What can I expect using cpap

theo23 · Post by **theo23** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:51 pm

I get my cpap Wednesday. The nurse at the sleep study said I had apnea pretty bad and using a cpap might be a life changing event.
I'm 48 and have acclimated myself to the results of having apnea.

I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me the changes in their life after they started sleeping using the cpap.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:00 pm

no more snoring

no more drooling while asleep

no more getting up 4 or 5 times a night to visit the bathroom

no more chronic headaches

no more chronic aching muscles

no more chronic fatigue

decreased heart attack risk

decreased stroke risk

decreased sinus allergies

improved blood pressure

improved libido

improved feeling of restfullness from sleep

more energy

enhanced weight loss

... and lots more dreaming

- roberto

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:04 pm

The return of dreams is most interesting...

Lee Lee · Post by **Lee Lee** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:11 pm

My depression went away. So did my high blood pressure, along with my debilitating body aches. I started laughing again, and having fun with my family. I remembered why I used to like my job, and started looking forward to going every day.
I lost 45 pounds and my skin got it's old glow. My husband and I re- kindled our romance
I started feeling like exersising and I now walk 3 miles everyday and love it.
I take a tiny fraction of the meds I use to take. My pharmacy and doctor bills decreased dramatically.
I am now in remission from my Lupus, and my Asthma is gone.
I feel like it saved my life.

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:19 pm

Ditto on what Roberto said!

I can't believe all of the strange dreams I've been having. It's like my brain is making up for all that I've been missing by not getting a decent REM stage.

I'm looking forward to the enhanced weight loss. I do have to say that I am literally BOUNDING out of bed at 5 a.m. and hitting the fitness center. The two minute drive is no longer a chore even.

I haven't had any caffeine for about three weeks without even MISSING it. Although I did have a longing for a Diet Dr Pepper last weekend when I was eating my peanut butter toast.

I've also been able to easily drink three quarts of water a day -- although that's probably because I'm so dried out from the CPAP. (And that's with the humidifier being set at the highest level.) I guess I've become one with my toilet - but not like I was in college.

Kimberly

kavanaugh1950 · Post by **kavanaugh1950** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:57 pm

hey dreamstalker I'm jealous, I'm still DROOLING!!!! pat

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:59 am

kavanaugh1950 wrote:hey dreamstalker I'm jealous, I'm still DROOLING!!!! pat

Probably cuz you are a mouth breather. If you do not breathe though your mouth when you are awake ... there is a chance you can train yourself to not mouth breathe while asleep.

- roberto

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:36 am

Ditto on what everyone is saying but don't get too hooked to a timeline or insist on an immediate turn around. I think for many folks the immediacy of response is quite variable. For me I experienced immediate results that then leveled out, backed up a little and only now, after 8 months of consistent therapy am I beginning to see a really consistent rise in energy levels, stamina and emotional health.

More immediate responses were increased libido, enhanced dreaming (these two comments are not adjacent by accident), decreased bathroom trips, drastically fewer headaches (I still get some occasionally), improved concentration (there was a falloff after immediate improvement), improved memory (ditto) and a slight to moderate increase in my overall sense of well being. In the last several weeks there has been dramatic improvement in energy and focus.

David

hornplayer · Post by **hornplayer** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:36 pm

Hi Theo:

One of the benefits of CPAP I've enjoyed the most is I'm much more sociable than I used to be. I used to be very reclusive on the weekends. I felt so bad, I didn't want to be around anybody. Now-I'm on the golf course every weekend. I usally play with people I meet at the course.

I bet you will find that you have the energy to embrace life in a new way too.

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:36 am

Everyone seems to be accenting the positive, which is not a bad thing, but there are also certain frustrations which you will experience. Finding the right mask, working with DMEs or buying outright questions, finding the right sleeping position, wearing the mask alllllllll night, finding the right mask for you, dealing with DMEs, dealing with insurance companies and quite a few frustrations I'm sure I left out. By the way, did I mention finding the right mask?? LOL

Yep, you WILL notice a positive difference in how you feel, hopefully soon, provided you are compliant. But be aware that there will be some almost overwhelming frustrations also associated with your treatment. The good news is that once you start feeling better by using your CPAP, you'll be better able to deal with all the BS than before.

Best of luck!

TXKajun

This therapy WORKS!!! In spite of the DMEs, insurance companies and other frustrations!

Machine	Mask	Humidifier

What can I expect using cpap

What can I expect using cpap

cpap life changes