Hope for new users

[Slickpig]

I've been lurking around here for a couple weeks, before and after I got my first cpap machine. I was diagnosed with an AHI of 14, so right on the edge of mild/moderate apnea. I've been feeling really tired for the last few years, depressed and easily irritated, plus the wife complains of my snoring so I had the sleep study, and got the machine.

I'm a tech guy by trade so I like to learn everything I can about my "equipment" so I've spent a ton of time researching machines, masks, and all aspects of how things work.

I was under the assumption that I would just throw the mask on, hit start on the machine and I'd be instantly better... boy was I wrong. I started with my machine 9 days ago and it was horrible! 1st and 2nd night I maybe slept for 5 hrs total, 3rd night I said screw it and threw the mask on the floor. nights 4 & 5 I slept better and actually felt an improvement in my alertness, then a couple bad days thanks to a cold or allergies which caused the machine to tickle my throat so I couldn't use it, and boy did I feel the difference the next day, I was back to the "zombie" feeling.

Now after a couple of good days I'm feeling better, I have to assume things will continue to improve. My advice for new users is to learn EVERYTHING about your machine and the data you can get out of it. I have an airsense 10, and pretty much threw everything my doc said out the window with regards to the set pressure. I set it to auto 4-20 and then looked over my sleepy head data, and machine data to see where it adjusted to in order to correct my apnea. Then I dialed it in from there to a smaller range that let me fall asleep easier, and wouldn't wake me up with giant pressure increases.

I also bought one of each mask type to see which one I was most comfortable with. And played with the hose temp and humidity, but turns out that auto settings seem to work the best.

So, stick with it, small changes at a time, take your health and data into your own hands, hopefully things will get better. It's a major pain, and it takes some work and some time but I think in the end it will be worth it.

[Pugsy]

Congratulations on sticking it through the first few hurdles.
It took me about 3 weeks to get past most of mine and longer for a couple of the other hurdles.

Yes...it will get better with time and experience but don't get disheartened if you still have a bad night or hurdle pop up every now and then...we all have them...even me and it will be 6 years next month.
They don't happen very often now but they do happen occasionally.

[Sir NoddinOff]

In spite of a few initial bumps in the road, you are the new poster child for how to successfully approach CPAP therapy (newbies take note)... I hope it continues to go well for you.

[Nick Danger]

Way to go, slick pig! You adapted more quickly than many of us.