New to CPAP and CPAPTalk

theatreprof · Post by **theatreprof** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:45 am

I just spent my first night with my own CPAP, I night I put off for over a year. I had my first sleep study done in Feb of 2005, and the results were "severe OSA." I had difficulty connecting with the sleep lab to set up the titration study, and used that as my excuse for not actively pursuing it. Truthfully, I was so uncomfortable during the first study and--even more truthfully--freaked out by the initial diagnosis that I only got up the nerve to have the titration study done this July (prompted by recent anxiety attacks during sleep).

I was a big moron.

Last night, I slept the whole night with the CPAP, at a pressure of 17; the mask was comfortable, and I have no complaints. I had to adjust the humidifier a few times to combat a dry throat, and I woke up with a little bit of gas, but I HAD THE BEST SLEEP I'VE HAD IN AT LEAST A DECADE. I woke up with no headache, no pain in my legs. I'm clearheaded. Strangely, I don't know if anyone else has this experience, but colors seem more vibrant.

I know I'm probably in the minority to have such a positive experience from the get go. There are others though, like me, who took to this like a duck to water?

kurtchan · Post by **kurtchan** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:52 am

Theatreprof,

Welcome and thanks for sharing such good initial results. Though you are definitely in the minority, I've seen reports from several other forum members who experienced similar positive results from the get-go. To bastardize Shakespeare "You few. You happy few."

Not to sound any alarms, but please don't be surprised or sidetracked by the occasional bad night. They happen to even the most compliant CPAPers and should be expected and dealt with as they come.

Keep us posted as to your progress and don't hesitate to ask questions or look for advice here.

Good luck!

Kurtchan

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:00 am

theatreprof wrote:I know I'm probably in the minority to have such a positive experience from the get go. There are others though, like me, who took to this like a duck to water?

Quack! Quack!

Welcome to the forum. Glad to hear you "got with the program" and are now going to get some GOOD sleep.
Please keep us informed on your progress. This therapy can have its ups and downs, so hang in there.

Best wishes,

Den

Sibby · Post by **Sibby** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:10 am

Nice to see another newbie on here.

I have had two nights now, without anything horrifying to report. I don't think colors seemed more vibrant, but I could say that I was able to get up without the feeling that I just HAD to have more sleep.

kwkone · Post by **kwkone** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:34 pm

Congratulations! I'm jealous.

I am having the opposite results.

I have only been on the CPAP for 3 nights. So far it is very disappointing. I am completely exhausted and can hardly think straight.

Before the CPAP, I never had these problems. I woke up fine, and was not tired during the day.

I hope this gets better, I've got too much work to do, to be this tired.

Jim

theatreprof · Post by **theatreprof** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:43 pm

Jim, I hope things get better for you.

CodeThought · Post by **CodeThought** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:48 pm

Jim,

A similar thing happened to me for about a week. Just give it time. Also, in my case, I have to have a fan running and pointing at me because the chinstrap makes me feel a bit stiffled. My face starts to get really warm and I don't like that at all.. Without the fan I overheat and kick the headgear off in my sleep.

Just a suggestion for added comfort.

CT

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:08 pm

Welcome theatreprof.

Kwkone, for some folks, like theatreprof, everything clicks and the first nights are a physical and mental epiphany. It takes some of the rest of us time and struggle but we end up in the same place... No, I'm not going to ask you to go to church, I am talking XPAP here.

Keep after it and I bet, if you are paying attention, within a few days or even a couple of weeks you may notice little changes. Maybe you get throught the nightly news without drooling on yourself... maybe you're the one that comes up with the bright idea or solution at work rather than being nudged awake... maybe you'll notice you're drinking less caffeine and making it to lunch without a sore nose from nodding off too close to the desk or table... maybe decisions will seem easier and you're actually curious about things.. and maybe just maybe its not a theater thing and colors will be more vivid!

Ask questions, be strong to your DME, Dr and insurance company, and believe it will work.

kwkone · Post by **kwkone** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:20 pm

Thanks for all of the support.

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack theatreprof's thread.
I started a new one. "new to all of this"

Jim

theatreprof · Post by **theatreprof** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:42 pm

Ha! No problem!

Snow986176 · Post by **Snow986176** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:21 pm

Good for you!! That is what I like to hear. I was hoping for the same results but so far has not happened. I have not gone for mytitration study so I am thinking that the pressure is way to low. She did give me a script for something today to help me sleep, because since Ive been on this equipment for the past 2 weeks I have not gotten barly any sleep.

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:57 pm

theatreprof, my first night on cpap was very much similar to yours!
What a joy to wake up so clear! I'll always remember the event!
I knew right then and there that I would work hard to overcome any obstacles in my cpap therapy so that I could have more of this kind of restful sleep!
Things like; sleep debt, mouthleaks, aerophagia, dry mouth, rainout, comfortable masks, etc.... can certainly impact the quality of your cpap therapy along the way So, if and when any such issues come up for you, just remember "your 1st" time!
It makes it all worth striving for!!!

Mask

Mask

New to CPAP and CPAPTalk

New to CPAP and CPAPTalk

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