Better sleep but less sleep since APAP

[pathogen]

Hi,

I've recently started using an APAP and I've noticed two things:

1. the quality of my sleep is definitely better. Daytime drowsiness has pretty much disappeared
2. the amount of time I sleep has drastically decreased

Previously, I could sleep 8 hours and still be tired during the day.

The most I've slept with the APAP is about 5.5 hours and the minimum is 4.25 hours (last night).

So I expected my required hours of sleep to drop some since I would be sleeping more effectively. But I did not expect this much.

Now, some of that decrease is definitely anxiety/claustrophobia as I have to use a full face mask and want the minimal time using it as needed but it seems that the longer I use the APAP, the more aware I am if the hose is the way or the mask shifted etc. so I find myself adjusting those during the night more than when I first started using the APAP. Also, I'm waking up at least once now a couple of hours before my alarm is set to go off which is kinda annoying. Once I do, it's kinda hard to go back to sleep and last night I could not so I just got up early.

So on the one hand, I can't complain because my sleep is better but on the other hand, I have to wait until I'm real tired to go to bed (that's probably mask anxiety?) and even so, I'm waking up periodically during the night and ultimately, earlier than my alarm.

Is this sort of experience similar for other folks as well?

Thank you!

[D.H.]

I'm not clear if you transitioned to APAP from plain old-CPAP, or from "nothing."

[pathogen]

Hi,

Previously I was not using anything for my sleep apnea (severe OSA) but I finally bit the bullet and started using an APAP.

Thx

[Julie]

Hi - would you mind (Pathogen) sticking to one thread - like your last one - so we can connect the dots when wanting to help, not have to go back and find info from the first notes? Thanks!

[pathogen]

Hi,

Thanks. The reason I created separate threads for them was because I view them as rather different topics, appetite vs. decreasing sleep time.

My only other post, which was my first, was rather more general in nature which is why I did not continue there with these specific topics.

I can post in one thread if that is how it is done here but they do seem different to me.

Thanks again.

[palerider]

Hi,

Thanks. The reason I created separate threads for them was because I view them as rather different topics, appetite vs. decreasing sleep time.

It makes it easier for people to help you if you keep all your questions, concerns and issues in one place, that way people that are trying to help you can glance back in the thread to see what you've said before, and what has been suggested to you.

That's why your doctor has a chart for you, instead of a bunch of sticky notes in random places all over the office.

You DO want to make it easier for people to help you, don't you?

[Bertha deBlues]

Hi pathogen. I had a similar experience, being super aware of the mask, the headgear, the tube, everything. At first, I also woke up a lot, fiddling with everything trying to get it just right. It took some time, but I did get used to it. Now I'm barely aware of the gear when I go to bed, and actually feel "naked" without it. It was worth hanging in there.

[pathogen]

Hi,

Of course I want folks to help me, that's why I'm here.

I really don't see how mixing disparate issues together really helps in that, however.

In fact, I think it makes it worse.

A doctor's "chart" is actually subdivided. Test results, diagnosis, medicines you take etc. are not all jumbled together but rather in discrete sections for quick reference, much like a forum, such as this, has discrete threads for specific topics.

That way folks can easily browse thread titles to see if they interest them.

Otherwise, the thread titles effectively become useless.

I'm sorry we don't agree on this

If you or others don't want to help me because you find it more difficult to do so like this, then I'll just have to accept that, unfortunate as it may be.

[pathogen]

Thanks Bertha! I'm trying!

[Julie]

You're new, otherwise you wouldn't see them as separate issues - most are all connected to apnea, sleep, 02, food intake, etc. etc... it's a syndrome as much as anything.

[pathogen]

Well, I never said they were not related.

In fact I'm sure they are.

Nevertheless, lumping everything together rather than organizing into discrete, topic-specific threads makes no sense to me.

And whereas I am new here, I'm certainly not new to user fora such as this.

This is the only one I've ever seen that suggests to lump things together.

That makes one question why the forum even has the ability to create separate threads if you are going to do that...

Anyway, let's agree to disagree.

[palerider]

Nevertheless, lumping everything together rather than organizing into discrete, topic-specific threads makes no sense to me.

And whereas I am new here, I'm certainly not new to user fora such as this.

This is the only one I've ever seen that suggests to lump things together.

Here, read this, specifically #2, maybe Pugsy explains it better.
viewtopic/t172378/Sticky--Newbies-PLEAS ... 26ddef094b

Or, you could just do whatever you want to do... Experienced people *suggest* things, nobody forces you to do anything.

That makes one question why the forum even has the ability to create separate threads if you are going to do that...

That's rather ludicrous. It may make YOU question why there's the ability to have separate threads about different people, but you're the only one.

And if you stick around a while, you may learn why it makes sense to have all of one person's issues gathered together so that they may be more easily referenced... and if you don't agree... well, that's certainly up to you, and there are, as you said, other fora out there.

[pathogen]

That's rather ludicrous. It may make YOU question why there's the ability to have separate threads about different people, but you're the only one.

I kept things polite.
You go and write I've made a ludicrous statement.
Classy.

I deal with SEVERAL very, very technical fora all the time and never, ever, have read anyone suggest mis-using (and it is mis-using) a forum like this.

So if I have a new question, approximately anywhere from sort of 1 day to approximately 3 months, then I should lump things into one thread...

After sort of 3 months, then I should create a new thread, completely undercutting the whole "we can help you better if everything is lumped together" argument...

Anyway, I'm done. You can argue with yourself about it.

If you don't want to help me if I post like that, then don't.

If everyone feels that way, then I'll move on to a more organized forum.

On second thought, I think I'll do that now...

[Bertha deBlues]

No, everyone doesn't feel that way.

[palerider]

That's rather ludicrous. It may make YOU question why there's the ability to have separate threads about different people, but you're the only one.

I kept things polite.
You go and write I've made a ludicrous statement.
Classy.

I deal with SEVERAL very, very technical fora all the time and never, ever, have read anyone suggest mis-using (and it is mis-using) a forum like this.

So if I have a new question, approximately anywhere from sort of 1 day to approximately 3 months, then I should lump things into one thread...

After sort of 3 months, then I should create a new thread, completely undercutting the whole "we can help you better if everything is lumped together" argument...

Anyway, I'm done. You can argue with yourself about it.

If you don't want to help me if I post like that, then don't.

If everyone feels that way, then I'll move on to a more organized forum.

On second thought, I think I'll do that now...

Might I suggest that you'll be thrilled with Apneaboard.com.