The first 3 months to be honest was an up and down rollercoaster ride, with some days being ok, some great and some bordering on the gates of hell. However what has to be understood is that we are all so used to 'treatment' for various issues usually kicks in after a few days before we realise the benefit.. not the case with CPAP, it 'can' work immediately and usually it initially does however there are then the issues of 'rainout', leaks, etc which seem to cause more problems than they solve.
So what are the best things that have worked for me? Well i have a Auto CPAP which isnt quite as fierce as the basic models usually prescribed in the UK. I also have a humidifier, however if you have one you really must get an insulated sleeve for the hose to assist with rainout.
Don't hide the hose under the quilt as it doesn't help and generally makes things worse.
The key thing is... (trumpet fanfare queue) to get the correct mask and fit it correctly. I've now got a pressure sore on my nose bridge which makes me look like a hindu, and thanks to some iffy nose pegs for my mouth mask permanent scars either side of my nose where it started to jellify.
The general consensus is that a mask should 'float' on your face like a hovercraft.. sadly this simply doesn't work.. ok when you lay there at night it will hover on your head until you move it to one side and are greeted with a screeching fart in the middle of the night which will possibly result in the masks ability to suddenly fly across the room and explode on the opposing wall.
Take your time, adjust the tensions of the mask as necessary, test it for a night and if you're not happy modify.. it WILL take time but perservere.. don't forget your body is in adjustment mode (sorry) and you won't necessarily have a great sleep in the early stages and you'll find it difficult to adjust with unpredictable nights of sleep or disturbance, but in time it WILL get better.. the thought of me not wearing my mask now feels strange to me.
Don't worry if you have 2 hours therapy on the CPAP one night and then wake up fresh as a daisy.. it's normal, your body (depending in the severity of your apnea) has had the first 2 hours sleep in a long time and is happy. I now remove the mask after 6-7 hours sleep if i wake and try to get back to sleep without my mask. The Hospital worker has reassured me that i won't be at risk of heart attack/stroke if i do this in the mornings.
My initial pre CPAP AHI is high at 38. It dropped to around 15 and upon checking tonight is 2.1.. this is considered normal... if you're ever unsure if you've had a good sleep you'll soon know if you awake and your legs/arms are almost without sensation and totally relaxed - this is something i hadnt experienced since i started having problems.. and after time with therapy you'll (believe it or not true) possibly start struggling to get up in the morning like a teen and get tired during the day, albeit not in the same way as before the treatment.
I had some real downers which i shared on here.. very supportive people did give their assistance but as they say, everybody's different and finding the right combination of mask, machine and mask tightness is a random affair but it can be done if you want it to be. If you're unsure of how severe my desperation was, i nearly went through a Trachyostomy to have a hole in my throat to ensure a good sleep however after having a chat with someone who i know has had to have one due to cancer, it introduces a lot of other problems.
Next, if you can, try and get an auto CPAP.. if you're hospital won't provide it it's a worthwhile investment as it will adjust to your breathing patterns and the initial whoosh of air wont be as pronounced. Get the software 'sleepyhead' and share it with the community, if they suggest an adjustment (and you're in the uk) then try it.. you'll have to fiddle with the machine but the NHS won't really be that bothered if you are up front with them and don't fiddle like crazy.. i actually increased my initial settings and it helped.
Finally.. nothing happens straight away with CPAP. Just as you may have suffered for a few years before things came to a head it'll take time for your body to both adapt and get itself back in order again.
Sorry for the ramble, i felt it only fair that i post a bit of my own experiences which i won't profess are a representation of everybody but if it helps one person then it's worthwhile
