OMG I made it through a whole night!!

[kharyssa]

I still can't believe it! Since I started CPAP therapy 12 days ago, I got my first full night of sleep. I made it the whole night!! Hooray!! It feels like Christmas! I slept like a rock, and I have had more energy today than I have in years! And my boyfriend got to sleep well too since I wasn't snoring away.

I would say that I am lucky to have adjusted so quickly (and here's to more fully rested nights) but the fact is that I really owe alot to cpaptalk and you wonderful people!! For one, reading the collective wisdom - and getting so many helpful answers to my newbie questions - really allayed my fears. It has been enormously helpful to read posts from those of you who have struggled through this... and emerged victorious! Knowing what to expect - and that I was not alone - made the whole adjustment period bearable. Thank you all!

Also, being proactive was key as well. And frankly I wouldn't have been so involved without the encouragement I found here. It is so important to read all about the machines and research everything and get through the technology of it all! Just as I wouldn't put a drug in my body without reading the side effects, I would encourage every newbie to really dig into the literature on CPAP. This therapy is such a personal and nightly struggle that leaving all the knowledge to the doctors is just foolish! For example, the sleep doc said I should set the machine for 6.8. After 2 nights of that, I knew it wasn't going to work - I was drooling like crazy because there just wasn't enough pressure to keep my mouth closed. The doc sez: "tape your mouth shut". Uhhhh... ok that may work for some people, but that didn't feel right. After reading about folks here tinkering with their settings and getting it just right at home, I felt my setting was just 'off' and called for more action than taping. Still, I tried a chin strap for a night and it did nothing for me. So I decided to set the machine to 10... after wulfman's help with the manual... and found that I woke up with a really bad dry and sore throat and mouth. Too much LOL. Last night I tuned down to 9.6 and that did the trick perfectly... the nasal pillows didn't leak and tickle my nose all night.... my mouth stayed shut... and my mouth and throat were not sore or dry at all.

And, best of all, I slept through the night! Yay!!! I still can't believe it!

Anyway, I owe all y'all and the site masters many thanks for helping me get through this difficult adjustment period. THANK YOU!!!

To any newbies reading this, don't give up. Keep at it. Yes, you will rip the mask off in the middle of the night in frustration. Yes, you might drool or have cotton mouth... you may look/feel foolish with a taped mouth or a chin strap. Yes, you will think about chucking the whole idea of this therapy more than once. But if you stick with it, the rewards far outweigh the downside. For one, you will be better rested when you wake up. Two, you will reduce the strain on your heart and possibly lower your blood pressure. Three, your partner will sleep better without the incessant snoring. And finally, you will feel better about yourself knowing that you are taking care of your health.

-kharyssa

[OutaSync]

I also appreciate those of you who have found what works for you and are willing to stick around and help those of us who are still struggling. You guys are the best!

[Insomniyak]

Sounds like the elated feeling I felt when I had 8 hrs of sleep the first time since I can remember the other night. 2 weeks in and I know this is working!! I agree with the gratitude for all the info I have received from xPAPers that have gone before us.

Good luck

[echo]

good for you kharyssa ! glad to hear you're making such good progress, and you owe it all to yourself for being so proactive and involved! yay we've got another hosehead convert!

[johnnygoodman]

wohoo!

[Lee Lee]

I am sooooo happy for you! It's
the best feeling when you master something and it pays off like this. You are on your way to a happier healthier life.
Now, I'm going to rain on your parade just a little bit. Don't take it wrong.
You will find that there are good nights and bad. Even the most experienced of us have bad nights. You'll think you're doing every thing just the same, and still, you will have a bad night. The mask will get old and leak, the temp in the room will fluctuate, the filter needs changed, any number of little things.
This therapy thing takes a lot of tweaking and practicing.
My message is not intended to discourage you, but to prepare you for the inevitable.
And when it happens, just pull yourself up, dust yourself off, and go for it again.
It gets better and better. Congrats on your persistance.
All the best,
Lee Lee

[carbonman]

I still can't believe it! Since I started CPAP therapy 12 days ago, I got my first full night of sleep. I made it the whole night!! Hooray!! It feels like Christmas! I slept like a rock,
-kharyssa

kharyssa, hugh congrats.

Tonight will be my 11th night, on the hose.
I haven't had your success, yet.
Maybe my 12th night will be my first full night of sleep.

Thanks! for sharing your success.

[alnhwrd]

Great post! Thanks for sharing your success!

[Tired Eyes]

kharyssa:

congratulations! that's wonderful news and very encouraging. I'm heading into my fourth week and still cannot keep the mask on for more than about 3 1/2 to 4 hours. I tried playing around with different headgear to no avail. I don't know if I'm pulling the mask off, or moving around and it's coming loose. Seems like after I wake up, I can't get back to sleep with it on. It's frustrating to say the least, and I'm sure others relate.

Your message provides hope and encouragement, so thanks for posting and here's wishing you continued success and rested nights.

Tired Eyes

[tangents]

Congratulations, Kharyssa! Your attitude is making all the difference in the world. The willingness to try new things is the key to keeping yourself comfortable and your therapy working.

I agree completely with Lee Lee, too. This is a journey, not a destination.

Keep on Hosin'!

Cathy

[kharyssa]

Now, I'm going to rain on your parade just a little bit. Don't take it wrong.

Definitely not taking the wrong way! I appreciate your concern... and the reality check.

Last night was pretty good - woke up once, ripped off the mask and fell asleep. But then, as I was falling back to sleep, I heard myself snoring! So I put the thing back on and went the rest of the night. Good nights and not so good nights, as you said.

I am sooooo not discouraged though - I haven't had this much energy in a long time. Today was the first day i haven't needed a 4 hour nap in the afternoon. I am really pleased with the treatment (as crummy as it can be) and will definitely tough it out through the bad nights so I can enjoy the good ones.

[Organplayer]

Honey, it only gets better. Sticking with it will continue to increase your energy level.

Good for you,
Kevin

[shinyhaid]

I agree.Stick with it! After a couple of nights struggling with my new Swift LT mask, I woke up at midnight last night, once again being blasted by one of my nasal pillows that had slipped out of my nostril. I ripped the mask off and swore that I was returning it today, sleep apnea or no sleep apnea. after fuming about an hour (and, yes, almost crying because I was a hopeless case), a little voice said to try it again. I put it back on and the next thing i know, my alarm clock is going off and I felt wonderful! Hey, if that is what you folks are talking about, I'm sticking with it! ':D'