One Year CPAP Anniversary

[KatieW]

One year ago, was my 1st night on cpap. In my titration, my AHI was 55.6, and I was physically exhausted, so I was relieved to have a diagnosis that was treatable.

Thank you everyone! I am so grateful to everyone on this forum, for the support and teaching me about the world of obstructive sleep apnea and how to use cpap therapy. Because I have high deductible insurance, I bought my own equipment from cpap.com, after doing research here. Soon after, I learned about rain out, aerophagia, and other adjustment issues. If I couldn't find the information, I asked, and always received generous and informative answers.

I am one of the lucky ones, with run-of-the-mill OSA which responded quickly and well to cpap therapy. As the fog lifted, I was able to experiment with apap vs. cpap, pressure settings, and lab-ratting masks. I have a supportive husband who tolerated my long hours on the computer with cpaptalk.com, so was able to spend a lot of time here, and it feels like family.

A year later, I am well rested, energetic, pain-free (from osteoarthritis), BP is down, blood sugar is down. Creativity and joy have returned.

I am glad to be part of this forum, and happy to have the opportunity to help others. And I'm not a newbie anymore...right?

[Beachmeezer]

I would have thought much longer than a year! I'ved benefited from your posts - thank you! And, Happy Anniversary! - Kim

[bdp522]

Congrats on completing your first year...an so successfully! You are a fabulous addition to the forum!

Brenda

[rosiefrosie]

Congrats Katie!

rosie

[DoriC]

Happy Anniversary KatieW! It's hard to ever think of you as a newbie but I do remember some of your early posts.

[Junebug999]

WOW what a testimonial to what one year of good treatment can do AND how cpaptalk.com got you there.

Congratulations Katie -- that was inspirational!

Best wishes for your continued success!

[Muse-Inc]

Congrats Katie, way to go! I know you've inspired others!!! And, I also know it's been a challenge at times.

[mars]

I am glad to be part of this forum, and happy to have the opportunity to help others. And I'm not a newbie anymore...right?

Hi Katie

Right

And I agree with Dori when she says -

Post by DoriC on Sun Oct 17, 2010 7:36 pm
Happy Anniversary KatieW!
It's hard to ever think of you as a newbie.................................

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE

Mars

[sister]

Congratulations !!!!!
Thanks so very much for all your help! May GOD BLESS YOU !!!!!!

[GumbyCT]

CONGRATS Katie.... Here's to many more years to come.

Can we call you the ol' lady now

You are a testament to what can be accomplished with a little effort and reading this forum.

I can't help but echo what the others have to say.

Good Job girl!!!!

[sleepyDB]

Hi Katie.....

As someone who is pretty new at all of this, I want to thank you for your inspirational post tonight! I'm just at my 8 week mark so I haven't reached the level of success that you've talked about ....YET. I know I will. Just after this short time, I can say that I'm sleeping much better, stress level is way down, and the fog has lifted.

I do have a quick question for you, though....I think I would be feeling so much better if it wasn't for my Osteoarthritis. You mentioned that you are now PAIN FREE...Can you tell me a bit about that? Do you contribute CPAP for that or have you done something in addition to your sleep apnea treatment for your arthritis?? I would love, love, love to think that this machine might even help with the constant pain in my knees!

Thanks for any help you can offer, and CONGRATULATIONS to you for a whole year of success!

[KatieW]

Thank you for the kind words...I feel like I've received a group hug!

SleepyDB, I have scoliosis (curvature of the spine), so have had severe osteoarthritis which can be seen on x-ray. It's been troublesome for about the past 15 years. I've tried physical therapy and chi gong, and acupuncture, and took glucosamine and MSM, but things really improved for me when I found a very experienced and skilled yoga teacher. With her guidance and daily practice, I learned to stretch out and strengthen my muscles that had become so imbalanced.

After I got established with my cpap therapy (3-4 months), I noticed that I was waking up with less stiffness in my back. My joints seemed more limber, and I had more strength and stamina when practicing yoga. My balance became better. I think it's because I was getting restorative sleep, so my body could heal at night, from its daily activities. And I because I had more energy, I was able to do more walking.

I wish you every success, and hope that you have similar results.

[robysue]

congratulations! and may you have many, many more anniversaries of starting cpap!

[rubymom]

Congrats Katie!! This year has flown by. I remember when you started. Glad you're doing so well.

[rosacer]

Congratulations Katie!

I'm so happy for all the progress you have made.

Your kindness have been great too, answering to questions and giving away what you was learning!

All the best!

Rosie