47 days in, and feeling hopeful

[fuzzyjon]

I've asked some questions and gotten lots of useful advice on this forum, so perhaps you all would be interested in an update.

It has been 47 days since I got on the hose, and things seem to be going pretty well.

How do I feel? Most days are pretty good, some are not so good, but on the whole, I feel better than I did pre-CPAP. I still often feel like my brain is "fuzzy", but hopefully that will recede as I recharge my sleep bank.

The biggest challenge has been fine-tuning equipment. I've found the following works best for me: Mouth-taping (with micropore tape), a PAPCap to keep my jaw from pulling at the tape when relaxed, and the hose draped from a hook in the wall over my pillow.

I am not able to sleep well on my side with the Opus 360, and I'm not too fond of taping, so I will be experimenting with different masks over time. It's good to know that I can always fall back to a working setup.

Getting access to my machine's data has helped a great deal - here are my data for the last five days (which are pretty typical of data from the past month or so):

[Pugsy]

All I can say is well done and I am green with envy.
Good job.

[harry33]

good for you, it took 90 dasys before I could use my CPAP every night

[Hawthorne]

You, my friend, are doing VERY well!! I hope you soon feel as good as your data suggests you will!

[JayC]

I am 320 days farther in than you.....and can say that improvement may/ does continue. Depending on how long you were untreated (better than 30 years for me) and whether or not you were suffering ozygen desaturations as well as the adrenaline spikes and such to wake up and breathe, it may take much time to untrain the psychological stuff associated with dangerous sleep, and undo, where possible, the physical damage by getting the rest, air, and restoration we are intended to get in sleep.

Please keep hopeful......it is appropriate, helpful, and good.
Glad you are following your numbers and looking to optimize you therapy. Also know that sometimes things might seem to not be improving.....that doesn't mean your are doing anything wrong...... so many variables....

J

[kteague]

Congrats on getting off to a good start. I don't know what your expected leak rate is for your mask and pressure, but those are some straight lines! Hope your mask search is productive. Over the past 3 years I've found 3 that I thought would be remain my favorite, but then I'd like the next one even better. You're right, it is good to know what does work just in case a new (ad)venture is a bust. Congrats again.
Kathy