My own personal update...

[motogary]

Well, I've been doing this CPAP thing for about 2 1/2 months now and I'd like to share a few things. First, it's no "silver bullet". I wasn't transformed overnight or anything like that. I do, however, sleep through the night now, and wake up feeling better than I have in a long time. I also have more energy and don't feel tired after lunch anymore. Sue says she hasn't heard me snore since I started this. I average about 5 1/2 hours on the CPAP per night (according to the machine), 7 nights a week, though there's been a few nights when I fell asleep before putting it on and slept through the night. Most nights I put it on at bedtime, awaken around 4AM and take it off, roll over and sleep 'til my regular wake up time (around 5:30). It's been constant tweaking, changing the setup of the hose, playing with the pressure (don't tell the doc), adjusting humidity and temp settings, and any other thing I could think of. I guess my point is, you have to work with it, keep plugging away, and don't give up. I'd like to thank all of you here, for it is here I learned that this is an ongoing "work in progress" and I "re-evaluate" my sleep everyday and make changes when and how I can.

[RipVW]

Yes, motogary, this does take time. At least you found this forum sooner than many (took me over a year of bad results before I found cpaptalk.com). And, like you, had to experiment with all of the variables to find my sweet spot and right mask/equipment. Good that you recognize that this is no silver bullet, that it takes time. Eventually, it WILL be worth it! Believe me, once everything starts working as it should, the results are remarkable! Good luck!

[kteague]

MotoGary,
Thanks for that report, and for your example of perseverance. I'm still waiting to get enough hours sleep without forcing myself to lay there tossing and turning just so my numbers won't look so bad. Sometimes it does actually result in more sleep and I get to wake up pleasantly surprised. Congrats on all the tweaking to make this work for you. Once you master that last bit of the morning you may be talking about that bullet. At 2.5 months in, you've made great strides.
Kathy

[rested gal]

Excellent message, Gary. You're absolutely right about it being a work in progress. Glad to hear you're feeling so much better.

One little thing... about this...

Most nights I put it on at bedtime, awaken around 4AM and take it off, roll over and sleep 'til my regular wake up time (around 5:30).

I'd modify that to read:

"take it off, roll over, and suffocate 'til my regular wake up time"

Really, you're doing great to be as consistent about your treatment as you've been. There's just that last not-so-small thing about how we usually have our longest REM cycle near morning. REM is when the most apneas hit most people.

Your post is very encouraging to others who might not be getting the good results you're seeing. I agree with Kathy:

Congrats on all the tweaking to make this work for you. Once you master that last bit of the morning you may be talking about that bullet. At 2.5 months in, you've made great strides.
Kathy

[motogary]

I usually get to bed about 10PM. I've been waking around 5AM for as long as I can remember. Haven't used an alarm clock in probably 20 years. The only reason I take it off is because I can't get back to sleep until I roll onto my side, and only the last few mornings have I figured out how to do that with the mask on and no problems. My wife also complains that when it leaks, it sounds like there's a shop vac in bed with us.

But I'm workin' at it.

The next issue I see on the horizon is the fact that summer is coming and I take lots of weekend (2-3 night) trips, mostly on my motorcycle. I'll have to figure out how to pack and transport the machine (I did purchase a new rear rack for my bike "But honey, this is a medical expense, not a performance upgrade!"), etc.

[rested gal]

the last few mornings have I figured out how to do that with the mask on and no problems.

THERE ya go!!

But I'm workin' at it.

You sure are!

(I did purchase a new rear rack for my bike "But honey, this is a medical expense, not a performance upgrade!"), etc.

Yeah, yeah, yeah...riiiiight.

[alnhwrd]

Excellent post.

Welcome to the forum! Congratulations on making your therapy the success that it is. The key is your, "don't give up" attitude, coupled with your willingness to keep on tweaking (could that be the new cpap motto?) to find what works.

Have you tried any different masks? Being able to sleep that last hour and a half may just be a matter of trying something different. Just a thought. Also, there are a couple of battery packs out there that will run your cpap all night. Here's one:

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/CPAP. ... Cable.html

Good Luck!

[dieselgal]

I agree with Rested Gal, if you are taking off the mask then going back to sleep you are putting yourself at risk. You can still stop breathing in that last hour and die.

[motogary]

UPDATE...
I've been sleeping and using CPAP through the night now, and more importantly, I awaken in the morning and it takes several moments for me to realize I'm still wearing the CPAP. I've had a few bouts with SEVERE dry mouth during the night. I guess my mouth falls open , but the last week or so have been cottonmouth-free. I don't use the ramp feature, as it makes me feel as though I'm suffocating. I've adjusted the pressure up and down and am presently .5 above what the doc had it set at. I've got the humidity set low, as if I raise it one level, I'm drowning 1 hour after bedtime. I've also started using saline gel on my nostrils to promote a better seal. Works and smells better than the wheel bearing grease I tried originally .

[Goofproof]

UPDATE...
I've been sleeping and using CPAP through the night now, and more importantly, I awaken in the morning and it takes several moments for me to realize I'm still wearing the CPAP. I've had a few bouts with SEVERE dry mouth during the night. I guess my mouth falls open , but the last week or so have been cottonmouth-free. I don't use the ramp feature, as it makes me feel as though I'm suffocating. I've adjusted the pressure up and down and am presently .5 above what the doc had it set at. I've got the humidity set low, as if I raise it one level, I'm drowning 1 hour after bedtime. I've also started using saline gel on my nostrils to promote a better seal. Works and smells better than the wheel bearing grease I tried originally

Don't use that Lithium based kind of wheel brg grease, get that old military yellow kind, the kind that pulls a string when you pull your finger out. Jim

That lithium is too thin. Nothing like the smell of Diesel Fumes in the morning.

[Fredman]

motogary, I am a side sleeper and had the darnedest time with masks leaking when I slept on my side because when I did the pillow pushed the mask in a way that made it leak.

You will have to eventually need to purchase a new mask, let me recommend the ResMed Mirage Activa mask. It doesn't require that you tightly strap it to your face and is designed to move slightly side to side to accommodate side sleepers. The masks uses the air floor and the flange you see is like a bellows and creates a vacuum effect as best as I can describe it. I love this mask I have tried 4 others before finding this one. My DME will allow me to try a mask for a couple of nights before deciding to buy one.

http://www.resmed.com/en-us/products/ma ... u=products


[/url]

[Fredman]

Okay I will stop, but really anyone that hasn't tried this nasal mask - try it! See if you can get a demo for a night at least...right from ResMed's site:

Mirage Activa™ Nasal Mask
Automatically adapts and seals

If you move a lot when you sleep and experience mask leaks as a result, try the Mirage ActivaTM nasal mask.

The Mirage Activa uses ActiveCellTM Technology to automatically adapt to the changing positions of active sleepers. It allows the mask frame to move independently of the cushion, which helps the cushion stay in place and maintain a seal during active sleep.

I guess when we find a mask that works, it's worth its weight in gold!