New to CPAP, Doing OK I think?

[SharkbaitOohHaHa]

Hi all I'm Melissa.

I have been tired my whole life. Since middle school (I'm 32 now), napping has been one of my favorite activities. However until around two years ago, I was at least still functional most of the time. In these past two years the exhaustion has taken over my life. I assumed it was associated with my depression, but my depression is treated successfully, and still tired. I was put on thyroid meds - my energy level didn't increase. I started supplements - nothing changed. Finally my psych sent me to a sleep doc and in the span of two weeks I did the PSG, found out I had Sleep Apnea (I guess obstructive? I need to ask for the report), and got a loaner CPAP for the next month.

The machine is a F&P Icon, and my mask is the Swift FX for Her. I've had no problems with either, just getting used to them. My pressure is currently at 7. I was supposed to start at 8, but when I had trouble exhaling the doc said I could start at 6 and work my way up.

Last night was my third night sleeping with the CPAP machine. For the first two nights I slept ok until 4am or so, but then took the mask off after I went to the restroom. Last night I went to sleep with the mask on at 12:30am-ish, and though I did wake a few times, I did not take it off until I was ready to get out of bed.

I'm encouraged, as I can definitely see myself getting more accustomed to sleeping with the mask on. I didn't even notice the airflow, the few times I woke up (whereas the nights before it had occasionally felt like drowning a bit).

That said, I've been tired for so long - and even now, I could get back in bed and go to sleep. I know this differs for everyone, but how long does it usually take to start feeling better? I am so very much looking forward to being able to make it through the day without thinking nonstop about the next time I can sleep.

I ordered a pulse oximeter to wear as well, as I have very shallow breathing even when awake, so I'd like to see what my levels are with those. When it comes time to get my own machine, I would like to get the S9 Autoset for Her (it's pink. Yes, I'm a bit shallow - I love pink) for its features as well as data capability.

All that text to say - I know I'm in this for the long haul. I don't dread the mask or machine, I don't worry about it, I've accepted it - I just want to know when I'll start feeling better, ya know? My doc said that if after this first month I'm not significantly more alert in the daytime he'll put me on something like Provigl (sp?) or an amphetamine, but I guess I'm hoping that won't have to happen.

Any advice for newbie me? Any words of encouragement? I'm so very glad this forum is here - I've read through the newbie threads that are posted at the top of the forum and I felt so much better afterwards. Thank you all in advance.

[andy5805]

I've been on machine for 3 weeks, I'm really starting to feel the energy boost - week 1 on the machine was also excellent, week 2 a fight, week 3 beginnings of consistency. for me it gets exciting when things I used to do but struggled at, I can do again, or things I can still do, I can do faster. Or like now, how I've been up 14-15 hours and am still razor sharp. I cannot put into words the excitement I get sometimes when I just catch myself doing something at twice the speed or learning something where I'd struggle before. Or coming out with something creative. Every so often at work, I catch myself happy not wishing the day would end so I could be in bed. I think - if this is now only three weeks in, what is it in three months? What I do is remember each time, so I know for next time I'm down or doubting, scarily good things are happening and I've already witnessed them, it's in the bank, may it inspire me for the next time.

I think for me, and others have their own take, but for me the rest comes when its a routine and consistent. I really let go this week on the machine and just slept as if the mask wasn't there. I guess the upshot of that, the net gain at the end of this week is I feel rested, alive, and very well.

So for me the relief came quite quickly after I started taking therapy seriously, and when I started appreciating that this was really doing something at a very deep level for the basic mechanics of how I run. I'd urge you stick at it because there is a moment you know its working, I didn't stick at it for years. I was uneducated on the subject and too quick to quit, or rather, too afraid to not quit in case it made my sleep worse and put me in a car wreck. I'm very happy with a bit of application and work, to be at this turning point excited for the future.