Just Wanted to Say Hello

OldSeaRock · Post by **OldSeaRock** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 7:39 am

Howdy Pilgrim,

Good for you - these things work, don't they?

I'm still struggling a bit with the Breeze/Pillows setup but overall it's been a great blessing to me (BiPAP). I'm happy for you!

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 2:50 pm

Sleep Pilgrim wrote:I awoke feeling a bit tired but NOT bone-weary fatigued like usual. No brain fog. I actually found myself doing something I haven't done in many years--singing in the shower. I've also seen a reemergence of my sense of humor. It's almost like I've been an amnesiac and now I'm getting flashes of who I used to be. I saw this guy in the mirror and he was smiling. I remember him--I think. "Hey Will," he says. "Been a long time." I nod and tell him: "Yes, it has been. Welcome home old friend..."

You are one of the lucky few who seem to achieve an instant positive response to the treatment. For us (I'm also one) the overnight difference is astounding! It really drives home the benefits and makes compliance easy.

For me it has been just over 2 weeks since I started. I've had a couple of bad nights recently, but I was travelling on business with lots of stress and in a strange bed with hotel supplied pillows. Even the bad nights were better than I used to have before xPAP. And knowing how good it can be makes it easier to shrug it off and look forward to the next good night.

Almost every morning (except one or two this week) I've woken up thinking: "I feel so much better than yesterday; I must be almost back to normal now." And the next day the same thing happens again.

I guess it has been so long, I don't know what "normal" means anymore. I'm looking forward to rediscovering it and getting reacquainted with that guy in the mirror, just as I know you are.

Sleep well!

Sleep Pilgrim · Post by **Sleep Pilgrim** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 1:10 pm

Greetings all!

Well, I now have a few nights of cpaping under my belt and so far so good. Me and Morpheus (myth not Matrix) have become pretty tight. I was titrated at 6cm and my apap is set to range between 6 - 15 (I believe). I don't have the reader or software to access the smart card so I don't know the specifics of my nightly therapy. However, based on my daily experiences, I must be doing fine. On my first morning, when I checked the pressure it read 6. 2nd morning it read 7. 3rd, it read 11 (that surpised me but I did have nasal congestion that night). This morning it read 6.

I still feel tired when I wake up but no fatigue (hooray!) or brain fog. I stiil have to fiddle with my Breeze a few times during the night. Nothing really horrible about that but I'm going to check out the Swift tomorrow. I do like the Breeze and it works just fine, but being a back sleeper, I know there are better alternatives out there.

I feel more amiable these days. Chasing after my 4 year-old doesn't seem like such a great chore anymore. Speaking of, when my son asked about the mask, this is what I told him: For your papa, going to sleep is like being an explorer. You travel to strange, wonderful places and meet all kinds of excting people and creatures. I need special equipment before starting on my journey--like astronauts who need their space suits, or divers who need their scuba gear. I need this mask and the "air machine" to get me on my way. When he asked where he could get his own gear, I told him that most people don't need them to get to dreamland and that was a good thing. He looked at me and nodded wisely. And then said, "It also stops your snoring!"

I just feel "lighter" and more in the flow. My wife says she sees a big difference. I realize that this awareness of feeling better will fade in time as I adjust to this vaugely remembered state of "normalacy." I've reasoned that it's like the first days after the cessation of a long suffering pain. I'm filled with relief. I'm dancing with the euphoria of not suffering anymore. As I grow accustomed to it, I'm sure I will notice the gradual lessening of this "happy" state. That's not to say that I will have regressed to my former misery--it's just that in comparison to those first glorious days and weeks and months, I will have reached a "normalacy" with all of its attendent ups and downs.

Sure, I'm going to have bad nights and days. Who doesn't? But I'll be experiencing them without the complications of apnea.

So... I'm doing well. Feeling great. Enjoying my family once again. Isn't that what it's all about?

-Will

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 1:31 pm

Sleep Pilgrim,

If it's possible for someone's heart to be smiling, mine is after reading that post. No, you WILL be cognizant of the improvements in your energy level and how you're feeling as the days go on. It will only get better and better. The feeling of the fatigue disappearing was my first indication, too, that the therapy was working and it just got better from then on.

I am now into my third month of therapy and feel wonderful. When I talk about my therapy to people, I can't help but gush enthusiasm over how it has improved my life. Sounds like you're on your way there, too.

Absolutely adorable converation with your four-year-old. Sounds like you've got a great handle, too, on being a terrific dad. Your son will also reap the benefits of having a daddy with more energy and who feels so much healthier and rarin' to go.

Keep doing well. I am so happy for you.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:25 pm

Sleep Pilgrim wrote:I still feel tired when I wake up but no fatigue (hooray!) or brain fog.

I'm told that in time that even the "tired" will fade.

He looked at me and nodded wisely. And then said, "It also stops your snoring!"

Out of the mouths of babes!

I just feel "lighter" and more in the flow. My wife says she sees a big difference. I realize that this awareness of feeling better will fade in time as I adjust to this vaugely remembered state of "normalacy." I've reasoned that it's like the first days after the cessation of a long suffering pain. I'm filled with relief. I'm dancing with the euphoria of not suffering anymore. As I grow accustomed to it, I'm sure I will notice the gradual lessening of this "happy" state. That's not to say that I will have regressed to my former misery--it's just that in comparison to those first glorious days and weeks and months, I will have reached a "normalacy" with all of its attendent ups and downs.

Sure, I'm going to have bad nights and days. Who doesn't? But I'll be experiencing them without the complications of apnea.

Well said. And if we ever forget all we have to do is not bother with the xPAP for a bit to rediscover how really wonderful this treatment is.

So... I'm doing well. Feeling great. Enjoying my family once again. Isn't that what it's all about?

Without a doubt.