Thoughts of the almost post Newbie

[LoneRider]

As with many people, life for me has been pretty busy, and of course the official baby counter is 6 weeks. I need to get my wife to make one of those JavaScript counters that ends the morning of Dec 30th.

Anyway, I noticed other people go through a simular set of "stages" as they start CPAP. And I can see how some of the stages could get bad enough to just quit. I guess I've been using a CPAP machine for about 4 or 5 weeks, and I believe I am just starting to really turn the corner!

Stage 1 - Well, your pretty darn tired, you could fall asleep holding up a sign post, so sticking a thing on my face and falling asleep - no problem! Did not last overly long, as I started to get some decent sleep, a lot of questions started to rise, what's going on, and so on. For this I must explain I am a geek, who needs to know how things work!

Stage 2 - Started second guessing what is going on with my body, some good results, seeing BP go down a bit, but in general don't seem to be sleeping as much. I got a 420e, really nice to be able to see what's going on. But seeing I was experiencing up to 5 or 6 "Apneas with Cardiac Oscillations" (Central APNEA) a night. Whoahhh. Really doubting life. But you've got to stick with it, right?

But during this stage I noticed that I started to wake up in the morning trying to figure out if the darn thing was working, yeah, did not notice the pressure, at all. At this point I had upped the pressure to about 9.5cm to stop a couple of serious runs of Apneas and Hypopneas.

Stage 3 - The Waking, that is waking up every night around 2:30 - 4am. Argggg. At first is was interesting, as I would get up for the day. I actually felt better than I had in the past, but I was still tired. Very frustrating, at that point I was still second guessing it all. But after a week or so, hmmm

Stage 4 - The sweats - turns out wife put on the winter comforter, still hitting 80 degrees during the day, guess I just got a bit warm in bed *BUT* I am starting to sleep through the night, a bit of tossing and turning, still getting used to the mask and all.

Stage 5 - I'm just starting this stage, sleeping through the night, overall index (hyponeas + apneas) of around 1 per hour, and of course feeling better.

During most of the stages I believe I am dreaming more often, and a lot longer. As well my day time fatigue has dropped significantly. Still a bit foggy up stairs, but better.

In a nutshell, much to my dismay, it may take time for it to work. To all the newbies, be patient, it will get better. Make sure you mask is comfortable, and give it time. You might be suprised with the results. Unless your a former Dive Master (Bill), it could takr a month or more to get used to breathing with presure, but *IT* does happen. At night I now only think about breathing for about 3 or 4 minutes. It gets better every night.

Almost forgot, I have to thank everyone who has given me advice and encouragement! Thanks

cheers,
Tom

[WAFlowers]

As with many people, life for me has been pretty busy, and of course the official baby counter is 6 weeks. I need to get my wife to make one of those JavaScript counters that ends the morning of Dec 30th.

Isn't having a scheduled C-section so you know "when" wonderful?

Did not last overly long, as I started to get some decent sleep, a lot of questions started to rise, what's going on, and so on. For this I must explain I am a geek, who needs to know how things work!

Gee, I never noticed!

But seeing I was experiencing up to 5 or 6 "Apneas with Cardiac Oscillations" (Central APNEA) a night. Whoahhh.

Nothing to worry about! A few (and only 5 or 6 a night is "a few") centrals are normal for anyone.

But during this stage I noticed that I started to wake up in the morning trying to figure out if the darn thing was working, yeah, did not notice the pressure, at all. At this point I had upped the pressure to about 9.5cm to stop a couple of serious runs of Apneas and Hypopneas.

It is amazing what we can get used to!

Stage 3 - The Waking, that is waking up every night around 2:30 - 4am. Argggg. At first is was interesting, as I would get up for the day. I actually felt better than I had in the past, but I was still tired.

Of course you were tired, you weren't getting enough sleep!

Stage 4 - The sweats - turns out wife put on the winter comforter, still hitting 80 degrees during the day, guess I just got a bit warm in bed *BUT* I am starting to sleep through the night, a bit of tossing and turning, still getting used to the mask and all.

Ha ha ha ha! You'll get your revenge in 20 years or so when her hormones start giving her hot flashes!

In the meantime, just throw throw back the comforter on your side of the bed.

Stage 5 - I'm just starting this stage, sleeping through the night, overall index (hyponeas + apneas) of around 1 per hour, and of course feeling better.

Excellent! Not everyone gets to this stage and some are there from day one. Last night I had 9.5 hours of great sleep, which is amazing since I was in a strange bed (hotel room on business trip ... get your mind out of the gutter!). It keeps on getting better for a long time.

During most of the stages I believe I am dreaming more often, and a lot longer. As well my day time fatigue has dropped significantly. Still a bit foggy up stairs, but better.

All good news. We didn't develop this condition one night and start treatment the next, so it will take time to reverse the symptoms and side-effects.

In a nutshell, much to my dismay, it may take time for it to work.

Yep.

To all the newbies, be patient, it will get better. Make sure you mask is comfortable, and give it time. You might be suprised with the results. Unless your a former Dive Master (Bill), it could takr a month or more to get used to breathing with presure, but *IT* does happen. At night I now only think about breathing for about 3 or 4 minutes. It gets better every night.

What he said! (I didn't complete the dive master internship because I developed bronchitis from cold-scarring during a nasty Ottawa winter. )

Almost forgot, I have to thank everyone who has given me advice and encouragement! Thanks

You're welcome. Hang in there Tom, it keeps on getting better. Three months and counting for me, and I still haven't figured out when or where I'll top out!