A miracle has happened - CPAP works !!

[Spirit]

Hi Everyone,
I've been absent for a long time, been super busy with life, but wanted to share, the wonderful news of cpap treatment, I've been experiencing the past few weeks. The beginning was very rough, after weeks of adjustments, feeling fatigued, I tried autoset on the cpap. A miracle has happened, my energy level slowly began increasing, now I have no fatigue at all !!!!!!! My energy level, did a major boost in the past month. So, very difficult to describe the transition, but now I am falling into deep REM sleep, my dreams are getting longer, I wake up feeling refreshed, sleep solid 8-9 hours consistently everynight, no disturbance, mask, hose, leaks, apnea, everything working like a charm. . My ResScan data illustrates how my sleep hours, increased over time.

A few months ago, I was bedridden with no energy, complaining up a storm at the forum, now I'm putting in a full active 8-10 hour day. I feel energized, a new awakening, new burst of energy, a new life. My sleep pattern has corrected itself as well, used to be an all night insomniac, now I go to bed early, wake up early. Now, I can sleep peacefully without a zillion events going through my mind.

So for all you newbies that read this, do not be discouraged, do your best to be patient, cpap treatment takes time, lots of adjustments, education and forum visits. Do not be afraid to try different masks. Finally found, the one that works great for me. Lots of super support here at the forum, to help you right along.

Would like to thank everyone, that supported me throught my journey. I am scheduled for eye surgery next week (Strabismus), once again thanks to the support of the forum, my eyes will be correct soon. So forum assist in non cpap issues as well.

Wish I could share alot more, but don't want to write a book, Lol !! Wanted to share, life is wonderful and thanks everyone.

[pdean44]

Woot ! congrats that is great news!

[SleepyT]

It certainly IS great news! Congrats, Spirit!

[OceanGoingGal]

Love to hear these stories!!! Congratulations.

Laura

[oldestof12]

Dear Spirit,
I have been on CPAP for almost 2 months now. I have been WAITING to be able to say all the good things you have experienced. However, I am still on the "weeks of adjustments, feeling fatigued, etc." I see you are using the same machine as me...and I have both the Quattro full-face and the Activa LT nasal mask. My prescribed pressure is 11. I keep waking up; I've developed insomnia and have became sensitive to the least bit of noise. I now wear earplugs every night. I HAVE improved my sleep hygiene--spending 8 hours in bed, even though awake. I've cut caffeine to one cup of decaf/day in the morning only; eliminated glass of wine with dinner. I can relate to "a zillion events going through my mind". My sleep doctor says, "I need to relax".
I wear the Activa LT nasal mask because I don't have the leakage I get with the Quattro and I was having to wear a chinstrap anyway. I decided a smaller mask with no leaks + a chinstrap + earplugs is the way to go. I experience a LOT of belly air which sometimes feels like a "sour burp" in the middle of the night. I keep a Rolaid on the nightstand and add another pillow to elevate my head. Through this forum, I've also learned to deal with the rain-out, stuffy nose and other sleep-stopping issues.
I find I need to not only keep my mouth closed during sleep, but keep my lower jaw pushed back. The Topaz Adjustable Chinstrap accomplished that, but I still am awakened occasionally by "air puffs" in my mouth. Lately, I've been waking at 5 a.m. even though I don't need to get up until 7.
I cannot relate to your pre-CPAP existence...I felt FINE, except for some daytime sleepiness and a rumor that I snored sometimes at night. I long for those carefree days and sleep-filled nights with no confining gear on my head.
However, due to a new primary care physician and my insistent RT, RPS daughter I had a sleep study in late March. Much to my amazement, my AHI was 30. After weeks of struggle even trying to get the data from my machine downloaded I went to another DME who mostly handles ResMed cpap's. My AHI is finally 4. I like my ResMed Autoset II S8 cpap and I am curious about your statement, "I tried autoset on the cpap". HOW DO YOU DO THAT? Is it really the magic bullet?
Good luck with your eye surgery and thanks for sharing.

[BlackSpinner]

Great for you getting it all working! I remember how discouraged you were at first!
Congratulations!

[elena88]

wow spirit, congratulations..

your story sounds like the end of the rainbow all of us newbies are searching for!

oldstuff, i know how you feel!

I guess our yellow brick road journey has not ended, I , for one cant wait to burn the apnea witch to get to where you have been spirit!


I FEEL IM GETTING CLOSER..... I can see the Emerald City on the horizon1

I want to get to that place of the "well rested", where people have no dark circles under thier eyes!

Here is to clicking heels and hoping it happens soon! Not giving up!

[DoriC]

Spirit, you're one of our great success stories and you should be so proud of yourself! You're an inspiration. I admit I was worried about you at first but I'm glad you've proven me wrong! Keep us posted.

[resistance]

Congrats, that's wonderful news! I could feel your energy even when reading your post And just when ı needed to hear a story like yours:
viewtopic/t52379/MY-FIRST-PROBLEMTAKING ... K-OFF.html

Well I am new to CPAP and have some problems.. But I feel more hopefull now, thank you.

[KatieW]

Wonderful news Spirit! You struggled, but persevered, and finally got it! Yes, cpap works, and I'm so glad to hear your news.

[carbonman]

Hi Everyone,
life is wonderful.

Spirit, what a great post.
I was concerned that you would pull yourself out....
but you have.

An inspirational story for you and so important that you share it,
for newbies.

It does work and it is a miracle,
to have your life back.

Congrats!

[Muse-Inc]

Wow Spirit, I was so concerned so you, you were so discouraged for so long and nothing seemed to be going right and now this great news! I am so glad you posted your story! Congrats for hanging in there and keeping on keeping, one step at a time even if it was just faith in what all of us were telling you!!!

[Janknitz]

Spirit, way to go! Congratulations on feeling the benefits--it really does help you keep going!

Oldestuf said:

I experience a LOT of belly air which sometimes feels like a "sour burp" in the middle of the night. I keep a Rolaid on the nightstand and add another pillow to elevate my head.

That sounds like esophageal reflux (GERD) and needs to be attended to. You should check in with your sleep doctor. CPAP has greatly helped my GERD, but others complain that it can make things worse. Anyway, it needs more treatment than elevating your head with a pillow and Rolaids, so be sure to check in with your doctor as unchecked GERD can have serious long term effects.

[popotti]

happy for you, my life is now dying ,
I hope in CPAP

[DreamOn]

Spirit, it's so good to read how well you're doing!!!

I hope you don't mind, but I have pointed several newbies to your past posts, as your turnaround story is so inspiring and illustrates how the challenges of CPAP therapy can be overcome. You are an amazingly strong person to have persevered through all your struggles, with CPAP and otherwise.

I remember that thread about your eye problem very well. I'm happy to hear that the problem was correctly identified and wish you well as you recover from next week's surgery.

By sharing your journey here, you have helped many. I wish you continued success and all the best! Live your dreams and never give up.