When does something good happen?

avgeo · Post by **avgeo** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:22 pm

Sleep study results:Severe obstructive sleep apnea. Three weeks now on cpap. Iamb working through all of the problems I see on this forum. Up to 6 hours now. This has to result in something good ( besides just living longer!). Generally what are those good things and when do folks start to notice them?

Avgeo

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 1:19 pm

About 7 weeks on CPAP now. From what I've been reading-the answer to your question is-it varies. I am new to this and can't answer the real technical stuff-but it will help those who can if you go back to the profile and plug in the equipment you are using. More specific questions like what problem you are currently dealing with will help others tell you what worked for them.

Overall I have to say I am feeling more energetic...less sleepy...and the filtered/warm/humidified air has helped my nasal allergies. Saying that does not mean that I haven't wakened up 15 minutes after going to sleep wondering what the funny noise coming from the machine is. Or that I don't think evil thoughts about my "beloved" CPAP when I can't get the noise to stop. Or that I would love to call the resp therapist at 3 AM in the morning to remind her she didn't answer my 3 PM call yet. Or that I don't don't ever envy people who sleep well without drugs or whooshing machines.

You may need a change in some aspect of your treatment. Sounds like you are increasing time on the machine-how about the quality of the sleep. Take the Epworth sleepiness test every day and look for little signs of progress. Do you have a followup appt at 6 weeks-if not call and make one? Are you using a sleep clinic or a lab in a doctor's office? Do they have any groups or support for people starting CPAP that you could go to. Check in here everyday.

Keep a sense of humor...be willing to look at even a little progress...don't make CPAP optional... There are two statments I've found on this site that I think about when I get frustrated..Can't find them now so hope I get these right;
"the worst night on CPAP is better than the best night without it"
and
"I will succeed"

sir_cumference · Post by **sir_cumference** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 1:19 pm

I noticed some improvements right away, however, the real benefit kicked in for me at about 1000 hours on APAP. After that it has been all about finally getting my life back to how it should be (or at least a lot closer than it has been for a very long time). Bear with it, 1000 hours may sound a lot, but when compared to the rest of your life, it's nothing.
sir_c

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:05 pm

Ah! our humorous friend Sir_C has returned!!! But to our poster, avgeo.....As was once said 'with every breath you take'........It may just sneak up on you when you're looking the other way, too.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:06 pm

Success How To:

1. Read as many posts as you can.

2. Fill in your profile and become part of the group, there is strength in numbers.

3. If your machine supports data reports, get the software up and running. you need to see how your treatment is going, twice a year or more of the Dr. guessing doesn't cut it.

4. Don't get discouraged, Some find relief quickly, some take longer, and sometimes that their treatments fault, sometimes it's lack of resolve. It took a long time for us to learn what was wrong, it didn't happen overnite, chances are recovery won't be overnight either. Repairing the damage takes time, usually it comes in little steps. We have to keep learning what works for us, all are different, but if we keep our spirits up and don't accept defeat, we will live better lives.

5. Just waking up to another morning, isn't such a bad reward.

Jim

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:28 pm

I've been on CPAP since mid-January. For a while I thought the machine had blown my brains out of my ears because I couldn't focus during the day. Far from the overnight miracle that some have experienced, I started noticing little things, I stayed awake in a chair through the 10:00 news, got more done in the afternoons at work, got a few languishing home projects done. Then I took a week off CPAP while in a relatively primitive living situation working on a volunteer reconstruction project on the Gulf Coast. I yearned for my mask and blower every day that week. Relatively undetectable changes became obvious while backsliding (I wouldn't recommend this "test").

I am noticing more energy every day to get out and hike or get something done. So you may have to see if some little things are different in your life. Its funny that once you notice a few, more and more seem to happen. Relax, accept this is the way it is, and enjoy every day... And ditto the rest of the advice you have received.

_________________

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Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:52 pm

500+ hours since 1/28/06 and like a number of other folks I notice small incremental changes after an initially dramatic quick response. A little more energy, a little less irritability, not so much of a requirement to nap on weekends. One big benefit (touch wood!) is that I have not had a severe headache since being on the xPAP and that is a big change. Another big benefit is pretty much sleeping, or being in bed, through the night - many fewer night time trips to the loo. One final thing I am noticing is that joint pain has gotten much less (I am way too heavy and somewhat arthritic). I was taking way too much Ibuprofen with increasing frequency because of joint pain and headaches and that consumption is way down.

Keep on truckin', I am confident it will get better for you as well. I suspect I have an enormous sleep deficit to catch up on, if I can, and it will keep getting better.

SB

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 3:37 pm

It sure seems to vary. When I 1st went on xPAP in mid 2005 (straight CPAP) I was leaping tall buildings & kissing babies & seemed ready to start raising the dead. Then things quietened down. It was one hell of a ride there of a while

I strongly suspect our reactions to xPAP vary greatly depending on aspects of who and what we as individuals are. Some people do seem to get kicked along by what we call 'cpapers high' while others notice a steady and constant improvement. A few don't seem to notice anything

Good luck

DSM

bikeopener · Post by **bikeopener** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:38 pm

I too wonder when I will see results. When I went on this thing, everything I read and learned about using the CPAP said I would wake up refreshed, sleep through the night, not be tired during the day, MY BLOOD PRESSURE WOULD COME DOWN, I would loose weight. What I learned made it sound like this was the "magic pill" that would make my life better. I have been using my CPAP for 6 months. I get probably 6 hours of good sleep now, unless my mask leaks. I don't have to get up 5-6 times a night to use the bathroom. My co-worker says she thinks I seem a little more alert. I fall asleep within 1-3 minutes instead of lay awake for 1-2 hours. I see the Dr. in a month about my BP and depression (I have a family history of high blood pressure) I am still grumpy and cannot remember much in the short term. My nasal mask break one night and did not get a good night's sleep. After that experience, I worry about not sleeping with my machine. I guess I've seen some results, but am disappointed that I have not seen more.

Still gonna keep going - Mike

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:08 am

It would be nice if CPAP would immediately fix everything; but it took years to develop OSA, and it can also take time to fine tune the treatment. If you sleep better in bed, and are less inclined to fall asleep in the wrong place, like at work or while driving, then CPAP is working, and you should be able to find ways to make it work better. With me, I had to get nasal congestion and mask leaks under control before CPAP would work well. I'm still working on proper sleep habits--not eating close to bedtime, going to bed on time and the like. I also hope to feel better once I have lost more weight.

avgeo · Post by **avgeo** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 2:56 pm

Thanks for the responses folks. I have noticed that my wake up, wander the house, try to do something useful episodes are diminishing. CPAP and now really good news that I need throat and nasal surgeries.
I think maybe someone did some rotten things, using my name, and this is payback time!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:04 pm

avgeo

Are they REALLY sure that you need those surgeries?

Are you having trouble breathing with the CPAP?

Den

avgeo · Post by **avgeo** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:06 pm

Wulfman,
Looks like it. Two ENT's say the same thing. cpap helps some but congestion is still bad. Drugs, inclined sleep position, walking around for a while, help also but are not good fixes. Now that I think about it, I forgot to ask if the surgery fixes the breathing cessation thing.

Avgeo

When does something good happen?

When does something good happen?

good Things