Lose ground if I take a night off?

[PapaMark]

[quote="OldLincoln"]OK, all those who have been on the hose for over a year and have never taken a night off - for ANY reason raise your hand!

My hand is raised.

When I first started the whole testing bit, I did so to satisfy my wife. Looking at me sleeping during the night and the results with the apnea events (35.53 per hour) was frightening to watch. So I started using the machine, as uncomfortable as it was, and except for a few nights at the beginning when I was sick and could not use the nasal mask (I am full face now), I use it all the time.

I tried taking naps without it. Why bother. I use it then too.

On flights, it is sort of difficult so I suffer without it.

My wife continues to be amazed. She keeps telling me that she never thought I would agree to the testing, let alone using the machine. And my usage is 100%. That is an unequivocal statement. It is not brag, just fact.

Because once you start using a CPAP machine and feel the benefits, or maybe it is get addicted to the benefits, you won't stop using it. In fact, when I finish typing this, I think I am going to go get my next fix.

Pleasant dreams ...

Mark

[Grems4ever]

As one newbie to another, don't start skipping nights. Skipping one night will eventually lead to skipping two nights and then on and on. Since a good mask is key to therapy, I encourage you to try some of the other masks before deciding to give up. I spent the first month fighting with one mask or another until I found someone at the DME to actually sit and talk with me about what I needed. I must have tried on a dozen different masks until we got a fit we both liked. Make sure they use a sizing template and not just "eyeball" the proper size - they were trying to use a large mask on me when a small to medium was more appropriate. I went from a large UMFF (which was driving me insane) to a medium Quattro which has been a dream.

By the way - even though the UMFF was a nightmare, I am 100% compliant for the month and 1/2 that I've been using CPAP. I'm currently working on how to power my CPAP machine on Scout camp outs because I will NOT go without therapy. While my energy levels are still not up as much as I'd like, the quality of sleep I now get is so much better that I'll not give that up for anything.

David

[john_dozer]

I'm a newbie and have only been able to use my machine a few hours a night. I'm not sleeping well with it. If I take a night off (to catch up on sleep) will my body be starting from square one again as far as trying to get accustomed to it? I'm waiting for a chinstrap to come in, and my therapy isn't doing any good because the air is going out my mouth. I've been taping in the meantime.

Get a FFM if the tape isn't enough or uncomfortable. Since its coming, give the strap a try, but for me the strap kept my jaw shut, but air just blew through my lips anyway.

Sounds like you're becoming apprehensive about having a mask at all. If you're having trouble getting use to the mask, try wearing it during the day for an extended period, machine and all.

[SharkBait]

OK, all those who have been on the hose for over a year and have never taken a night off - for ANY reason raise your hand!

I agree that one should not take a night off just for the heck of it, but I believe there are exceptions. I for instance had a sore throat and the air blowing past it put me into a fit of coughing. I took the cough syrup, etc but the throat was raw and getting more raw so I skipped a night - so what.

I also recognize some could expire without it even for 1 night, but I don't believe the same degree of risk applies to everyone. However, I offer an alternative to our OP, talktobon.

Fatigue can lead to serious consequences, even those that CPAP is intended to prevent such as falling asleep while driving etc., and illness. Since you have a weekend I suggest you nap for an hour or so, with someone to monitor you. I don't mean hover with a mirror under your nose, but close enough to hear you breath. If you snore, so much the better. Think of it like uhh... having protection to avoid unintended consequences if you get my drift and make fun of it. It is important to catch up on sleep before you hurt yourself or others.

Good luck.

Apples and oranges. I've only gone 4 weeks and I could take a night off tonight and then go another 365 days straight on CPAP. I would also be miserable all night without it I'm sure. But there's a big difference between someone acclimated and somewhat "addicted" to CPAP and someone struggling with it who is in those crucial first few nights that determine whether they are going to succeed with this therapy or join the masses that slip into denial and just move the stuff to the closet.

Big difference.

Early on my best therapy and times when I was making the most strides was when I was "dog tired". The more tired you get, the more apt you are to sleep. And once you start getting good sleep, then the dependency starts to build, which is a good thing.

[talktobon]

I'm one of those people who wasn't tired before I got treatment. So now, I am seeing no benefits to the therapy, because I am tired now, and wasn't before. The ENT has also told me I need to have ear and possibly nose surgery since my ear tubes are getting plugged up. I don't want to do that due to other health issues. I'm trying out the neti pot and it's helping.

Actually, I really like my nasal mask--it's very comfortable. That doesn't scare me. I hope my new papcap chinstrap does the trick so I don't have to switch masks. My problem isn't that my chin drops, but my lips open because I wear a mouthguard to prevent grinding. Never thought that would be a problem, but it is! Hopefully I can modify the strap to help that. I felt like an old man trying the FFM in the sleep lab, and the nasal pilows hurt my nose within the 2 minutes I had it on to demo.