New guy question

[pgjackson]

First post. Just got my CPAP machine about 10 days ago and I have a concern. I have spoken to several people who have apnea who all claim to have had a life-changing experience once they got on the CPAP. I was so excited to finally get the machine and try it out. What a let-down. I am still waking 5-10 times a night and don't really feal significantly more rested. The snoring has stopped (which my wife appreciates), and i don't seem to need to go to the bathroom as frequently at night. But I still haven't slept through the night. I have no problem sleeping with the mask, I just keep waking up. Very frustrating. I kind of thought that I would fall asleep and then wake up the next morning a new man (which is pretty much what my friends told me was their experience). 10 days into this and I'm wondering if this is even working. Thoughts?

[LSAT]

Please fill in your profile listing your equipment...it will be easier to get some suggestions

[nanwilson]

Pg
Yes, it will take time to catch up on the missed sleep you have had over the years, and yes, this is an adjustment period for you. Your brain is used to doing what it feels is right for your body and now you have thrown this machine and mask into the mix....it is rebelling at all the change. Relax you will get there...patience and persistance are the key words here. You will wake up one morning and think...boy I feel great, this is really working after all. Have you tried any other masks than the one you have...that is usually the worst part of this therapy..finding the mask that works for you. Give your supplier a call and get another mask...you can trade masks in the first 30 days free of charge.
And relax...its not a race.
Good luck and welcome to the land of hoseheads
Nan

[Sheriff Buford]

I looked back on my records and it was day 19 that I woke up feeling like a new man, refreshed and haven't slept so good in years... You show signs of the treatment working:
-less bathroom breaks
-less snoring
But give it time. Unfortunately, some folks have very little "ah-hah" experiences. I feel bad for them. For me, after that "ah-hah day, the healing of my body has been very slow and gradual. I found that if I am sensitive to my body, I can see the subtle improvements that cpap therapy has done. That's just me, though. Read some of the entries on the newbie tabs on the top of this forum. You may get some more insight as what to expect as you go. Know that you are doing your body a big favor and may be adding several years to your life, even though you may not feel it.

Sheriff

[aevans410]

Hang in there.

I started CPAP late July. Felt horrible, didn't sleep.

This past week, I'm starting to feel better and sleep all night with the mask on. It will happen, just hang in there.

[themonk]

So you figured out the 'miracle' is a bit oversold? The facts are much different judging from the dropout rate for PAP users and the number of people on various message boards struggling to not join that number. I want to hit people in the throat who spread such craziness!

Many will tell you just to keep at it, and you may be well-served to do that, but I would suggest taking things apart a bit. Any of the following could be an issue specific to PAP:

Leaks (could be either mask leaks or leaks out of your mouth)
Uncontrolled events (review your PAP machine reports via Sleepyhead or Encore)
Aerophagia
Noise Issues (noise from the exhaust vent, hose rustling)
Hose Issues (hose getting tangled)

Any one or more of those could be a problem and each one has a solution. Consider it a PAP issue checklist and see how each one relates to you and your sleep. I am sure there are more but those are probably the biggies.

I wrote all of that but honestly there might not be a specific cause. It could be, like in my case, that you have an overactive nervous system that doesn't handle the additional stimulation very well. So you could just keep putting the mask on which works for some, but absolutely didn't help me. My sleep doc was of little help and his solution was to lower the pressure which had 0 impact on me staying asleep. So I am taking a step back and looking at learning to relax my mind and body to a deeper level. So, if you aren't having issues w/ things like leaks, uncontrolled events, too much ambient noise, aerophagia, you might want to explore your relationship with sleep in general. Sounds new-agey but it is far from it. One of the forum superstars Robysue recommended a book I am reading now by Dr. Barry Krakow called Sound Sleep. I am REALLY finding it useful and I know she did as well. It is a book you can actually use. I would recommend it to anyone with sleep issues, or even those without issues honestly.

[Bookbear]

Welcome! This place is a gold mine for suggestions, support, and help. I'd echo nanwilson's comment about it not being a race. People are different, and while some DO experience those 'life-changing' effect, for others, it takes time. I think the longer you've had untreated apnea, the longer it takes to get back to a more normal balance. Be aware, too, that your pressure needs will change and that you may have to make some changes there early on to get the best response from your therapy.

Finally, I'd add that in my experience (and that of many here, as well as that of personal friends of mine) that the mask, and especially the mask fit, are THE key to successful treatment -- far more so than the machines themselves. You may well find that the original mask you were given is NOT the best one for you. Experiment!

Good luck!

[pgjackson]

Thanks for all the responses. Sounds like I just may need time to let my body get used to the machine. I guess my expectations were a little high. I fully expected to wake up after the first night with the CPAP and feel brand new. The fact that the snoring has stopped and the frequent bathroom trips have decreased to only one per night are signs that something is working. I fantasize about falling asleep and not waking up till the alarm goes off. I can't remember the last time I didn't wake up 4 or 5 times a night. My wife hits the pillow and doesn't move till the morning. I am so jealous. That explains why she is such a morning person and I feel like a big pile of crap till about 10am.

[Zboatman]

Great question, I had the same expectations. I am now 6 months into my therapy. I am a new man. I like all the suggestions so far in this thread they seem to be right on in my experience. I have seen many changes from my body over the last 6 months, very few took place in the first thirty days. I religiously use my unit but it has taken a while for some things to just go away, first was the snoring and bathroom breaks, then other "bathroom" issues vanished. I used to have "stage fright" in the men's room, that has completely gone away, go figure? I have had significant heartburn for over 5 years over the last 60 days that has gone away. I have stopped taking any medication for it. Subtly I have seen a significant amount of my cognition come back, I am not saying I am smarter just reacting quicker.

Anyone who gives up in the first thirty days has been lead astray by false expectations. Keep with it, stay loyal to the machine and good things will come of it.

[Jesse1952]

Thanks for this post as it is exactly the question I also had. I've only been on CPAP a couple of days and wondering if and when I'd feel any different. Now I realize that it may take some time.

[Sleepy in Idaho]

I'm finishing up week 2 and just came back from my "check up" appointment - all my stats on my machine are good - only 1 night at least than 4 hours and my average is 7.25 hours per night - so why don't I feel fantastic!?! Like others have said - I have started paying very close attention to everything I am doing - especially caffeine, how late I eat and what I eat, even what I watch on TV before I go to bed. Turns out that the not so great mornings I have are usually traced back to something I've done the day before... Diet Coke is a big culprit for me - I spent the first 35 years of my life being unable to handle any caffeine at all and then the last 10 living on the stuff to overcome this awful feeling of being tired and feeling stupid and fuzzy all the time! So I have found that any caffeine I have ends up having a negative effect on my sleep.

Long-winded answer to say - there may be coping mechanisms or habits you developed when you were not sleeping well that could be affecting your ability to sleep better with the machine. Plus - just like everyone else says...hang in there, it's a process and we have to re-learn!

Take care,

Debbie

[chunkyfrog]

I totally agree with Sleepyinidaho.
Do not be surprised if some of the poor sleep hygiene habits you developed while trying to survive with untreated apnea
now interfere with your therapy. Besides the caffeine, staying up late can also be something you will need to address.
I sorely miss Craig Ferguson, even Letterman. I get my fix on Youtube, now--when I'm not supposed to be asleep.

[Spektor]

Did you ever have a second study, a titration study, where they observed you sleeping with the equipment on/eeg, etc?

Perhaps they should do something over if you are still having such major problems?