ME, so I could sleep while walking to and from the office. Now, 2 months later, ya... I still don't have a full week of energized walking like I did a year ago before I started feeling lousy, but maybe 2 days out of 5 are good.

Two months later, I still get tiried around 2:00 at the office, but on the weekends now I can do my house chores again and not crash from exhaustion like as I did before.

[Eric228]

Hi Lissa,

do you still have breathing difficulties during the day?

Eric

[Trinity101]

Well, I only started in the middle of March, but I am still getting up a lot for the bathroom- and still rarely get three hours of sleep at one time. I still change positions frequently- but that is more due to pain issues from arthritis, I think. I Do feel more rested, even so. I just think that in my case, working shift work(graveyards) for 35 years ruined my sleep clock so much that I don't know if I will ever sleep a whole night. Anyone have any insight on this?
~joan