Wow... lilfe is changing..

[Eric_M]

Wow... as a newbie to being diagnosed with sleep apnea (a month ago) I am already noticing glimpse of the "old" me back at times. I always suspected I had sleep apnea due extreme snoring in all positions, but never really studied up on the disorder.

Life before CPAP:
I remember back a few years ago, I used to keep an immaculate, I mean cleaner than show room clean car... and did that since I was a kid. I always got a sense of satisfaction and state of euphoria from it. Well it slowly disappeared and got to where it just felt like I was wasting my time and now I have been lucky to wash my vehicle twice a year. I think the feeling of "wasting my time" was an excuse in my mind for "I just dont have the damned energy". I have worked hard since pre-teens having that first "paid" job (39 now and getting ready to retire USAF). I feel like I have always worked hard at work, but man when I would get home... totally a different story. I come home, sit on the computer wasting away life. The reality was, I just had no energy. For years I have not helped the wife out much with chores around the house..... I know...im a horrible person. The lawn she did, which she enjoys mowing.. I did do the other yard work though...weedeating, edging, trimmming.. etc etc.

Life After CPAP:
Although still not sleeping well... about 2 hours at a time 2-3 times a day, I am finding myself getting back to the old me. The difference seems unnoticeable. I am wanting to do stuff around the house more. Fighting with the wife to do the yard work (damn!). It was an amazing feeling this morning... a feeling I have not felt in years. Yesterday I washed my car... no big deal, it needed it bad! This morning I vacuumed it out and cleaned up the interior and had that old euphoria feeling again. While I was doing it, I was in awwwwwww of the feeling. Something I have not felt in atleast 5-6 years.

Since being on CPAP, it almost felt like it has not made much of a difference until this past saturday. Friday sleep night was a bad sleep night... continually fighting with the mask... just did not sleep good. When we woke up, I told the wife this was the feeling I used to have daily....hadnt even noticed the feeling had left until feeling it once again.... no energy whatsoever, none, zilch, notta!

Now that I have been rambling, the point I am trying to make is that there is a difference with CPAP, it changes you and you dont even know it.

Now it is time to quit yapping and go mow the lawn

[DarkSideOfTheMoon]

I'm happy for you!! I'm about the same time out as you on CPAP. I love the days with more energy and then fear the days that I am tired. I feel like the good ones are too good to be true and it was all a fluke. Then I remember that I just didn't sleep enough hours or I fought with the mask all night. Have fun and spread the word to people "who still suffer".

Cathy

[karessamom]

My husband noticed a big difference almost since day 1! it's really amazing! Before he was dxed last year his energy level seemed continually to drop, it was an effort for him--at first we just chalked it up to stress and that he worked too hard etc., but after her was dxed it made a ton of difference. I think this is very common! and hopefully for you like my husband things will continue to improve! Glad to hear you're feeling better.

[rubymom]

That's awesome Eric...imagine how much better it can still get from here on.

I'm about 3 months in and have also noticed some changes. There have been some chronic clutter-filled areas in my house that I just have never had the energy to deal with. Always just seemed like why bother--it will just get cluttered again. My car has been a total mess (thanks in many ways to my kids and our need to eat in the car on a regular basis). Now one by one I'm tackling those areas. And they're staying cleaned up. I'm loving it! Still have a few spots to go, but I'm feeling good about things.

Keep it up!!

[NaomiTa]

I'm waiting to get my tests read, appointment on Wednesday. Reading your comment and those of others is really giving me hope. I want my life back and the energy to clear my house, mental and physical. I'm about as far down as you can get without going over the edge.

[Sleepyheadgirl]

Wow............thanks to all above. I'm with you, NaomiTa. I can't wait either to get my life back, and have the energy, physical and mental, to deal with all those things that I used to do without even thinking. I'm beginning to see that there is hope after all!!!!!!!