I am very new to CPAP. How long before I start feeling awake

[smurphy73]

I just got my remstar pro2 with humidifer this week and I have had no change in anything. I am still very tired and curious about apnea and cpap.
Any information and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Stephanie

[rdjw]

Dunno. I just finished Month #1 and I'm still tinkering with "what's going to work the best."

This forum can give you lots of ideas, but only you will know what feels right. Don't be afraid to experiment a bit, but also try to remember that your unit is set up to your doctor's specs - and don't stray from them much without some guidance.

I joined this forum on about my 2nd week, and what I learned right away was that I didn't knoiw much about it all (still don't: I have only ever tried one mask, and that will get me hoots and jeers from the veterans with cabinets full of them). The FAQs are great, explore all the resources here, and you will do better.

Happy Hosing!
RDJW

[Goofproof]

I see you are using a nasal mask, are you sure you aren't leaking air out of your mouth, if you are you are loosing treatment.

It took a long time to damage your body with a sleep disorder, some times it takes a long time to catch back up. It was over three months before I caught up and I used a FF Mask over 8 hours every night, but I made it and you can too. Jim

[KevinVT]

I'm about a week and a half into my life as a hosehead, and have begun to notice subtle changes. I'm finally sleeping mostly through the night, and feeling less sleepy during the day. It's taken some time to figure out what works and get used to it, but I don't even notice my machine anymore. I just got my fleece hose covers in the mail, and I don't have to worry about my hose routing now. I can even sleep right on the hose with no marks or discomfort.

The bottom line is don't give up. I got discouraged at first, but with each day I feel better. I now look forward to going to sleep each night.

[reval]

I just got my remstar pro2 with humidifer this week and I have had no change in anything. I am still very tired and curious about apnea and cpap.
Any information and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Stephanie

I believe most people are experiencing the first changes within a month. It is a process that needs some time.

[Peterau]

Hang in there. Like you I am new to CPAP. I am 2 weeks in and counting. Week 1 the headache I would wake up with every morning has gone, but was still sleepy. End of week 2 am stating to feel a little brighter. Seems to take a little time for the body to put something back in the sleep bank.

[Guest]

I am on week 3 and I feel brighter more alert.

The short journey has not been without problems tho.
1) Mask problems getting it comfortable and mostly airtight and making small modifications.
2) Humidifier not working correctly.
3) Dry mouth and swallowing air helped by a chinstrap.
4) RAINOUT - not cured this quite yet (cover failed) but heated hose on its way from Australia.
5) Resetting the start up pressure to a comfortable level.

But on the right side I have had 6.5 hours minimum sleep a night and I have manged 9 hours.
The help from the forum has been very good as I am pretty much on my own. The only help was from my Doctor in writing the prescription and the sleep study result.

Clive

[smurphy73]

thanks alot for everyones input. This forum has given me alot of info from just reading. This diagonsis of apnea has been along time coming. i have been diagnosed with everything underthe sun. Including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, fibromyalgia and so on.... and i am only 32. I was in a severe motor vehicle accident 2 years ago- fell asleep behind the wheel on a 2 lane divided highway and my cruise was set. God was with me that day, i didnot get hurt, either did my son, but my mimivan was totaled. It is a vey scary thing to have happen. Then I spent the last two years trying to figure out why I was so darn tired.

I finally got fed up- I googled excessive daytime sleepiness, and low and behold sleeping disorders came up. The very next day I went to see my doc. and had her schedule a sleep study.

Sometimes you just need to take the bulls by the horns!!!! If you can't advocate for your self and make someone listen no one ever will.
sometimes making someone listen is the hard part.


thanks for everthing
Stephanie

[Ellen]

YOU HANG IN THERE STEPHANIE - I'm only 1 month down on AutoCpap and have just in this past week begun to feel difference. Power went out last night here right at bedtime and I thought it was going to be nice to go without CPAP - WITHOUT GUILT -

What I learned from that is that I feel crummy again, like before CPAP and that I really have become friends with CPAP. I had a very rough first month with major mask issues, infection across bridge of nose from mask, masks that leaked too much, and the most obnoxious thing of skin not tolerating mouth taping......................for the first 30 days I thought I would literally through equipment out the window (and I have only major medical so paid for all of mine out of pocket) BUT after last night's experience I see what progress I really have made and will try to become even better buddies with my mask.

There is much to learn from this forum and many who will help you. You probably need to get specific as to machine and type of mask, pressures, and any other data you can think of --- do not be shy -- those of us who are on this forum are either here to get help or here to help and even newbies can help each other. Above all, you will need lots of encouragement and support - this is the place to get it - and if you are reluctant to put something on the public forum, pick someone you feel comfortable with and PM them.................

Wishing you MUCH LUCK from Wyoming

Ellen

[Grimace]

I'm one of the lucky ones. I saw results after the first night, and it took less than a week for me to fully adapt to the equipment. I wish I could give you some answers, but unfortuantely all I can do is encourage you to stay with it, the results are well worth the effort.