How long does it take from a newbie

[lorri214]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Yesterday my CPAP was delivered. I couldn't wait to use it since I have not had a good night's sleep for a long time! I know some times it takes a while to get used to it. I didn't sleep any better than before I had this machine. How long does it take before you get a good night's sleep? I don't know all of the terminology everyone is using. Someone said something about getting a reading. I don't believe I have that on my machine because I think the therapist who delivered would have explained that. I have a REMSTAR A-FLEX M series PR w/ SD Card??? This means nothing to me. I like the idea of getting a reading of how you are doing. Please, if anyone out there has any advice clue me in. I am hoping this CPAP will help me to get a better quality of sleep, but when. Please forgive me for being impatient.

[dave21]

Hi Lorri214, glad to see you're getting your first start on CPAP treatment.

You asked how long it takes before you get a good night. Well sleep deprivation takes time to catch up, so it does kind of depend on how long you've had sleep apnea for. For most they start to see a difference after a week or two, some see it after a day or two.

The classic differences you will see is probably not getting up 2-3 times a night to go to the toilet (if you do that every night), and also feeling more awake in the day. You might still yawn if you are a little tired, that's natural, but you won't be dozing off in the day or at lunch break or early evenings once you have good CPAP treatment.

I'll let others chime in who have the REMSTAR machines as I have a different manufacturer machine, and they might be able to help you a little more. The SD card is there for writing your sleep data to that your sleep doctor may want to look at periodically and if you purchase software then you might be able to read it yourself. Most machines usually allow you to see your AHI, AI or HI. AHI is the hourly rate of events (Apneas and Hypopneas). Apneas are the times you stop breathing for, e.g. for 10+ seconds. Hypopneas are partial events where you almost stopped breathing for. So AHI = AI + HI. So if you have a sleep study and you're told that you have an AHI of 50, then in an 8 hour sleep you've had around 400 events. That might sound a little scary to start with, but if you can tolerate the treatment you'll find yourself feeling a lot better. Later on you will look back and think "oh man, I was so tired" or "I couldn't get out of bed in the morning".

The real important ones are the AI because that's the amount of times you stop breathing per hour, and these are the ones that make you feel more worse and tired although the HI's do contribute too.

[Marietjie]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea

Lorri - Welcome newbie! - go to viewtopic.php?f=1&t=49225 - it shows you how to register your equipment.

How long does it take before you get a good night's sleep?

It depends...if you are lucky to have the right equipment, well I suppose it can happen overnight! but many of us struggle in the beginning with pressure, humidifier settings, mouth breathing, wrong mask - but, please don't let this put you off - it is worth the struggle ! ! ! Good Luck, you are at the right place if you want answers for all your questions.

[lorri214]

Well, this night 4 with my CPAP, and I am sleeping worse than before I had it. I cannot keep the CPAP on all night because I cannot get comfortable. I had high hopes for this CPAP. Was imagining the great sleep I would be getting. I know it is only the fourth night, but I am getting worried that the CPAP will not work for me. Could I be doing something wrong? I have the nasal headpiece and I believe it is on correctly. How long should I wait before I know for sure if CPAP will help me????

[sleepyinstlouis]

It might help if you update your profile to see what you have so we can offer advice and help. Trust me, I was glad I came here last year and while I don't post a lot here, I do lurk/browse and learn a lot of new things.

I started with the ComfortGel Nasal mask and just recently switched over to the Swift LT for Her nasal pillows. When I first started my therapy I went 4 nights with no sleep and had a breakdown at work that sent me home. This resulted in a prescription for Ambien and over the months I gradually weaned myself off the Ambien until I'm going about 1-2 times a month taking it, mostly at extremely high stress times. All in all, it took me about 2 months to get a good night's sleep without feeling like I'd been hit by a truck the night before. YMMV though.

[melissa1974]

Hi-
Welcome! I am sorry that you are having such a rough start with your CPAP treatment. I can understand how disappointed and frustrated you must be, after looking forward to finally sleeping well and now having so much more to deal with on top of still not getting any sleep. Please trust me when I tell you that it will get better if you stick with it. The first thing that would be quite helpful would be for you to fill out your profile with the type of machine and mask that you are using. That way, other people on this forum who are using the same equipment will be able to give you very specific tips on how to make those work as well as possible for you. You will be amazed at the amount of caring, and sheer knowledge available on this forum.
I have only been using my machine for about a month and a half, and like you, I had several very difficult nights in the beginning. However, I stuck with it, and I am sleeping very well now. I am certain the same will happen for you! When I was diagnosed, my AHI was 96, which means that I stopped breathing an average of 96 times every hour while I was sleeping. In an average 8 hour night, that is close to 800 times!! My oxygen levels were below 70% most of the night, which is terrifying, and put me at a very high risk of cardiac arrest and stroke. Now, just a month and half later, my AHI ranges each night between 0.0 and 0.7! That means that while wearing my mask and using my machine, I only stop breathing LESS THAN ONCE AN HOUR. (Anything under 5 is considered "normal.") I also recently checked my oxygen levels and they remained at 98-99% all night long. That's a tremendous change, and one that I fully believe has saved my life, and again, it has all happened in a month and a half.
So, please, I know that you are having a tough time right now, but stick with it. Post your equipment so people here can help you. I am certain that someone here will know what to say to help you figure out what you need to do to make your CPAP work for you!
Stick with it. Keep posting. Keep reading. Good luck!!

[SleepyJim77]

I came home from my sleeep study/fitting this morning. Even with the wires and the mask on, I got the greatest nights sleep! I'm very optimistic about going forward. My advice to you is to read the postings here, ensure you are getting the most resources you can from your sleep apnea doctor, seek out local support groups, have a positive attitude that this "is" the solution, ask questons (like in this forum), and, a little prayer can't hurt.

I was given the Swift FX Pillows System and my machine is a REMstar Plus C-Flex. I don't know much about it yet but, plan to. I think it is imortant to know all the terminology and tools you are using. The mask is super comfortable.

Good luck and I will include you in my prayers too.

By the way, I was told I did not snore at all. My wife will like that!

[melissa1974]

The mask is super comfortable.

That's great to hear!! You have a terrific attitude and I so happy for you! Congrats on starting out on your new healthy life!

[tattooyu]

I came home from my sleeep study/fitting this morning. Even with the wires and the mask on, I got the greatest nights sleep! I'm very optimistic about going forward. My advice to you is to read the postings here, ensure you are getting the most resources you can from your sleep apnea doctor, seek out local support groups, have a positive attitude that this "is" the solution, ask questons (like in this forum), and, a little prayer can't hurt.

I was given the Swift FX Pillows System and my machine is a REMstar Plus C-Flex. I don't know much about it yet but, plan to. I think it is imortant to know all the terminology and tools you are using. The mask is super comfortable.

Good luck and I will include you in my prayers too.

By the way, I was told I did not snore at all. My wife will like that!

That's great. The only thing I would say is go back and demand a machine that is data-capable, i.e., does NOT have "Plus" or "Escape" in the name. You want something that says "Pro" or "Elite". That way you can check your data to see if the therapy is optimized and working.