How Quickly Should You Feel Rested?

FreeLancer74 · Post by **FreeLancer74** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:17 pm

I know I saw on a thread that someone said they set their unit to an 11 and felt AMAZING the next day. But if they tried to adjust it up that increased the HMI counts and they didn't feel quite as good. My question is, how long after I start xPAP should I start feeling better or determining if this is not going to work for me? I use an APAP adjusted from 4 - 20. My three day avg is 8.3, but I know my machine starts out at 4 and only goes up after I fall asleep. My HMI is 4.8 I think. I changed my auto pressure to 7 - 15 today since my titration determined I am an 8. I have only given it 3 nights, but I'm not feeling that much better. I guess I'm not quite as sleepy during the day even without coffee, but I'm still tired and somewhat distracted/can't concentrate well. I'm avg 7 hrs sleep a night.

Does it take time to feel the benefit of well oxegenated sleep or should I have woken up on the first morning feeling like superman?

allergyridden · Post by **allergyridden** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:50 pm

Some people say they woke up at titration feeling wonderful, but that wasn't my experience. In two months I feel much better, clearer thinking etc., but then there are days I'm tired too. If you don't get enough sleep you have to expect to be tired. Every day still isn't great for me. It isn't for people who don't have sleep apnea.
Are your leaks ok? flow limitation? mouth breathe? have gerd? Many issues enter into it. The pros will have some feedback.
Have you ever hit a max of 15? I wondered why you chose that number. I had a poor titration, didn't sleep long enough, they recommended 8. I was hitting 10 a lot, so I increased to 11. Don't hit that too often. Some people will tell you take your number & go 3 up & 3 down.
Rested Gal, Snoredog & Wulfman will know.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 4:11 pm

FreeLancer74 wrote:I know I saw on a thread that someone said they set their unit to an 11 and felt AMAZING the next day. But if they tried to adjust it up that increased the HMI counts and they didn't feel quite as good. My question is, how long after I start xPAP should I start feeling better or determining if this is not going to work for me? I use an APAP adjusted from 4 - 20. My three day avg is 8.3, but I know my machine starts out at 4 and only goes up after I fall asleep. My HMI is 4.8 I think. I changed my auto pressure to 7 - 15 today since my titration determined I am an 8. I have only given it 3 nights, but I'm not feeling that much better. I guess I'm not quite as sleepy during the day even without coffee, but I'm still tired and somewhat distracted/can't concentrate well. I'm avg 7 hrs sleep a night.

Does it take time to feel the benefit of well oxegenated sleep or should I have woken up on the first morning feeling like superman?

Do you have the cardreader and software to see how you're doing?

Could be any number of things.

I noticed this in your profile:
Mirage Swift II Nasal Pillow System

Could be a possibility that you're leaking air out your mouth with that nasal mask....if you're not taping it shut.

An APAP with a setting of 4 - 20 is a recipe for disaster and poor therapy. You'll NEVER, EVER get good therapy with those settings.

What was your titrated/prescribed pressure?
Either set your machine in CPAP mode at your prescribed pressure (to see if they got it right) or set your bottom pressure at that number.

Den

eblingus · Post by **eblingus** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:10 pm

Unfortunately, is seems to vary quite a bit from person to person. I would give it a week, and then start looking for answers to why the CPAP is not working. It could be leaking problems. Apparently, for some people (including myself), CPAP just does not work well at all.

FreeLancer74 · Post by **FreeLancer74** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:23 pm

Hi Wulf,

I could be leaking out of my mouth, but I always sleep with my mouth closed and I'm not waking up with dry mouth.

My prescribed CPAP level was 8. When I demanded an APAP, the doctor sent in a precription of 4 to 20. After 3 nights, my first night showed an avg of 11. My second and third night brought my avg down to 8.3. I reset my apap settings to 7 to 15 since I would rather it go higher than lower if it is needed. I don't even mind going into CPAP mode at all, but wanted to at least give the apap a chance to auto-titrate better.

My leaks were something like 26 IIRC. I'll recheck my numbers when I get home and post an EDIT if needed.

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:02 pm

Hi,

It's easy to get myopia from watching the numbers. That said, I agree with Den and Snoredog and others about their great posts about settings. They do matter. However, probably more people than not can take several months to really feel better. We recently had someone post about feeling even better after the 8-month mark.

This isn't an instantaneous results therapy. Yes, some do feel better immediately. My first morning after titration my brain fuzz was gone and hasn't returned. But it took 3 months before my fatigue was noticeably better.

Also, the changes can be gradual enough that it could be awhile before you suddenly realize - aha! I'm feeling good.

I'd set a range (lower level at 6) and let it run for at least a week. Then see if it's time to make any further changes, etc.

Mindy

Organplayer · Post by **Organplayer** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:16 pm

I felt better after the titration, but in the last month, after getting all my leaks out and the pressure at the right place, I have reached an average 1.5 AHI and I feel better than ever. This after almost 6 months of treatment.

And I do feel a difference if I have higher than 2 AHI,even though I
understand lower than 5 is normal.

Just my .02

Kevin

FreeLancer74 · Post by **FreeLancer74** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:30 pm

Thanks Mindy, I'll keep that in mind.

As promised, Here are the actual #s from my machine:

Therapy Usage Avg:
7:06

90% Pressure:
8.3 cmH2O

System leak:
24.6 L/min (what is normal for this mask?)

Apn-Hyp Index:
4.8

Therapy Hours:
22.9

Sessions 3

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:34 pm

The ones who experience immediate "whatever" are definitely in the minority. But, there are some things that help to make it happen sooner than later and I was trying to point out some of the things I saw in your post.
Part of it depends on how long you've had this condition and the ill effects it's had on your system.
You may hear the term "sleep debt", but I think there's also a "bodily debt" and that makes it take longer to recover.

Den

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:37 pm

I felt less sleepy right away -- but then for a while reverted back to feeling sort of crummy. I am just now getting the feeling better back although I still am not where I would like to be. At least I am not so hateful and icky feeling as before!!

I think I am still paying off my sleep debt and am not giving up.

Feeling better is a big plus even if it isn't wonderful!!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:38 pm

FreeLancer74 wrote:Thanks Mindy, I'll keep that in mind.

As promised, Here are the actual #s from my machine:

Therapy Usage Avg:
7:06

90% Pressure:
8.3 cmH2O

System leak:
24.6 L/min (what is normal for this mask?)

Apn-Hyp Index:
4.8

Therapy Hours:
22.9

Sessions 3

Actually, those numbers don't look all that bad for the short length of time you've been on therapy.

I don't know what the leak rate is for that mask and it kinda makes it hard to calculate when the pressures vary.

Hang in there.

Den

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:41 pm

FreeLancer74 wrote: Does it take time to feel the benefit of well oxegenated sleep or should I have woken up on the first morning feeling like superman?

It took me 8 hours of sleep after the first night with my CPAP at home and I felt like superman the very next day. I suppose I am just one lucky kind a guy

Of course from a relaive perspective I was half dead for several years before starting treatment.

Everyone is different ... throw into that the fact that a lot of us get different levels of care from the sleep health pros ... and all the different possible combinations of equipement and it becomes a mixed bag.

With the right attitude, and the helpful members of this great forum however, one can significantly turn the odds in favor of a quicker rather than longer time to feel "rested".

Good luck!

FreeLancer74 · Post by **FreeLancer74** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:41 pm

Understood. I'll keep at it and see what time brings. I have felt crummy for quite a while considering my titration pressure is not worse than it is.

I have no problems with the mask, in fact it is very comfortable to wear and I don't "notice" any leaks. I'm just hoping it is functioning properly to benefit my therapy to its full potential.

I'll keep in mind I have to pay back my sleep debt. What a funny term. LOL
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): Titration

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:45 pm

Just remember when things are looking their darkest -- come back here for support!!

That is what is so wonderful about this forum -- no matter how we are feeling they will help us figure it out!!

How Quickly Should You Feel Rested?

How Quickly Should You Feel Rested?

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