POLL: How would you rate YOUR success (1-10) w/ PAP therapy?

[who]

The idea of this poll is for it to be more about feeling successful at using positive-airway-pressure therapy (PAP, such as CPAP) than it is to be a poll about whether the therapy itself seems to be improving health. (Though, obviously, the two things can be very much related.) Might as well be honest; polls are anonymous.

[lktnky]

I'd still like to feel more rested when I get out of bed in the morning. Still a hit-or-miss thing and would love to get my AHI down lower than 5.
I notice that if I take a couple of Tylenol XS before bed I sleep better but have higher AHI. Wonder if I'm just not getting down into REM.

[who]

I notice that if I take a couple of Tylenol XS before bed I sleep better but have higher AHI.

I am not aware of proof that normal use of acetaminophen would affect breathing or sleep, but constantly taking a high dose is said to be bad for the lungs. Diphenhydramine in night versions of drugs can affect sleep and breathing, though.

[Julie]

Never heard that it's bad for the lungs, but it will wreck your liver given enough time.

[who]

Never heard that it's bad for the lungs, but it will wreck your liver given enough time.

Good point.

As for the lung thing, I don't know if it's true, it is only something I've read:

The team found that the use of acetaminophen was linked with an increased risk of both asthma and COPD, and the risk increased in line with the dose taken. Among those using acetaminophen daily lung function was also lower. Taking aspirin or ibuprofen on a regular basis was not associated with respiratory illness.

http://www.news-medical.net/news/2005/05/03/9739.aspx

[jabman]

I Think for being only a month and a half into treatment that i will do for the resrt of my life, I am doing great. I credit it to this forum.

[who]

I Think for being only a month and a half into treatment that i will do for the resrt of my life, I am doing great. I credit it to this forum.

Nice post, Jabman. That attitude will take you far! Thanks for posting it.

[lktnky]

I notice that if I take a couple of Tylenol XS before bed I sleep better but have higher AHI.

I am not aware of proof that normal use of acetaminophen would affect breathing or sleep, but constantly taking a high dose is said to be bad for the lungs. Diphenhydramine in night versions of drugs can affect sleep and breathing, though.

I can't handle Tylenol PM. PCP said I could take up to 5 TXS and would only then get to a prescription strength dosage.
I've wondered about liver damage, but 'he' says it's ok.
I think it gives me a higher AHI because I'm going down into a deeper sleep since I don't have the pain. One other question I would have is "Why doesn't the VPAP Auto deliver a higher pressure when my obstructions increase?"

[carbonman]

For once in my life...I'm a 10.
My therapy is dialed in and exact, every night.
I am my own best therapist. On call 24/7.
Since I started using PC's mask liner,
the last remaining discomfort of cpap was
removed and I can't imagine sleeping without it.

I think the only way my therapy could get
any better would be to get an S9 so I could
post 0.0 AHIs.

[Hospiceangel]

CPAP has saved my life, ok maybe not my job, but my life.
I'm so grateful for the the last 5 weeks and especially all the support, information and laughter I have found on this site. Each and every one of you need to pat yourself on the back because you are all angels!
Shar:)
I am not 10+ yet, there are still some things I want to tweak but I am grateful I took to it like a fish out of water....pun intended

[DreamOn]

I'm cruising right along at 9. There are still a few mysteries to solve, but therapy has gone very well for me.

[elena88]

Im a one to two, but plan to be a ten soon!

I would have been a zero the first week I started if not for all of YOU!

[chunkyfrog]

I expected some improvement, as I was totally wasted due to lack of sleep.
The information I found here (some I never suspected--or looked for) has helped immeasurably.
My liver enzymes have dropped significantly, and my doctor, upon seeing my lab work, thought I had been following a low-fat diet.
I can stay awake and alert at work, and am solving complicated problems so much more easily than before.
Yaaay!

[DoriC]

I checked the 8-10 range because I'm never quite satisfied with my husband's therapy. As the caregiver I'm always wondering if I could be doing something better. Never mind that he sleeps 8-9hrs/night, AHI is between 1 and 2,we've mastered the leak issues and he doesn't fall asleep in his recliner anymore, there's got to be something else I'm missing?

[jnk]

Nice poll, who. I couldn't have done it better myself.

I think the only way my therapy could get
any better would be to get an S9 so I could
post 0.0 AHIs.

Uh, no comment.