how long did it take for you to get back to normal

[jhspires]

hello all,
i have been on cpap therapy for about a month now and i have not noticed a burst of energy but i due feel i can make it through the day without falling asleep or taking a nap.
i have good days and bad days like most everyone else here and just was wondering how long it took for you to feel normal again?
i have been active must my life despite being overweight until last year when i was tried all the time and thought i was dying.
i have notice now that i don't get up and go to the bathroom at night like i have been for the last 5 years or so.
anybody's stories would be a big help.
thank you for your help.

[chunkyfrog]

Congratulations.
Slow response is not unusual, but it's very encouraging that what you do notice is positive,
and that you are getting therapy/sleep every night.
Many of us do not remember what "normal" feels like, and think of improvement in the context of summing up
what feels different/better, and how those around us notice improvements in disposition, memory, etc.
Others around us often notice many changes before we do ourselves.
Dealing with the equipment is a challenge that requires extra effort at first; then the healing begins.
Some say we are "catching up", or "paying off our sleep debt". Many of us started out in a deep hole,
but we've been gradually clawing our way out. Welcome!

[pianokay]

I am coming up on CPAP therapy for 5 months now. Actually I use the APAP mode. I don't know that I ever just noticed that I felt "wonderful", but gradually have noticed I have more energy, I don't feel near as tired at the end of the day. I rarely need naps. My therapy feels good, and believe me it took some getting used to and never thought I would be able to say it felt normal. I am loving the tap pap as I like the little contact with my face. When I was showing my grandkids how much air comes out when I turn it on, it seems like a lot. Yet, now when I turn it on at night, sometimes I think is it even working and put my hand up to check the exhale to be sure. My husband says I sleep much better, sounder, and don't move around all the time which makes him happy to. I was in denial for awhile after I was diagnosed, but just decided if this is the way It is then so be it, and I'll do my best to make it work. Really not a big deal now. I'm certainly doing a lot of dreaming, and guess that is a good sign.

Sounds like you are coming along quite well for one month. Keep up the good work and hang it there.

[caffeinatedcfo]

I would categorize your initial response to CPAP as normal. I never got a burst of energy either. My nocturia stopped immediately, I started having "normal" dreams again (versus fight-or-flight dreams), I do not experience the severe daytime fatigue from before, I sleep most of the night vs waking every hour, I am more productive at work, and I am calmer in stressful situations.

I've been on the hose since 3/27/13.

[BlackSpinner]

A lot of recovery is subtle at first. I was never a morning person so I have never in my life had that "Wow what a wonderful morning - I will run around the block singing" feeling (I was married to someone like that once so I know they exist and bring you breakfast in bed so they won't get their head bitten off).

When you think back very carefully you will realize just how much better you feel - humans tend to block out memories of pain and distress (otherwise no second child would ever be born)

[Crazy Eddie]

Your question assumes I was normal to begin with. That is a debatable proposition.

[jhspires]

thanks for all the words of encouragement i really need them right now.

[DreamStalker]

Normal?

There is no going back to Kansas Dorthy ... the world has entered an age of increasing change ... so you best get used to learning to adapt if you want to survive.

[DavidCarolina]

NEVER.

I never expect to get back to where I was because i went a long time undiagnosed. I damaged my nervous system in some
unrecordable way and its not coming back.

Thats not to say i am not healing, improving, etc. But the good old days of not even thinking about the
breathing process day or night are gone.

This is one reason its an incredible shame that OSA is the most under diagnosed problem alongside
adrenal fatigue and nutrient deficiency.

Its no different than a previous smoker. You never get your lungs back exactly the way
they were although you can live a full normal life with care and therapy and quitting
whats causing the problem.