Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.

[patdart]

For me this has been really wonderful...I tried to avoid it for over a year, but when I gave in because of a blood condition, I found wonderful, restful sleep. I truly believe I've had it for many years and after having a small stroke and the workup involved with it, this probably explains much...the scary startled wake ups I've had most of my life, the morning fog, the small headaches I'd awaken with, the lack of energy...etc.

Getting fitted luckily was easy for me. It took a few nights and nose gel for my nose to become toughened enough to not bleed, but that did resolve itself. I found the 'white noise' of my machine to be soothing as was the regular breathing. I've been compliant most nights from the beginning all night long. There have been a few exceptions where I fell asleep before putting my mask on, but when I woke I immediately put it back on. You guys told me to be persistent and I was and now I can't imagine doing without it! Thanks so much and I pray most of the newbies remain persistent also.

[AirForceOne]

I'm new to CPAP...started with my own machine a week ago today. First two nights were horrible (couldn't sleep, blister on bridge of nose, etc.). I have been sleeping longer, but AHI increases every day. During the CPAP study, my AHI was 49 per hour. My machine (for the past 7 nights) shows AHI to be over 14. That's much better than 49, but I was hoping for a lower number. My O2 during the CPAP went to 70%. I'm not sure what it is now. The good: I stopped snoring (full face mask) and don't get up 2X during the night. The bad: I'm just as tired at work as I used to be. I am very encouraged by many of the stories I've read and hope that my treatment improves with time. Not everyone experiences amazing results in a matter of days...I'm still waiting.

[Guest 2]

Ok...here's my story. Haven't slept good in years...thought it was just old age sneaking up on me. Then blood tests showed my body was producing too many red blood cells. Spent over a year and a half getting tested to find out why. Finally a new hematologist and his nurse practitioner thought..."hmmm... maybe she has sleep apnea". Went through the sleep studies twice. (Horrible for me because I couldn't sleep much at all but did get enough sleep to determine, yes, I do have sleep apnea.) Got my CPAP machine and was furious! Now not only did I not stay asleep but it took me hours before I fell asleep (something I didn't experience before). Spent nights crying, angry and wanted to give up! Thankfully, I didn't. I finally had a good night where I slept about 6 hrs straight. I woke up actually feeling refreshed. Then back to several weeks of not doing well. Still did not give up. Now after a little over 2 months of trying, I can honestly say things have turned around. I have actually had nights where I have slept 7-9 hours straight! Even though it may take me 1/2 hour to get to sleep, even if I only get 5 hours, I am much more refreshed than when I used to get 8 hrs sleep without CPAPPY (Yes, I named my machine...at first it was C-CRAPPY but now it is my friend so I changed his name! LOL!) I still wondered...was this making a difference? I knew I was much more alert and my brain much sharper at work, but I still had days when I didn't feel quite refreshed and I still felt sluggish.) Well...went to the Sleep Dr and found out my moderate sleep apnea is being reduced. I went from 21 episodes an hour down to 4) and...the best news of all... when I went to the hematologist, my blood work came back normal!!!!!! I know what a struggle this CPAP journey is for many of us. I know what a stigma you feel you have (and how hard it is to sleep with the machine on when you share a bed with spouse), BUT....I can honestly say, when you can try to relax and laugh about the whole thing, you eventually will get relief also! Yes, the Bible says, "He makes all things beautiful in His time" and the Lord has done that for me with CPAPPY.

[dtsm]

First many thanks to all those who have helped me these first 5 months. I started cpap on January 7 and just completed month 5. I'm happy to report that after trying 4 different masks, tweaking my S8 a zillion times, and taping my mouth for the past 3 months, it looks like I am an addicted hose-head for life.

My numbers can always get better but on average I'm hitting:

1. Ai <2.0, sometimes <1.0 but never gotten a "0" yet
2. Leak <0.10 and often that perfect 0 leak line!

Apap seems to work better than cpap for me, my range is 10.4-13 right now. Sleeping average 7+ hrs nightly, jump out of bed 6+am daily. Finally feeling back to normal

Cheers!

[georgepds]

I had trouble getting started.. would use it intermitantly and tear it off in the middle of the night. The change for me came when I got the software and started monitoring my sleep, and that was thanks to the folks at this forum

Now I use it regularly (sometimes even for naps) The difference is amazing. I no longer feel like crawling under my desk for a nap at work, no longer have to move to the side of the road for a nap on the commute home, and no longer fall asleep at plays. In short, it works for me just as advertised.

[kiapolo]

I just started last night using my BiPap machine...

today I felt so weird! I was expecting the usual morning headaches...gone. I would lay in bed expecting to go back to sleep...nope. Came into work...do I know how 2:30 pm feels? I do now. I am staring at my computer, my mind expecting me to doze off, but my body is not doing what my mind expects (or vice versa)...it just wont doze off like it used to!

My wife had a hard time sleeping...no snoring from me, no tossing and turning, no getting up to use the bathroom...so was kinda freaked out!

[Roe]

Roe
I have been using my Series 9 for over a month now and am really struggling with it. I started of with the nasal mask but have changed to fuller mask. I am not getting any more sleep than I did without the machine and am feeling very tired (probably worse than before using the machine) during the day. I am committed to making this work for me but just wonder how long it will be before I get used to it, if ever. I have a back problem which is made more difficult by having to sleep on my back. I try turning on my side by my husband complains about getting blasted with the air and I get leaks around the masks. any suggestions

[aliyse]

I have been using and loving cpap for 6 years. I think of my mask ( full mask) as my own cozy, private sleeping chamber.
I do not EVER sleep/nap/doze..without it!

[407370]

I just came across this site so I had to comment.

I have had CPAP for about 8 years and it changed my life. I could not understand why I was so tired, angry, depressed..... I am sure the story is familiar.

I was diagnosed by a very clever doctor and within 1 week my energy levels went through the roof, my life just got better. I went to night school and got qualified in computers and now have my own business.

Stick with the treatment it will work.

CHEERS

[luxsit@comcast.net]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this site, but not to CPAP. Been on since 1993.

First six months were the worst, started with full mask, could not stand the breathing out of a paper bag feeling. Tired Ambien, yuck! Did not like it, did not help much. Switch over from full mask to nasal pillows which did the trick.

After a few years, I switch to a nasal mask. Went from Mirage to Vista mask, then a few years back to a Comfort Curve. Like the CC because it's not confining, downside is it had a tendency to slip off in the night. Since my old Supply provider stopped carrying CC, had to switch to a FlexiFit which is ok, but more confining. At least it does not come off by itself.

Recently I found a CPAP Supply company that will ship me supplies every few months (new tubes, headgear, mask cushions, filters. I hate having to remember to call Apria. Now these guys take care of that for me. Very nice. They bill my insurance, my insurance sends me a check, I endorse it and send it to them. No out of pocket cost, except I had to pay $100 for the Resmed S9 elite I am getting in a few days. Not going to post who they are, because 1) have not used them long enough to give a fair evaluation, 2) not sure this is right place. If you want details you can PM me.

Anyway, first, can't imagine now not having my machine. I travel for business so I take it everywhere I go. TSA is ok, as long as you pull the CPAP motor part out of your bag, and put it in a separate bin for them to scan. They don't care about the humidifier. I really could not sleep without it.

Suggestions if you are struggling:

1) Try switching out type of mask. If you are getting soreness, use a little Vaseline around the area before putting on mask.
2) Try using the ramp function.
3) Try using a over-the-counter sleep aid like Tylenol PM
5) If you live in a dry climate, (I live in Denver area), you might need a humidifier. I suggest a heated humidifier. Talk to your Doctor.
6) If your Healtcare team is not analyzing the data from your machine, find out how (this is the place to ask) and start monitoring it yourself.
7) Be patient. Took me a couple weeks to get used to it.
Be consistent.

Regards,
Lux

[fuhrtops]

I've just been on CPAP for two nights. Both nights I have awakened in the middle of the night with my throat so dry I have to drink water which means taking the mask off. Is this common? I do have a humidifier set at 2. Also, sleepiness was not a problem previously but this morning I woke up in a fog. What could cause that? Will it get better with time? I know I'm asking a lot of questions but I'm new. Please bear with me. Thank you.

[DreamStalker]

I've just been on CPAP for two nights. Both nights I have awakened in the middle of the night with my throat so dry I have to drink water which means taking the mask off. Is this common? I do have a humidifier set at 2. Also, sleepiness was not a problem previously but this morning I woke up in a fog. What could cause that? Will it get better with time? I know I'm asking a lot of questions but I'm new. Please bear with me. Thank you.

Try unsing a chinstrap. What is likely happening to you is that the lower strap of your FF mask is jacking you jaw open and forcing you to mouth breathe leading to dry mouth. This may lead to ineffective treatment hence the fog.

THe chinstrap will help keep your jaw shut and hopefully your mouth too. No reason to breathe through your mouth unless your sinuses are congested.

[Sharon1225]

Hi Catnapper,

I probably started developing sleep apnea around 1992. About the same time, I developed chronic fatigue and fibro-myalgia. I felt like I was about to collapse nearly all the time. I continued to work, but I could barely make it through the day and had to fight falling asleep on the way home. I had a couple of sleep studies but the were non-conclusive because I would stay awake after the first apnea episode. Finally, in 2002, I was able to sleep enough in the study to get a diagnosis and a machine.

I no longer have either chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. I can't say that I'm a bundle of energy or that my sleep is perfect. I don't enjoy wearing my machine. The one I have now is not uncomfortable. I wish I didn't have to wear it. If there was a surgery that really worked, I'd get it in a heart beat. I've had one surgery to fix the apnea, but it didn't fix anything.

[love2sleep]

I'd love to share my success story. Here it is:

On a couple of occasions earlier this year I woke from a nap feeling as if I were drowning. I went to see my primary care physician and she immediately prescribed a sleep study for me. Like many people here I was surprised to find out-- after two sleep studies- that I have mild OSA (AHI 10.4 before treatment, 1.7 after treatment). I have always had good energy (work 9 plus hours a day in a demanding job, do an hour or more of aerobic exercise each day) but in the last five years my husband has been complaining more and more about my snoring, which was getting so loud that one of us would sleep on the sofa most nights. I have always needed more sleep than the average bear. Typically I would sleep nine hours a night in addition to weekend naps of one or two hours each. That didn't seem strange to me as I have needed that much sleep since I was a child.

I didn't look forward to using a CPAP but didn't think it would be a problem, either. The first night-- seven weeks ago-- I slept OK with my nasal pillows, but took the mask off before I finished sleeping because it was uncomfortable. The second night was better. I purchased a CPAP pillow so that I could sleep on my side, which is my preferred position. I also experimented with different pillow sizes and found the small worked best. Now I'm usually able to position the mask and pillows in a way that they do not leak and I can sleep well. I use KY jelly on the outside of my nose and Ayre nasal gel inside for the most comfortable fit. I've been 100 percent compliant since day two of my treatment. I will never sleep without my CPAP again.

Not every night is perfect, and some days my energy levels are better than others. But overall there have been lots of benefits for me including:

*lowered blood pressure
*no more snoring
*increased energy levels
*better mood
*better ability to manage stress
*better quality of sleep
*need less sleep (an hour less per night on average)
*no longer desire naps
*less interest in sweet foods
*glowing skin

It's amazing what getting enough oxygen can do for a person!

I'm very grateful this treatment is available and have really enjoyed reading other people's stories. I wish everyone who has OSA could be diagnosed and treated, too. My brother in law is a young man who has OSA and a brother who recently had a heart attack at age 40. My bro in law will not use his CPAP and that is hard for me to hear, because I know what good the treatment can do for those willing to stick it out through the adjustment period. I worry about the undue strain he is putting on his heart and lungs because he refuses to use his CPAP. Not to mention all the noise he's making when he sleeps at night.

Best wishes to all-

[Worcester Guy]

So I have only had my nose to the hose since August 4 and I am still waiting for the burst of energy. I am committed to making this work for me even though it has been far from easy. I often read encouragement that says hang in there, it is worth it. I believe I will someday get there, and that it may take a good while because I have been sleep deprived for many years.

I believe it would help me, and maybe other newbies, to hear the success stories. Something along the lines of before and after would be great. I would particularly like to hear about the moment that made you realize that you were better.

I want to write my own success story one day soon.

This is such a great group. I have felt so welcome and accepted. Thanks.
I needed that. Nobody else understands what CPAP is like.

Joanie - Catnapper

I wondered the exact same thing my first few weeks using my cpap. When was this so called "new found energy," going to come. I found that the cpap alone didn't give me a huge energy boost. But it did give me more energy to exercise which did give me a huge energy boost. I don't know what your lifestyle is right now, but if you are not exercising I suggest you try just 10 minutes or less a day of light walking or anything of that manner. I guarentee you will feel so much better waking up the next morning.

Exercise and cpap make for a new life in my opinion. Without both I would be miserable. This is coming from a 300 pound guy just to let you know. I have a while to go before being in decent shape. But even just 3months into my regular exercise program I feel sooooo much better. It almost makes you sleep and breath better which allows the cpap to work more effectively.