Question for Veteran Hosers

TonyB · Post by **TonyB** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:07 am

I have been on my machine for nearly two months and although I have used the machine every night I still have the nagging feeling of inadequacy/or the thought of using it forever. I know its better than the alternative but was wondering if that is a common feeling and once you accept that it gets better. Does it get to a point that wearing a mask at night is the same as putting on glasses during the day?

I also have a question in regard to "sleep debt" I no longer nod off at inopportune times however still feel somewhat groggy during the day. I have seen "sleep debt" mentioned on a number of sites and wonder if anyone can explain it to me and the other newbies out there.

Thanks to all, it sure makes this more manageable with all of your help and guidance.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:15 am

Your profile of equiptment doesn't make any sense, mis-matched parts. If you have software it should help tell you if it's working, if not that's wrong too. Jim

Sleep debt is the result of poor sleep, sometimes it takes 6 months to catch back up.

TonyB · Post by **TonyB** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:05 am

Sorry I think I have the equipment straight now.

jum001 · Post by **jum001** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:14 am

It's been almost a year and I still disliked putting on the mask. Then, about 4 weeks ago, I became very congested and tried sleeping without it. I was astounded when I was totally unable to sleep! I kept waking up and looking at the clock. I now realize that was what my "normal" sleep pattern was before XPAP. I still can't say I am fond of the mask but my dislike of the alternative is very, very strong. That's as honest as I can be and I hope it helps.

Sleepy-eyes · Post by **Sleepy-eyes** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:21 am

I hate the machine. I hate the mask. I hate the inconvenience of the entire process. But I like the numbers I get on my reports in the morning.
They tell me I may live longer and healthier. Not so much worried about the "longer", but the healthier is really encouraging. I'll keep at it.

Don't lose faith in your therapy. It's the results that matter most, not the process.

SleepGuy · Post by **SleepGuy** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:26 am

I'm no medical expert to say the least but from my own experience (and watching my brother) I think that for some people the body and its many systems have made so many accommodations due to getting literally NO sleep at all for years that once you start getting even some sleep, it takes a while for the normal systems and cycles to start working again. Just think about it: you've literally had no sleep since your OSA started--not to mention nightime oxygen deprivation. Your body must have had to make all kinds of adjustments and accommodations just to cope with that.

Now you're suddenly getting real sleep, even if it's only a few hours a night. So it's gonna take some time for things to calm down and normalize.

Some people talk about a "sleep debt" but I'm not sure exactly what they mean. From what I understand about sleep, it's pretty much all on a 24 hour basis--sleeping in tomorrow will not do much to "make up" for sleep missed the night before. That said, it makes sense if "sleep debt" is talking about your body and systems trying to get back in sinc after suffering long-term sleep deprivation.

So stick with it! I always figured that even 1 hour of cpap sleep was worth more than a whole night of apnea, aka the illusion of sleep.

Bones · Post by **Bones** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:31 am

Hi Tony,

For me it's just like putting my glasses on in the morning. I just do it because I need to. About the only thing I find to be a hassle is I usually forget to top up my humidifier before my wife goes to bed and then I have to fumble around pulling the tank off in the dark.

Brian

Rabid1 · Post by **Rabid1** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:31 am

Someone on the forum stated "OSA is a life sentence". That's reality.

If you accept this reality, and play the cards you're dealt, it becomes less of a burden on the mind.

Catnapper · Post by **Catnapper** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:38 am

I have been struggling with this issue lately too. I am just not happy about "cpappy". I manage to get great therapy numbers, so I know something is working and that it will restore and maintain my health. I will be compliant, however I miss the luxurious feeling of sleeping without it. I was more accepting until I had a cold recently and was unable to use the cpap one night. I didn't experience the reaction others have reported where they old way of sleeping was horrible. That one night messed up my attitude, so now I have to readjust it to a more accepting one.

I probably am experiencing a brat-like temper tantrum and will get over it soon. I have been a hosehead for 6 months now, and counting for the rest of my life.

For me it is like the difference between doing an exercise you like, for example walking, and doing something you don't like, such as physical therapy. You have to do it, so get over it. Easier if you can like it. I am not there yet. I am still tired and CRANKY!

Catnapper

Nitro Dan · Post by **Nitro Dan** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 12:42 pm

I've been on CPAP for over 20 years now. I really don't give it much thought anymore. It's become "normal".

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 12:53 pm

TonyB,

I feel your pain. Have a look at

viewtopic.php?p=113298#113298.

Whatever you do, keep hanging in there with cpap.

rooster

S-Dubya · Post by **S-Dubya** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:38 am

For me it comes and goes. I will go for a few months and not give it a thought. Then I will start thinking about how nice it would be to not have a hose attached to my face while sleeping. Usually after a few days it goes away for a few more months. Mostly I just accept it as part of my life; just like contact lenses, seat belts and antivirus software that slows down my computer at inopportune times.

I think that is why I love to try new masks. Its something new. Maybe its better and if not it makes me appreciate my old mask, but its a small change of scenery and that seems to help.

Rafe · Post by **Rafe** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 11:26 am

I recently finished reading a book that I think everyone with OSA (or other sleep disorders) should read. It's called The Promise of Sleep. Among other things, it really explains sleep debt.

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi ... of%20sleep

$10.34

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 11:37 am

I "made peace" with my situation early on. It's been close to two years now and I can't imaging sleeping without it. I don't ever want to go back to feeling like I did before I began therapy.

Hang in there.

Den

sleepyWI · Post by **sleepyWI** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 4:39 pm

At the 2 month point I felt just the same way. I am now at 4 months and I had an interesting experience 3 nights age when I realized I was actually looking forward to putting my mask on! Made me feel a whole lot better about this business.

Mask

Mask	Humidifier