Hello, Gang. I'm a newbie...and have been diligently reading your posts so I can manage my own care....but I do wonder...on average...how long til I get 'me' back? My emotions are flat...I'm sure I'm depressed to some extent...brain fog, short term memory is off. Just not my efficient self! I'm sure you all can relate.
I've heard things are better after being on CPAP for a month...some say 3 months...some longer. What can I reasonably expect? I need a light at the end of the tunnel estimate! I've been on CPAP for about 7 weeks now.
Thanks for all you do!
T.
How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
"Knowledge is power."
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
It depends on a lot of things.
To name a few:
How long you've had sleep apnea. (you have a "sleep debt" to pay back to your body)
Your attitude.
Whether or not you have the proper pressure.
Whether or not you're leaking air out your mouth while you sleep. (I notice you have a nasal mask in your profile)
This therapy is "baby steps". Take it a night at a time.
However, at seven weeks, you should be seeing SOME improvement
Den
To name a few:
How long you've had sleep apnea. (you have a "sleep debt" to pay back to your body)
Your attitude.
Whether or not you have the proper pressure.
Whether or not you're leaking air out your mouth while you sleep. (I notice you have a nasal mask in your profile)
This therapy is "baby steps". Take it a night at a time.
However, at seven weeks, you should be seeing SOME improvement
Den
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
Depends on how many brain cells you killed off before someone found out you had OSA.
I am kidding of course, sort of!! It does vary with each of us and how good our therapy is. Took me about 6 months for the fog to lift but it did get better each day. Hope you will be one of those that comes out of it very fast.
Jerry
I am kidding of course, sort of!! It does vary with each of us and how good our therapy is. Took me about 6 months for the fog to lift but it did get better each day. Hope you will be one of those that comes out of it very fast.
Jerry
_________________
| Humidifier: HC150 Heated Humidifier With Hose, 2 Chambers and Stand |
| Additional Comments: 11cm/H2O, Encore Pro 1.8i, Pro Analyzer, Encore Viewer1.0 - 3 Remstar Pro2's, 1 Remstar Auto |
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting: "Wow what a ride!"
I still play Cowboys and Bad Guys but now I use real bullets. CAS
I still play Cowboys and Bad Guys but now I use real bullets. CAS
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
Thanks, Den and Jerry...(wow..now I'm thinking about ice cream! ) I think I've had sleep apnea for about 1 and a half years. My attitude is good...as in...I know my machine is my life line and I am grateful for it. I am working on my third mask...still haven't found the one...although I used the nasal pillows for the first time last night and it seems to work fine. It's just frustrating because if I have a bad night or two I feel like I'm back at square one in the bad mood department.
I guess that's enough whining for now. Surely it will get better...so thanks for your responses.
T.
I guess that's enough whining for now. Surely it will get better...so thanks for your responses.
T.
"Knowledge is power."
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
SleepyT, all those things Wulfman said.SleepyT wrote:Hello, Gang. I'm a newbie...and have been diligently reading your posts so I can manage my own care....but I do wonder...on average...how long til I get 'me' back? My emotions are flat...I'm sure I'm depressed to some extent...brain fog, short term memory is off. Just not my efficient self! I'm sure you all can relate.
Thanks for all you do! T.
It all depends.
You need to become your own best therapist.
Once you get YOUR therapy dialed in, it will come.
I just had my 1yr anniversary. I notice changes almost daily.
All the things you listed, emotions, brain fog, short term memory, energy.......
too many things to list.....all good, all coming back.
I am not the same person I was a year ago.
Welcome! All the best for you as your cpap journey begins.
"If your therapy is improving your health but you're not doing anything
to see or feel those changes, you'll never know what you're capable of."
I said that.
to see or feel those changes, you'll never know what you're capable of."
I said that.
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
Thanks, Carbonman. The jist of it, then, so far anyway...seems to be it'll be better in several more months! I will try to be more patient. Thanks for the input.
"Knowledge is power."
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
SleepyT,
In my opinion, it isn't something that you wait for in hopes that it will happen, it is something you do.
First you have to closely examine all the things Den (Wulfman) and the others mentioned to make SURE you have evidence that your PAP therapy is as effective as it can be.
Then you have to watch yourself and listen to yourself enough to recognize when you have made a little progress so that you can do what you have to in order to invest that in things that will increase your progress. When you find yourself with an ounce more energy or focus, for example, you grab onto it and ask yourself what you are going to DO with it, how are going to invest any energy or focus you get?
That is important because sleep apnea may have taken away our drive and our ability to do things like improving our diets, our sleep habits, our level of exercise, etc, for years. So once we get back the smallest amount of that drive and ability, we have to use all that to do the things we have to with our way of life to make the improvements that need to be made.
It is amazing how things can change. For example, I just went to see the dental hygienist a few weeks ago, and she can't believe I'm the same person she saw a year ago. She kept raving about how my gums were pink and healthy and all the pockets around my teeth were gone, and then she interrogated me about what had changed. It wasn't anything different in my brushing or my flossing. I explained that I had gotten treatment for my severe obstructive sleep apnea and how I now sleep with my mouth closed all night so saliva gets to my gums and now I get oxygen in my blood and restorative sleep from PAP therapy. Of course, my diet and exercise habits have improved too along with that, so that is just one example of the many ways things can improve over time.
That being said, feeling the full emotional benefits DOES take some time. Effective therapy can help to change your body and brain chemistry to the point that the sky looks bluer and the grass looks greener and the birds sound sweeter, but you have to focus on those things enough to notice. And you can't just ask yourself if you feel better than you did yesterday or last week--you have to think of terms of whether you feel better compared to three months ago, or six months ago, or longer, and then pat yourself on the back for any slight improvements as you run with it.
Some feel better right away. Some don't feel it for months. Some feel great for a while then have setbacks for a while before things even out. It can be a roller-coaster ride, as some have mentioned on this board. But getting better sleep and enough oxygen in your blood overnight is a good thing, if you have the evidence that is happening, and it can only make things better, not worse. So keep breathing and sleeping, and look for every indication that things ARE getting better as you look for ways to make sure that happens.
Hang in there!
jeff
In my opinion, it isn't something that you wait for in hopes that it will happen, it is something you do.
First you have to closely examine all the things Den (Wulfman) and the others mentioned to make SURE you have evidence that your PAP therapy is as effective as it can be.
Then you have to watch yourself and listen to yourself enough to recognize when you have made a little progress so that you can do what you have to in order to invest that in things that will increase your progress. When you find yourself with an ounce more energy or focus, for example, you grab onto it and ask yourself what you are going to DO with it, how are going to invest any energy or focus you get?
That is important because sleep apnea may have taken away our drive and our ability to do things like improving our diets, our sleep habits, our level of exercise, etc, for years. So once we get back the smallest amount of that drive and ability, we have to use all that to do the things we have to with our way of life to make the improvements that need to be made.
It is amazing how things can change. For example, I just went to see the dental hygienist a few weeks ago, and she can't believe I'm the same person she saw a year ago. She kept raving about how my gums were pink and healthy and all the pockets around my teeth were gone, and then she interrogated me about what had changed. It wasn't anything different in my brushing or my flossing. I explained that I had gotten treatment for my severe obstructive sleep apnea and how I now sleep with my mouth closed all night so saliva gets to my gums and now I get oxygen in my blood and restorative sleep from PAP therapy. Of course, my diet and exercise habits have improved too along with that, so that is just one example of the many ways things can improve over time.
That being said, feeling the full emotional benefits DOES take some time. Effective therapy can help to change your body and brain chemistry to the point that the sky looks bluer and the grass looks greener and the birds sound sweeter, but you have to focus on those things enough to notice. And you can't just ask yourself if you feel better than you did yesterday or last week--you have to think of terms of whether you feel better compared to three months ago, or six months ago, or longer, and then pat yourself on the back for any slight improvements as you run with it.
Some feel better right away. Some don't feel it for months. Some feel great for a while then have setbacks for a while before things even out. It can be a roller-coaster ride, as some have mentioned on this board. But getting better sleep and enough oxygen in your blood overnight is a good thing, if you have the evidence that is happening, and it can only make things better, not worse. So keep breathing and sleeping, and look for every indication that things ARE getting better as you look for ways to make sure that happens.
Hang in there!
jeff
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
How apnea has mangled our minds, bodies, and lives varies and recovery comes as it comes.
For me it was sorta in this order: 1st night no more peeing 8-10 times (gone gone gone thank you very much ), exhaustion became plain old tired in a month or so and I stopped falling asleep at work and in the evenings, 'depressed' mood became less so and my hyper-irritability and tolerance for stress improved (my associates were so grateful my nasty tongue was tamed ), my thinking improved which I noticed in a few months (alas my short-term memory still sucks but it's better than it was...4x6 colored index cards and sticky notes are now my 'best friends'), social activities became less chore and actually interesting in a few more months as long as I could sit on the sidelines and watch forget participating, my narrow focus began to expand and I began reading again, my energy levels didn't start to improve until I hit the 9th month and then I was able to exercise more than a few minutes before pain & muscle cramping set in. Somewhere during this time birds singing in the morning became pleasant not annoying, I began to smile again, my sense of humor came back, I dreamed at night, I woke up refreshed and alert, I started cooking again. All in time, slowly, steadily. My docs said they've had patients go a year before they experienced much improvement so I am pleased I wasn't one of those poor folks! I've lost 52#s and I continue to slowly lose, I do low-intensity 45-60 mins sessions every day in my exercise bike which I never thought I'd ever be able to do again.
It's been nearly 2 yrs for me and I still see improvements so it tells me my therapy could be more effective. I'm so glad I found this forum as I'm learning what is I need to learn to get the most benefit from xPAP therapy.
Just gotta have some faith and as has been oft quoted "persistence"
For me it was sorta in this order: 1st night no more peeing 8-10 times (gone gone gone thank you very much ), exhaustion became plain old tired in a month or so and I stopped falling asleep at work and in the evenings, 'depressed' mood became less so and my hyper-irritability and tolerance for stress improved (my associates were so grateful my nasty tongue was tamed ), my thinking improved which I noticed in a few months (alas my short-term memory still sucks but it's better than it was...4x6 colored index cards and sticky notes are now my 'best friends'), social activities became less chore and actually interesting in a few more months as long as I could sit on the sidelines and watch forget participating, my narrow focus began to expand and I began reading again, my energy levels didn't start to improve until I hit the 9th month and then I was able to exercise more than a few minutes before pain & muscle cramping set in. Somewhere during this time birds singing in the morning became pleasant not annoying, I began to smile again, my sense of humor came back, I dreamed at night, I woke up refreshed and alert, I started cooking again. All in time, slowly, steadily. My docs said they've had patients go a year before they experienced much improvement so I am pleased I wasn't one of those poor folks! I've lost 52#s and I continue to slowly lose, I do low-intensity 45-60 mins sessions every day in my exercise bike which I never thought I'd ever be able to do again.
It's been nearly 2 yrs for me and I still see improvements so it tells me my therapy could be more effective. I'm so glad I found this forum as I'm learning what is I need to learn to get the most benefit from xPAP therapy.
Just gotta have some faith and as has been oft quoted "persistence"
ResMed S9 range 9.8-17, RespCare Hybrid FFM
Never, never, never, never say never.
Never, never, never, never say never.
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BlackSpinner
- Posts: 9742
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:44 pm
- Location: Edmonton Alberta
- Contact:
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
According to my sleep doc it can take some peoples brains more then a month to accept the fact that you will not die if you sleep deeply. And if you don't sleep deeply enough for REM sleep you don't get the full benefit of the therapy.
I was one of the lucky ones that noticed a big difference right a way.
I was one of the lucky ones that noticed a big difference right a way.
_________________
| Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine |
| Additional Comments: Quatro mask for colds & flus S8 elite for back up |
71. The lame can ride on horseback, the one-handed drive cattle. The deaf, fight and be useful. To be blind is better than to be burnt on the pyre. No one gets good from a corpse. The Havamal
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
Just to emphasize a point Den (Wulfman) wrote earlier....The Swift LT and similar nasal masks are quite enticing to newbies because they are so incredibly minimalistic. When I started my cpap therapy, I was absolutely certain that I did not mouth breathe or leak while sleeping. I was flat wrong. Do try taping your mouth for a few nights with blue delicate-surface painters tape at your comfortable and/or prescribed pressure (use the search box to find clear instructions in numerous threads). I'm betting you will see a big difference in your numbers.
DeVilbiss IntelliPap Std Plus with Smartflex; Transcend miniCPAP & Everest2 w/humidifier & batt for travel. UltraMirage FFM; PadACheeks; PaPillow. Using straight CPAP at 13.0/passover humidifier. AHI consistently < 1.5. Began CPAP 9/4/08.
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
[quote="SleepyT"]
I've heard things are better after being on CPAP for a month...some say 3 months...some longer. What can I reasonably expect? I need a light at the end of the tunnel estimate! I've been on CPAP for about 7 weeks now. (quote]
Hi SleepyT
You have had some pretty wonderful, encouraging and interesting replies, which I think will be helpful to most of us, newcomers or not.
I am still a newcomer, but I have one thought to add to all the above. With the xpap machine we can usually get low AHi, so we are getting quality sleep. What I have found with myself is that I am often not getting enough sleep, so I am still tired most of the time. When I get about 9 hours on the machine, (usually in 3 sessions), I wake up with my thinking clearer than usual, and can sometime not need a nap about tea time (5-7pm).
So it is not only the quality of sleep that affects our recovery, it is the amount of quality sleep that we need, and sometimes are not getting.
In general terms I guess this is known as sleep hygiene, and for myself I still have some way to go in this. Ever since I broke a rib about 3 years ago I have been unable to get to sleep much before 3am, and if I wake up from about 9am onwards that is it for the night. So my personal sleep hygiene means getting to sleep earlier, and having the amount of quality sleep that I need. I currently have another broken rib, plus lower back fractures, so there are some difficulties here.
All this may have nothing to do with what is happening to you, but is probably worth considering.
Hope you sort it out.
cheers
Mars
I've heard things are better after being on CPAP for a month...some say 3 months...some longer. What can I reasonably expect? I need a light at the end of the tunnel estimate! I've been on CPAP for about 7 weeks now. (quote]
Hi SleepyT
You have had some pretty wonderful, encouraging and interesting replies, which I think will be helpful to most of us, newcomers or not.
I am still a newcomer, but I have one thought to add to all the above. With the xpap machine we can usually get low AHi, so we are getting quality sleep. What I have found with myself is that I am often not getting enough sleep, so I am still tired most of the time. When I get about 9 hours on the machine, (usually in 3 sessions), I wake up with my thinking clearer than usual, and can sometime not need a nap about tea time (5-7pm).
So it is not only the quality of sleep that affects our recovery, it is the amount of quality sleep that we need, and sometimes are not getting.
In general terms I guess this is known as sleep hygiene, and for myself I still have some way to go in this. Ever since I broke a rib about 3 years ago I have been unable to get to sleep much before 3am, and if I wake up from about 9am onwards that is it for the night. So my personal sleep hygiene means getting to sleep earlier, and having the amount of quality sleep that I need. I currently have another broken rib, plus lower back fractures, so there are some difficulties here.
All this may have nothing to do with what is happening to you, but is probably worth considering.
Hope you sort it out.
cheers
Mars
for an an easier, cheaper and travel-easy sleep apnea treatment 
http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t7020 ... rapy-.html
http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t7020 ... rapy-.html
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
Just returned from a weekend away and found all your wonderful posts. Jeff, Muse-Inc., BlackSpinner, plr66, and Mars...THANK YOU all for taking time out of your days to write back. I gleaned a nugget or two (or three!) out of every one of your blogs. I find I am a bit obsessed with learning as much as I can about OSA (probably to the dismay of my family and friends)...but with you guys I know I have comrads who clearly understand all the issues apnea brings to the table. I am going to print off your comments and suggestions and read them again because there was so much great info in them...don't want to gloss over any of it!
I hope to be less whiney as time goes on...and more of a help to future newbies. Reading your stories has helped tremendously. Thanks again! (Patience, patience...)
T.
I hope to be less whiney as time goes on...and more of a help to future newbies. Reading your stories has helped tremendously. Thanks again! (Patience, patience...)
T.
"Knowledge is power."
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
I didn't find your post to be whiney. But whiney is allowed here. And expected, for that matter. We've all been whiney at some point, I think; at least, I know I have. If we can't be whiney with our fellow patients, who can we be whiney with, right?SleepyT wrote: . . . I hope to be less whiney as time goes on . . .
I am sure your post helped as many people as our answers to your post did. Helping one another is what this board is about, I've found.
Keep posting!
jeff
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
SleepyT,
I noticed that you are in Virginia. If you are in the Richmond area, PM me if you would like some face to face encouragement. We could get a small group together.
Bev
I noticed that you are in Virginia. If you are in the Richmond area, PM me if you would like some face to face encouragement. We could get a small group together.
Bev
Diagnosed 9/4/07
Sleep Study Titrated to 19 cm H2O
Rotating between Activa and Softgel
11/2/07 RemStar M Series Auto with AFlex 14-17
10/17/08 BiPAP Auto SV 13/13-23, BPM Auto, AHI avg <1
Sleep Study Titrated to 19 cm H2O
Rotating between Activa and Softgel
11/2/07 RemStar M Series Auto with AFlex 14-17
10/17/08 BiPAP Auto SV 13/13-23, BPM Auto, AHI avg <1
Re: How Long Til I Get My Brain Back?
When you're feeling dreadful, the line comes to mind, "God, grant me patience, and grant it now!"SleepyT wrote:Thanks, Carbonman. The jist of it, then, so far anyway...seems to be it'll be better in several more months! I will try to be more patient. Thanks for the input.
Wulfman's observations are top mark.
We all want to feel better... yesterday.
_________________
| Mask: TAP PAP Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Improved Stability Mouthpiece |
| Additional Comments: Sleepyhead software, not listed. Currently using Dreamstation ASV, not listed |
-- Kiralynx
Beastie, 2008-10-28. NEW Beastie, PRS1 960, 2014-05-14. NEWER Beastie, Dream Station ASV, 2017-10-17. PadaCheek Hosecover. Homemade Brandy Keg Chin Support. TapPap Mask.
Min PS = 4, Max PS = 8
Epap Range = 6 - 7.5
Beastie, 2008-10-28. NEW Beastie, PRS1 960, 2014-05-14. NEWER Beastie, Dream Station ASV, 2017-10-17. PadaCheek Hosecover. Homemade Brandy Keg Chin Support. TapPap Mask.
Min PS = 4, Max PS = 8
Epap Range = 6 - 7.5