I got my CPAP, When should I feel better?

KevinVT · Post by **KevinVT** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:28 pm

I've been looking through the various topics and didn't see this subject anywhere. I've now made it through 5 nights, and the last two were very good. I only woke up a few times during the night, either my head was hot, or a small leak. I've now got a fan on my head to keep me cool, and each night, I get more comfortable with the mask and finding sleeping positions and mask adjustments that work for me.

My question to all of you now is, when did you begin to feel results. I wake up each morning fairly sleepy, after about 8 hours of sleep. Yesterday I felt more energetic and less sleepy than I have for a long time, but today the drowsiness was back. I know it takes some time to recover, but would be grateful of you would share your experience with me to know if this is working.

The night of my sleep study, I only had mild OSA at 9.5/hour, but my oxygen had dropped below 85. The second night with the mask, I had no apneas, and my oxygen was around 92-95.

I've been determined to get through this and feel better for my family, I just don't want to get discouraged with no improvement.

Thanks for your help, I'm so glad I found this forum. I've learned so much already that has gotten me this far.

rdjw · Post by **rdjw** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:44 pm

I'd like to know too, Kevin. I'm into week 3, and still feel ++ fatigued. Fighting congestion, other issues. And trying to wean off the temazepam is not helping. But I live in hope and faith that it will all get better because of this therapy.

Goof unlogged in Proof · Post by **Goof unlogged in Proof** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:51 pm

Some notice relief the first night some take over 6 months, that's assuming you are using it the maxium time and the settings are what you need, and you aren't mouthbreathing without a FF Mask.

These are Human bodies that have been abused, sometimes it takes time, the main thing is to keep going forward, don't backup. Jim

Goof unlogged in Proof · Post by **Goof unlogged in Proof** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:52 pm

Some notice relief the first night some take over 6 months, that's assuming you are using it the maxium time and the settings are what you need, and you aren't mouthbreathing without a FF Mask.

These are Human bodies that have been abused, sometimes it takes time, the main thing is to keep going forward, don't backup. Jim

Malibu · Post by **Malibu** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:14 pm

I have been on it for 4 months and feel slightly better. I was a 1 out of a 10 before starting, now I would rate how I feel around 7 out of 10.

My sleep study showed a lack of stage 4 sleep that is suppose to be the restorative sleep and I am awaiting the results of the most recent study done last week to see what we are going to do about it.

The sleep doc said lack of stage 4 sleep will make you feel just as bad as if you hadn't slept much all night even though you know you have been asleep.

And here I always thought going to sleep was just a given thing and everyone woke up in the morning feeling great.

Stick with it and modify things such as pressure etc slowly and eventually you will find the right combination that works for you!!

Marc

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:32 pm

KevinVT wrote:My question to all of you now is, when did you begin to feel results. I wake up each morning fairly sleepy, after about 8 hours of sleep. Yesterday I felt more energetic and less sleepy than I have for a long time, but today the drowsiness was back. I know it takes some time to recover, but would be grateful of you would share your experience with me to know if this is working.

I felt better the very first night, although I ran an AHI averaging 15 or greater for another two months before I found the right combination to solve my particular problem, which turned out to be TMJ related.

KevinVT wrote:The night of my sleep study, I only had mild OSA at 9.5/hour, but my oxygen had dropped below 85. The second night with the mask, I had no apneas, and my oxygen was around 92-95.

Kevin, don't let anyone tell you that you don't have serious apnea just because your sleep study AHI was low. AHI is a HORRIBLE measure of apnea. Sleep researchers want to replace it but can't agree on what to replace it with. Plus, AHI is now deeply entrenched in the insurance industry, so it's doubly difficult to replace. Just as an example, if you had an AHI of 1.0, but your apneas lasted two to three minutes each, it's pretty good bet that you'd feel awful when you got up in the morning (if you got up).

KevinVT wrote:I've been determined to get through this and feel better for my family, I just don't want to get discouraged with no improvement.

It's good that you're making improvement, Kevin, If at some time you don't feel you're making continual improvement, you might want to consider making adjustments. Many of us use monitoring software to accomplish that, but others have been successful making adjustments without it. If you haven't had your machine very long you might consider getting a different one with software monitoring capability.

Just my $0.02, of course. Welcome to the forum and best of luck with your therapy.

Regards,
Bill

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:46 pm

Kevin--

you sound like you're in the "every night is an adventure phase" which, unfortunately can last a while. the key is to specifically figure out what the obstacles to good cpap sleep are and find solutions. stick with it!

good luck!

caroline

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:55 pm

This is definitely one of those "Your Mileage May Vary" (YMMV) situations.

Keep a good, positive attitude. Take control of YOUR therapy.

Best wishes,

Den

KevinVT · Post by **KevinVT** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 5:50 am

Den, I noticed your equipment lists the heated humidifier off. Just wondering why you prefer it off. Do you get as much moisture with the HH off as on? I need the humidity, but don't care much for the heat. I only tolerate it trying to get enough humidity to keep my from drying out (which was a problem last night)

Thanks to all for your responses, I appreciate all the support!

Kevin[/quote]

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 6:11 am

KevinVT wrote:Den, I noticed your equipment lists the heated humidifier off. Just wondering why you prefer it off. Do you get as much moisture with the HH off as on? I need the humidity, but don't care much for the heat. I only tolerate it trying to get enough humidity to keep my from drying out (which was a problem last night)

Thanks to all for your responses, I appreciate all the support!

Kevin

[/quote]

Hi Kevin,

I prefer it off because I like breathing cool air when I sleep....kind of like camping out or sleeping out in the open air. I do get some humidity and my sinuses and nasal passages are usually clear in the morning. I wouldn't mind having just a little more humidity, but I can't handle the heat from the humidifier, so this is my compromise. (Warm air holds more water molecules.) I've also considered one of the REMstar passover humidifiers, but this one does pretty good.....so for now I'll just keep using it this way.

Best wishes,

Den

Nitro Dan · Post by **Nitro Dan** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:11 am

I felt 100% better after the very first night of treatment. It was like getting my life back....

I got my CPAP, When should I feel better?

I got my CPAP, When should I feel better?

Re: I got my CPAP, When should I feel better?

Re: I got my CPAP, When should I feel better?