New CPAP User

[Magicdave]

As a new CPAP user I'd love to share experiences and advice with others. For years I had been battling with daytime tiredness - falling asleep at my workdesk and during meetings, while watching TV in evenings, and generally feeling tired all the time. Finally a sleep study has revealed the extent of my sleep apnea - I was suffering around 66 apneas per hour continuously, and some were lasting at least 30 seconds and more, with my blood oxygen level going down to around 30%. My partner had also observed me stopping breathing and loud snoring.

Last night was my very first night using a CPAP (Resmed Autoset) and full face mask, and although a bit uncomfortable at first I managed to use it for around 3.5 hours before (without really realising it) I had removed the mask and fallen asleep again. Today I have not been sleepy at all - actually feel quite well for a change, but the staggering result is that the machine recorded my AHI i.e. my average apneas per hour as 4.5 !!!!! Now looking forward to getting more used to the machine and, hopefully, feeling a lot better and more awake.

Dave Hawkins

[Madalot]

Welcome to the forum, Dave!

It sounds like you are off to an awesome start!! If you hit any bumps in the road, there are a ton of people here that will help you through.

I look forward to seeing you post!!

[Magicdave]

My sleep nurse seemed to think that my apnea is definitely in the severe category. I assume this has been happening for years - can't imagine the effect the low oxygen level and lack of sleep has been having on my body apart from making me feel tired. At least I now seem to be on the road to recovery.

[DoriC]

Welcome Dave, looking forward to hearing your success story, keep us posted.

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

Welcome to the Forum Dave!

My story is very similar to yours with years of untreated severe Sleep Apnea. If it helps, I must admit that for me it has been a life changing experience since I have been on PAP therapy, hopefully you will find the same . No matter what, be determined to work at this for the long haul because it will put the journey into perspective. Avoid the immediate, pie-in-the-sky results that are so easily touted and sought, but so rarely found. These often bring discouragement and frustration, which no one needs when undertaking something as important as treatment to correct the stopping of our breathing so we survive a nights sleep. Come here frequently and ask anything. There are no dumb questions. All of us here started in the same place, looking wide-eyed at the vast amount of information and even struggling with acceptance.

You can do this, just stay patient and give it time... we are here for you .

John

[Sheriff Buford]

Try taping your mask to your face. You don't need very much... just enough that will awaken you when you try to take your mask off. Use a gentle tape. Duck tape will take your skin off! You might try wearing the mask at night while reading, watching tv or listening to some tunes. This will help you get used to the mask.... it won't take long...Your story is like mine. I am so thankful I got treatment and that I am compliant. I would have not made it without this site. Work all of your issues here and best of luck.

Sheriff

[JohnO]

Welcome, and good luck!

[jweeks]

Last night was my very first night using a CPAP (Resmed Autoset) and full face mask, and although a bit uncomfortable at first I managed to use it for around 3.5 hours before (without really realising it) I had removed the mask and fallen asleep again.

Dave,

Welcome to the forum. This is great news. You did way better than I did on my first night. I was too chicken to even try it the first night, I just sat there and stared at the machine.

Pulling the mask off without realizing it is a pretty common thing at first. Everyone wakes up a few times at night, but not fully awake enough to realize what they are doing. Most people drift back to sleep, while some will even recall the time on the clock. Since the mask is new and is a little awkward at first, you pulled it off. This might just go away for you. If not, there are a few tricks to try to train yourself to not remove it. Give yourself a bit of time.

It is great that you felt better even with only 3.5 hours of sleep on CPAP. There is nothing like a little success to help make the transition go a little more smoothly. Having pre-CPAP O2 levels down in the 30% range is scary bad, so it is lucky that you found this treatment. Now, the biggest thing you need is more sleep time. Do what you can to maximize your sleep on the machine, even if you have to sleep all weekend or take a few days of vacation from work.

-john-

[kaiasgram]

Hey Dave, you rocked your first night! Congrats and welcome to the forum.

[sleepapnea123]

Welcome Dave!I am a pretty new user for CPAP as well, and this forum has been a great source of experiences and knowledge. Congratulations on a great start.

[Magicdave]

Just woken up from second night on CPAP - according to machine I managed 5 hours and AHI of 2.5 !!!! Feeling pretty good this morning too. Will be interesting to see how things go on my first work day tomorrow when I'm usually struggling to stay awake by early afternoon. Only slight side effect last night was a weird dream - thought I had a large insect flying round the room !!! But sleep Dr told me this sometimes happens initially, so not concerned by it.

[Sheriff Buford]

Just woken up from second night on CPAP - according to machine I managed 5 hours and AHI of 2.5 !!!! Feeling pretty good this morning too. Will be interesting to see how things go on my first work day tomorrow when I'm usually struggling to stay awake by early afternoon. Only slight side effect last night was a weird dream - thought I had a large insect flying round the room !!! But sleep Dr told me this sometimes happens initially, so not concerned by it.

You are doing great. I'll bet you'll be able to "kick butt and take names" at work. The dreaming is normal, and should increase as you get into successful therapy. Cpap treatment allows you into the final sleep stage - REM. That's the stage you dream in. Prior to cpap, the apnea prevented REM sleep because it interfered with your sleep and didn't allow REM to occur. This is one reason you felt sleepy and lousy during the day. Prior to treatment, I would get plenty of sleep... too much (9-10 hours a day), but it wasn't "good" REM sleep. The fact you noticed you were dreaming indicated you are on the right track. Be prepared for more dreams. Some bad... some great! Some of them may be a beautiful blonde on the beach and.... well... *looking around*... I'd better stop here.... Work out all your bumps on the road here.

Sheriff

[Magicdave]

Thank you so much to everyone who has commented and offered encouragement. It is VERY much appreciated and I hope, in time, I'll be able to offer advice and help up other newbies.

[Magicdave]

Fourth night on CPAP and managed 4.5 hours before waking up and taking off mask. AHI was 0.8 and feeling really alert. Big test today was going to watch a film (Les Miserables) in cinema. Haven't watched an entire film in years - always fall asleep through most of it. But today ..... didn't feel least bit tired and watched entire film. Brilliant. My partner also says i seem much more energetic and alert. Hopefully I'll eventually be able to spend whole night with mask on, but even now I'd definitely say my CPAP experience has been life changing.

[jencat824]

Welcome to the forum!
You are doing great! My hubby just started CPAP in Dec & I've been on CPAP 13 yrs this week. You are doing fantastic to be seeing benefits already. An AHI of 0.8 is wonderful! Keep up the good work & keep posting.
Jen