Four weeks on CPAP and counting!

ColoradoDreamer · Post by **ColoradoDreamer** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:17 pm

I’ve read several posts that report how they obtained immediate results and others that are struggling for months will limited success. I was hopeful that I would be one of the immediate success stories but it was not to be…sorta.

When I left the sleep lab, I responded very well to the CPAP, so I was told. I did feel different. Not the normal tired feeling in the morning but not awake either (zombie?). I could feel my sinuses, what a great experience! I have severe allergies (had not had really clear sinuses for decades).

I’ve just completed 4 weeks of CPAP and it was in the third week that I noticed changes. It was not earth shattering like a dramatic drop in blood pressure (my BP is normal), or vivid dreams (still waiting) or springing out of bed with a tremendous amount of energy. No, it was the little things that I assumed was a part of life that I now realize are not normal. The first 3 weeks I would wake up feeling a mix of feeling awake and tired that would come in alternating waves. Something was happening and this was good. Last weekend I sat down to read a book. Normally I would fall asleep reading a book after about 15 minutes on a good day. After 2 hours of reading and comprehending, it dawned on me that I had not nodded off. Later that night before turning out the lights, I read some and again I didn’t nod off like I normally do. Last week at work I found that I could make it through the day without feeling the need to take a nap ( I stifled the urge pre-CPAP...not good form at work). Lunch did not slow me down not even at the afternoon meetings. I found that I did not yawn as much working out at the gym after work like I use to pre-CPAP. Another great advance is that I find that after a few minutes with the mask on I feel like I have to check to see if the machine is on and if I am wearing the mask. It’s as if I don’t have it on. Not true all nights but hopefully will get there soon.

I found that after 2 weeks my AHI was between 6 and 7 for a seven day average which concerned me so I slept on my side (I like sleeping on my back). At the end of 4 weeks I got my AHI down to 1.3 for the seven-day average. Something to discuss with the ENT in Dec about increasing pressure.

Tomorrow the DME will be by to pickup my card and leave a blank one. She will send the results to the ENT to review. I was told it would be bad form for me to get the printout before the ENT went over it with me (time to get my own software, I guess). I didn't want argue. I keep a sleep log so I am able to track my own progress. I hope to turn in the rental for ownership of my own equipment when I see the ENT.

I am happy with my progress and look forward to the other advances. What the advances will be I don’t know, but I can’t wait to see what happens.

Thanks to all on the forum for the information and support. I imagine I would still be struggling without the nuggets offered in the forum. I visit the forum nearly daily looking for ideas to make living with CPAP doable. So the info provided on this forum is very valuable to us that didn’t know what CPAP was till it was put on our faces at the sleep lab. With time, I hope to provide others with support from what I’ve learned.

bairdbeth · Post by **bairdbeth** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:36 pm

Congratulations on 1 month! I have been using CPAP for aound 2 months. I have the M Series Pro and bought the software and reader. Well worth it and puts my mind at ease since I can check my daily AHI. I didn't have that immediate improvement feeling either. I did realize last week, that I don't feel like nodding off every day at work. I don't have to have an afternoon nap either (but they are nice on the weekends ) Continue on! Hopefully that energized feeling and dreaming will come. I am still waiting for those too!

JAP6040 · Post by **JAP6040** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:12 pm

Wow, thanks for the encouragement! I have only been using CPAP for 1 week. I also feel that "zombie" feeling in the morning - good to know it's not just me! I did notice that I didn't nearly nod off in church today! That's an improvement! Before I didn't want to nod off, but couldn't help it before. Thanks!

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:52 am

I have been on Cpap for 18 months now,I felt great after a couple of days. And I feel better every day.
Congrats to both of you.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 8:04 am

I've gotten in 42 night w/my PAP buddy. I haven't had problems sleeping w/it as far as fighting the mask, or noise, or any of that. I'm just not getting RESTFUL sleep. But I "think" things are getting better. Some mornings I feel fairly decent. Still getting the exhaustion and craving a nap in the early afternoon. We eat a late dinner so I'm fighting sleep at 7:30-8PM. I've used the ComfortLite 2 nasal cushion the last 3 nights, not that the pillows give me any real discomfort but after 2-3 weeks the inside of my snozz was feeling a little bruised on occasion. My leakage was finally down to 0.34 last night and AH 0.0 but darn HI was 8.5. 240 hours sleeping w/my PAP now. *sigh*

So who gives a rat's rear if it isn't "good form" to get and see the printout before the doctor? I could care less. "I" want to know and I'm the one paying and I'm the one sleeping w/this beastie.

My DME must be lazier and/or cheaper than yours. They don't come to my house, I had to go to them to pick up my equipment or for anything I want. They don't "do" the downloading, I'm supposed to take my data card (or mail) it to the sleep lab. Which is okay since I have even less interest in them than they do in me.

I don't think I've remembered 10 dreams in my entire life? So what is the big deal about remembering dreams? I would think if you remember your dream(s) it is because you woke up during the dream and therefore it is better that you don't remember them as that would mean you slept thru them uninterrupted. Heaven knows I "do" like uninterrupted sleep!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 8:39 am

ColoradoDreamer,

It's time to get the software......
You've been on the machine for 4 weeks.
The card only holds the last (approx.) 6 days of detailed data.....the rest will only be compliance data (hours slept).
Most DMEs don't know how to get the "Full Details" from the cards when they pull the reports and will (guaranteed) erase your card once they download it. (because the "Erase data after download" option is turned on by default in the software).

In other words, the "report" that your DME sends to your ENT will (in all probability) only say that you've been using your machine......PERIOD. You and your ENT will have NO idea of what's been going on during the nights because the DME won't give you the "Full Details". They really don't care.....as long as you've been using your machine, they can collect their money from your insurance.
YOU are the ONLY one who will have an interest in how your therapy is working.

Good luck.

Den

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 8:49 am

Make sure you get the machine you want so you can get software that will help you. They will probably try to downgrade you to a machine that wll limit you. Congrats on looking out for yourself. Jim

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 8:57 am

Goofproof wrote:Make sure you get the machine you want so you can get software that will help you. They will probably try to downgrade you to a machine that wll limit you. Congrats on looking out for yourself. Jim

Jim,

CD's profile shows the M Series Pro, so the "data" should be there to see.

Den

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 4:51 pm

ColoradoDreamer, sounds like you're doing extremely well! A few feel great results right away, but most write that their improvement is gradual over time. Either way, it's a good thing "cpap" is doing for us.

Please check your private messages -- button at upper right of the page.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 4:59 pm

Slinky wrote:what is the big deal about remembering dreams? I would think if you remember your dream(s) it is because you woke up during the dream and therefore it is better that you don't remember them as that would mean you slept thru them uninterrupted. Heaven knows I "do" like uninterrupted sleep!

I agree, Slinky. Not remembering dreams or being even vaguely aware of just having had a dream is not the same thing as "not dreaming." We can be having plenty of healthy REM, sleeping peacefully through the dreaming, and wake up not remembering have dreamed at all. The dream has to be interrupted by an awakening that lasts long enough (seems I've read, 30 seconds awake) to commit it to memory. Or at least to commit to memory the vague recollection of "having dreamed." Like you, Slinky, I like the idea of sleeping right through undisturbed REM.

Here are some interesting old topics about dreams, REM rebound, etc.

viewtopic.php?t=3524
LINKS to dreaming - dreams - REM rebound

Machine