Newbie - Up and down

[Jbc1975]

I was diagnosed with central sleep apnea. Im in my first week of CPAP treatment. The first three days were AMAZING! I had no idea how horrible sleep apnea made me feel. I felt 10 years younger after starting CPAP. But, after those first three days I noticed the morning grogginess had returned. Also the fatigue returned but on a much milder level the pre-CPAP. Even with the return of the morning grogginess and fatigue, I much prefer the CPAP therapy. Its a night and day difference. Around the time the grogginess returned I noticed I struggled throughout the night with leaks (full face mask) mostly on the side of my nose. Im not sure why the leaks weren't there the first three days (or at least I didn't notice them). I found myself tightening the mask enough to remove the leaks although I think its over tightened at that point (skin bulges around the straps). I have a few questions for anyone who wishes to share their experience:

Is this feeling increased energy/euphoria normal in the beginning of treatment?
Am I still getting effective treatment even with leaks throughout the night? I would think treatment with leaks is better than no treatment.
If I were to fix the leak issue would I go back to feeling absolutely awesome?
Is there a risk to over tightening the mask? While tightening is not comfortable, its the only thing that seems to minimize the leaks.

[Julie]

What mask are you using?

[Jbc1975]

Im using the Resperonics Amara gel full face mask.

[123.Shawn T.W.]

How big are the leaks? For how long?

Can you post a screen shot of the leak line?

[Pugsy]

Fragmented sleep from messing with the mask or leaks will sure destroy sleep quality and pretty much guarantee not feeling so great during the day.

Anytime sleep is fragmented a lot for any reason we can't expect to feel all that great.

Oh...regarding this question

Is this feeling increased energy/euphoria normal in the beginning of treatment?

Most people don't reach the miracle like you did...I sure didn't.

Post an image of your software detailed report to see if the leaks are impacting therapy itself but we already know they are impacting sleep quality...so they need to be fixed even if not impacting therapy horribly.
Don't know about software? Check out links in my signature line.
Don't know how to post an image of your detailed report? Explained here with examples.
Screen shot thread viewtopic.php?f=1&t=81072&p=737779#p737779

Generally you want to stay below 24 L/min graph line (ResMed S9 machines)...short trips above it aren't the end of the world though. All depends on how far for how long.

[Julie]

FYI - Amara is not considered to be very popular. FYI.

[djhall]

FYI - Amara is not considered to be very popular. FYI.

That is the consensus... though I'm a stubborn exception to the rule. I've used six different masks and the Amara with the gel cushion works the best for me with the exception of the Mirage Quattro when used with a pad-a-cheek liner. Unfortunately, the Mirage Quattro and my fiancee don't get along since it blows her out of the bed when I turn her direction!

[jaye8898]

The first three days were AMAZING!

Is this feeling increased energy/euphoria normal in the beginning of treatment?

I had the same experience when I started CPap the first time back in 2007. I woke up feeling unbelievably good. Euphoria is a perfect way to describe it! I have been hoping for that feeling again but although I felt very rested and refreshed when I started CPap again about a month ago, I have never felt like those first couple of days again...... must be like how drug addicts get that first high and never get to repeat it as long as they live or die. Don't mean to rain on your parade it's just that realistically, I think we are fortunate to get to feel rested......don't know why that happens those first couple of times. From what I've learned here, it doesn't happen that way for everyone.

Best of luck to you!