When does it start getting better?

[jeh]

This form has just about kept me sane the last few weeks!! My problem at the moment seems to be that I feel much, much more tired since I started using the mask (just over 3 weeks now), in fact if anything I am more exhausted and virtually zombielike, not very convenient with a husband and 2 girls to look after. The mask fits ok and I have got used to sleeping with it now, in fact I quite enjoy not waking up with a dreadful dry throat every day, but am hoping someone can give me some encouragement that maybe it will get better soon???

[LDuyer]

Great topic question. Hope lots of people reply for you.

I've only been on the mask about a month or so. I've felt better, but still have issues with the mask and still need to feel better. As for me, my doctor (and test results) said I am extremely on oxygen, presumably from years of apnea and its toll. Just a couple of days ago, I've started with oxygen added to my treatment (now I really do feel like a patient!).

Do you know the results of your sleep test? You might post them, as there are forum members who are very knowledgable on what the numbers mean and can give great suggestions. Is your doctor open in discussing your problems? Have you had followup visits? Everyone tells me to not expect miracles overnite necessarily, especially if your body has suffered a long time with sleep apnea without you knowing it. Seems everyone is different, but it is important to understand your sleep study results. Who knows, maybe the machine needs adjusting or something. Some people see results right away or soon. I'm hoping it happens for you too. The worst thing you can do is stop. (god knows I've been scolded for skipping the treatment for even one night!) Ha!

Good luck to you, and keep us posted.

Linda

[ttjones]

I started on the Internet last evening after checking multiple sources and was very happy to see this Newsletter. Jan.5th will be three weeks for me on C-Pap following a hospital sleep study and a preliminary diagnosis of Obsructive Sleep Apnea. I am 55 year old male who has been experiencing noticable increasing fatigue over the past 5 years. My wife and I have slept in separate bedrooms for almost 30 years due to my snoring, so I expect that I have had OSA for longer than 5 years, but the fatigue has been newer event.
I had just one question that is unanswered. Hopefully, on the 5th and my three week consult I will get an answer, here it is: My fatigue seems less, but I feel more tired. I am now sleeping thru the nite with the machine and awake as though I am hung over from a sleeping pill. This is not going away and I look forward to going to bed in anticipation of good rest that will relieve this feeling of being tired, but it hasn't changed. I have called my physicians office with this question;
"It feels as though my body is so unused to rest that it has decided to let me feel tired until it catches up, is this accurate-does the body need to recapture some of the years of lost sleep?"
They are unable to answer this, at least over the phone, is anyone on this newsletter better informed on this issue? I like the machine, but if this is a lifelong need, it would be nice to know if the tiredness is a side effect or I should check out other issues. Any ideas. Thank You.

[BetterBreathinBob]

Knowledge is power in everything we do. 1 or 2 nights in a sleep lab doesn't always mean success. Very possible that your AHI numbers on the report look alright but you may have felt that you didn't sleep well in the lab during the titration.
Important things to ask your physician, did I get the good delta sleep during my titration? Did I have a good sleep efficiency percentage on the test? Maybe the events were fixed but not all the awakenings and sleep arousals.

Keep asking questions and change physicians if they won't share the sleep report with you.

Bob

[captcpap]

I am having many of the same problems being described. I was hoping this would be the fix and life would be golden. However, I feel like I am awake all night. The quality of sleep may be better but I am not sleeping much. I am on my third mask which is more comfortable and doesn't cause the soreness I had. The redness on my face is somewhat better too. I also have a problem with a very dry mouth which also wakes me up. I have the humidifier and have increased the heat but I still get dry. Any help would be great. I feel worse than I ever have phsyically and emotionally. My wife found this forum for me and it has helped to hear others struggle too.