The morning after my first sleep study I felt like a new person. During the first two hours I averaged (AHI) 79 events. My OxSat dropped as low as 65%. For the next five hours I tried the nose pillow, nose pillow with chin strap, and finally (due to persistent mouth breathing) a full face mask. With the full face mask the technician was able to dial in the pressure that had me actually sleeping (12), perhaps for the first time in years. I probably got two hours of real sleep at the end of the night, and I awoke feeling like a different person.
Now, after two months of religious use of the machine (7.6 hours per night, have never missed one), I am still waiting to feel that way again! Perhaps my expectations were too high. I now average 7-10 events per hour, I no longer snore (which my wife loves), and while I get past the 3 PM urge to nap, I still find myself exhausted and ready for bed at 9:00 PM. I am an avid racquetball player, and I had high hopes that better sleep would help me be more competitive. Not so far! I have my first hospital follow-up in a few weeks, and I'm hoping they raise the pressure a little to try to get me below 5. Maybe then I will feel the magic and win more matches! I can hope, right?
Machine: PR System One REMstar Auto CPAP Machine with A-Flex
Mask: Mirage Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: PR System One Heated Humidifier
Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
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RedNeckPhD
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 8:56 am
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
I posted my first post here...
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48330&p=568572#p568572
I feel wonderful each time I get more than 5 hours on my ASV. Because I have mostly central apnea, I have had to battle a fear of falling asleep. For the first month it was hard to put on the mask and go to bed. I would procrastinate till 2 or 4 am before going to bed. It does not help that if I'm tired, I stop breathing for brief periods while I am awake and that makes me not want to fall asleep. A few times, I hauled my ASV out to the living room so I could have it on in case I fell asleep. That was funny because I knew I needed it but I was afraid of wearing the darned mask at first. It took me a while to get over the fear that the machine might fail and then I might suffocate.
Gradually, I overcame my reluctance to fall asleep with the mask and its helped that I feel like a million bucks when I manage to sleep through the night wearing it. I've noticed that even on short sleep nights, if I can end on the ASV its better than waking up with the mask off. I think at first it was a fit problem. The mask presses on my sinuses, I learned to loosen the bottom of the mask and slightly tighten the forehead part which lifts the mask just enough to make me feel I am breathing freely.
I still tend to pull off my mask after an hour or two because I will wake up feeling unable to breath, and then I wake up enough to realize I need to put it back on and sleep the rest of the night. I am learning to remind myself "put it back on dummy!" Longest I have managed to sleep mask on was two days of last weekend 8:20 and 7:05 hours, wonderful!
P.S. Wearing this wrist pulse oximeter has really helped me to stay the course. I get visual confirmation, when the mask is off, my oxygenation swings down below 70% in clockwork-like pulses and the heart rate tracks those excursions dropping to 50 peaking to 100. Its pretty obvious that sleeping without the mask is terribly hard on the body.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48330&p=568572#p568572
I feel wonderful each time I get more than 5 hours on my ASV. Because I have mostly central apnea, I have had to battle a fear of falling asleep. For the first month it was hard to put on the mask and go to bed. I would procrastinate till 2 or 4 am before going to bed. It does not help that if I'm tired, I stop breathing for brief periods while I am awake and that makes me not want to fall asleep. A few times, I hauled my ASV out to the living room so I could have it on in case I fell asleep. That was funny because I knew I needed it but I was afraid of wearing the darned mask at first. It took me a while to get over the fear that the machine might fail and then I might suffocate.
Gradually, I overcame my reluctance to fall asleep with the mask and its helped that I feel like a million bucks when I manage to sleep through the night wearing it. I've noticed that even on short sleep nights, if I can end on the ASV its better than waking up with the mask off. I think at first it was a fit problem. The mask presses on my sinuses, I learned to loosen the bottom of the mask and slightly tighten the forehead part which lifts the mask just enough to make me feel I am breathing freely.
I still tend to pull off my mask after an hour or two because I will wake up feeling unable to breath, and then I wake up enough to realize I need to put it back on and sleep the rest of the night. I am learning to remind myself "put it back on dummy!" Longest I have managed to sleep mask on was two days of last weekend 8:20 and 7:05 hours, wonderful!
P.S. Wearing this wrist pulse oximeter has really helped me to stay the course. I get visual confirmation, when the mask is off, my oxygenation swings down below 70% in clockwork-like pulses and the heart rate tracks those excursions dropping to 50 peaking to 100. Its pretty obvious that sleeping without the mask is terribly hard on the body.
EPAP min=6, EPAP max=15, PS min=3, PS max=12, Max Pressure=30, Backup Rate=8 bpm, Flex=0, Rise Time=1,
90% EPAP=7.0, Avg PS=4.0, Avg bpm 18.3, Avg Min vent 9.2 Lpm, Avg CA/OA/H/AHI = 0.1/0.1/2.1/2.3 ... updated 02/17/12
90% EPAP=7.0, Avg PS=4.0, Avg bpm 18.3, Avg Min vent 9.2 Lpm, Avg CA/OA/H/AHI = 0.1/0.1/2.1/2.3 ... updated 02/17/12
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
I have been on cpap since 2002. I never even take a nap without it. I have 1 at home & in the car. I sometimes take a nap in my car but mostly I have it just in case I get stuck someplace. I don't want to be stranded without a way to sleep. I also have a TAP2 mouthpiece as a backup to my cpaps. I work 3 jobs and go from 7am-1130pm. I get rest. The docs don't understand how I get by without REM sleep. Thats my dilema. Cpap is a piece of cake. I could probably make due with a mask and an air compressor if needed. I'm pretty handy with duct tape.
Chris
Chris
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Arachnamist
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:24 pm
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
Hello, this is my first response to a thread having just recently joined, and i must say, i feel a definite difference, as a senior in high school, this has severely improved my grades, as well as make me more energetic. Since the 9th grade i had been throwing up every morning. And it was nasty, granted, but my doctor had noticed that in my records it showed me often complaining of lack of energy, so he reccommended me for a sleep study, after being diagnosed, and placed on my machine, i noticed a great improvement. it took a little while to feel the full effect, but when i did, it was as if i was an entirely new person.
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Ezjay
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
my 2 cents...All the comments here are just great, and quit simular/accurate to me...I have been using CPAP for 3 years now, and "That is my Mistress"...when she calls I have to answer! The best thing ever to happen to me...I stretch and crack mornings, and notice I hadn't done that since I was a child..Stay with it...it's rough at first for sure, but that night's rest is really worth it...I have more energy daily...and see others that I think should try it...
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jmurphy27
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
I have my appointment to get my machine and mask delivered this afternoon and I CAN'T WAIT. For the couple of years I have been suffering from exhaustion, the wife finally convinced me to get a study. Turns out I have severe sleep apnea. I went back to be tested with the machine and I could not believe that I actually slept even with the mask and all the electrodes. The whole next day I felt like I was shot out of a cannon with energy that I have not felt in years. I have been counting down the days until I got my own machine since. I found this forum and I plan on using it and telling my own story as things progress.
Wish me luck for continued success!!!
Wish me luck for continued success!!!
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KnightDreamer
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 8:47 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, California
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
Hello members I am new to CPAPTalk and I hope to hear from others who are now living life again through treatment. This is my story in a nutshell, In June 2010 I underwent complex nasal septoplasty and surgical repair of a previous surgery that went wrong. A couple of months later I was breathing through my nose which I had not done successfully for 20 years. I thought my days looking like a zombie at work were over because of sleepless nights but they continued. I complained to the surgeon who I now consider a blessing and he refered me to a sleep disorder center to undergo a split-study Polysomnogram. The medical director read the report and he said my sleep was severly fragmented with an arousal index of 62/hour. He said my longest event was 53 seconds! He further stated that I should be aware of the potential circumstances of untreated obstructive sleep apnea up to and including a shortened lifespan. By the time he finished reading the terrifying report he looked at me and said I can help you. Today, I am sleeping through the night, losing weight through exercise, eating healthier, and as a result performing at work at a higher level. My success is on-going and requires me to understand my condition as well as my equipment on a daily basis. I can't wait to take my family and my CPAP on a week long camping trip this summer.
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sleepysmurf
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 4:24 am
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
I enjoyed reading this thread. When the majority of you listed the symptoms that you experienced, all I could say was "Thats me. Thats me".Got the second part of my sleep study done last week, and waiting for my primary doc to track down the lung doctor and the DME. Im curios to know how you all PAP on vacations short trips ,etc but Im guessing thats some where on the site. Im still reading.
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THEENGLISHTEACHERGA
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
Hello Everyone,
I have been diagnosed with OSA and I have just started CPAP therapy on Tuesday night of this week. I do feel somewhat better as far as no being completely exhausted after teaching my second class of the day and actually have energy for my third and last class of the day. Before the therapy, by the time my third class, I was literally sitting down, instructing and that is not the best for 8th graders. I too, was looking for this BIG difference after the first night of usage, and I had started to get a bit discouraged about the whole diagnosis and therapy. But, thankfully I came across this forum and see that not everyone experiences instance relief. I was also concerned because I felt like I wasn't really getting the proper sleep with the machine because I was so conscious of the mask the entire night. I even (unconsciously) took the mask off during the night, one night, and can't remember for the life of me doing it and have no clue how long it had been off. So, I wondered if the worrying about the mask will go away and it become second nature for me to sleep with it? Maybe after that, I will notice a big difference. For so long, I felt like I was overly tired because I am a single parent, working full time teaching and going to school for my Masters degree and assisting my elderly parents. I was always running on E. But, then I began feeling worse and worse and the napping began to frustrate me and take away from my living and doing things. Everyone that knows me knows that I am always napping and that has been a running joke with my family and friends. Then one day, I was so tired that it felt like my heart was hurting, not a shooting pain but a hurt or strain I guess. My OBGYN discovered, initially that my B12 levels were low and started the shots and that did seem to help some but I was still tired. So, after three months of the shots, she immediately said, I want to order a sleep study, I think you have sleep apnea. She said that a sleep apnea should be one the top test that should be done when people complain about exhaustion. I am so ready to have the energy that I desire and should have as a 38 year old, otherwise healthy woman. I haven't been back for my second study with the CPAP machine to adjust the numbers (the Dr. has started me off with 5 but once the study is repeated, will adjust the numbers accordingly.) So, thanks everyone who has shared their experiences and stories, they have been so helpful and encouraging. I will continue to use it and wait. By the way, I have the half mask that just covers my nose and rest slightly above my top lip. I don't experience any leakage that I know of, it is just that the mask is hot and sweaty on my face. I guess I will get used to that too.
I have been diagnosed with OSA and I have just started CPAP therapy on Tuesday night of this week. I do feel somewhat better as far as no being completely exhausted after teaching my second class of the day and actually have energy for my third and last class of the day. Before the therapy, by the time my third class, I was literally sitting down, instructing and that is not the best for 8th graders. I too, was looking for this BIG difference after the first night of usage, and I had started to get a bit discouraged about the whole diagnosis and therapy. But, thankfully I came across this forum and see that not everyone experiences instance relief. I was also concerned because I felt like I wasn't really getting the proper sleep with the machine because I was so conscious of the mask the entire night. I even (unconsciously) took the mask off during the night, one night, and can't remember for the life of me doing it and have no clue how long it had been off. So, I wondered if the worrying about the mask will go away and it become second nature for me to sleep with it? Maybe after that, I will notice a big difference. For so long, I felt like I was overly tired because I am a single parent, working full time teaching and going to school for my Masters degree and assisting my elderly parents. I was always running on E. But, then I began feeling worse and worse and the napping began to frustrate me and take away from my living and doing things. Everyone that knows me knows that I am always napping and that has been a running joke with my family and friends. Then one day, I was so tired that it felt like my heart was hurting, not a shooting pain but a hurt or strain I guess. My OBGYN discovered, initially that my B12 levels were low and started the shots and that did seem to help some but I was still tired. So, after three months of the shots, she immediately said, I want to order a sleep study, I think you have sleep apnea. She said that a sleep apnea should be one the top test that should be done when people complain about exhaustion. I am so ready to have the energy that I desire and should have as a 38 year old, otherwise healthy woman. I haven't been back for my second study with the CPAP machine to adjust the numbers (the Dr. has started me off with 5 but once the study is repeated, will adjust the numbers accordingly.) So, thanks everyone who has shared their experiences and stories, they have been so helpful and encouraging. I will continue to use it and wait. By the way, I have the half mask that just covers my nose and rest slightly above my top lip. I don't experience any leakage that I know of, it is just that the mask is hot and sweaty on my face. I guess I will get used to that too.
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howseanrolls
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:06 pm
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
Hello all - just wanted to say a few things.
I had a sleep study done a couple of months ago and was told I had moderate to severe sleep apnea - I wish I had my results in front of me, but I'll post them later. Ever since I got married a year ago the quality of my sleep decreased, mostly because when I was single there was no one to angrily wake me up 5-6 times a night because of my locomotive-style snoring.
I've been using the CPAP (actually, I was told mine's an APAP) for 2.5 weeks and the results have been astonishing. Even during the titration study I slept like a baby. I no longer wake up with my heart racing and I don't have to drink a pot of coffee in order to get out of REM-deprived haze in the morning. I've started on a nasal spray to prepare for a septoplasty and turbinate reduction in May, which means I may be able to switch to a smaller mask (I use the Quattro ResMed 4). I can run twice a day sometimes and when I travel for work I have energy and stamina to work out before my evening meal. Before I'd just go back to my hotel room and sleep, and poorly at that. BTW I'm a 24 year old male in otherwise great health.
Since I got married, I gained about 20 pounds with no real explanation - I didn't change my eating habits, I was attempting to be more active etc., but my doctor just recently told me that my interrupted sleep is most likely slowing my metabolism down substantially. I'm looking forward to dropping the weight and getting back to my old self.
This forum was a great resource, it helped me prepare for the discussion with my physician and my fitting for my mask and machine. When I figure out the forum I'll post my equipment. The only thing negative about the forum is that I was pretty scared about the negatives of using a CPAP, but I found that if I'm persistent and focus on the goal (EXCELLENT health), it's all worth it.
Only question I had....does anyone get the air bubble in their stomach in the morning? I haven't experienced dry mouth or anything because of the humidifier but DAMN do I feel bloated in the morning.
I had a sleep study done a couple of months ago and was told I had moderate to severe sleep apnea - I wish I had my results in front of me, but I'll post them later. Ever since I got married a year ago the quality of my sleep decreased, mostly because when I was single there was no one to angrily wake me up 5-6 times a night because of my locomotive-style snoring.
I've been using the CPAP (actually, I was told mine's an APAP) for 2.5 weeks and the results have been astonishing. Even during the titration study I slept like a baby. I no longer wake up with my heart racing and I don't have to drink a pot of coffee in order to get out of REM-deprived haze in the morning. I've started on a nasal spray to prepare for a septoplasty and turbinate reduction in May, which means I may be able to switch to a smaller mask (I use the Quattro ResMed 4). I can run twice a day sometimes and when I travel for work I have energy and stamina to work out before my evening meal. Before I'd just go back to my hotel room and sleep, and poorly at that. BTW I'm a 24 year old male in otherwise great health.
Since I got married, I gained about 20 pounds with no real explanation - I didn't change my eating habits, I was attempting to be more active etc., but my doctor just recently told me that my interrupted sleep is most likely slowing my metabolism down substantially. I'm looking forward to dropping the weight and getting back to my old self.
This forum was a great resource, it helped me prepare for the discussion with my physician and my fitting for my mask and machine. When I figure out the forum I'll post my equipment. The only thing negative about the forum is that I was pretty scared about the negatives of using a CPAP, but I found that if I'm persistent and focus on the goal (EXCELLENT health), it's all worth it.
Only question I had....does anyone get the air bubble in their stomach in the morning? I haven't experienced dry mouth or anything because of the humidifier but DAMN do I feel bloated in the morning.
I bring mine every time I fly to Southern California. I have it as a carry on and buy distilled water when I'm done with work for the day. Kind of a pain, but I refuse to do without this thing and I also refuse to buy the expensive travel version.sleepysmurf wrote:Im curios to know how you all PAP on vacations short trips ,etc but Im guessing thats some where on the site. Im still reading.
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tinman2425
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:06 am
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
Hello all, I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. Stopped breathing appx 50 times an hour during REM sleep. Guess they say this is not good..
Got my cpap yesterday with a nasal mask. Took a few minutes to get my breathing through my nose down pat, but once i did, it was lights out. Sleep for about 7 hours str8 with just one minor wakeup for a bathroom break.. Loving it after only one night..
Hope to learn lots from the forums here..
Got my cpap yesterday with a nasal mask. Took a few minutes to get my breathing through my nose down pat, but once i did, it was lights out. Sleep for about 7 hours str8 with just one minor wakeup for a bathroom break.. Loving it after only one night..
Hope to learn lots from the forums here..
_________________
| Mask | |
 |
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?Catnapper wrote: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 wow gold 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
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Cindy Lou Who
- Posts: 249
- Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2010 4:03 pm
- Location: Southeast Iowa
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
April 6th was my first year anniversary of being a hosehead. Reading the CPAP Wiki and so many posts here has been the best education about understanding apnea. I've gotten so much help in how to deal with my machine and mask to optimize treatment, and with understanding and interpreting the software data (sometimes without even asking a question...as someone already had).
The 127 hypopnea's per hour made a mess of my life. Without them I have the energy and stamina to deal with personal problems I couldn't face before xpap therapy. The brain fog is gone, depression has lifted, and mood swings gone. I don't feel mentally drained and stupid any more.
I look forward to weekends...not because I could sleep over 12 hours.... but I look forward to actually doing something fun in them. Having the energy to do more than was absolutely necessary was missing from life for a long time.
Without this forum this journey would've been harder.
Cindy
The 127 hypopnea's per hour made a mess of my life. Without them I have the energy and stamina to deal with personal problems I couldn't face before xpap therapy. The brain fog is gone, depression has lifted, and mood swings gone. I don't feel mentally drained and stupid any more.
I look forward to weekends...not because I could sleep over 12 hours.... but I look forward to actually doing something fun in them. Having the energy to do more than was absolutely necessary was missing from life for a long time.
Without this forum this journey would've been harder.
Cindy
_________________
| Mask: Opus 360 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
| Additional Comments: Swift FX as back-up |
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
Hello
went to the Doctor yesterday for a chechup. My blood presure was 84/119 !. It used to run 90/145+ with blood presure meds.
Bigd
went to the Doctor yesterday for a chechup. My blood presure was 84/119 !. It used to run 90/145+ with blood presure meds.
Bigd
_________________
| Mask: Mirage Activa™ LT Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
| Additional Comments: Heated hose |
Re: Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.
I've been using CPAP for 4 nights so far...
After I saw the respirologist and he told me I had sleep apnea(33ahi or something,stopped breathing for up to 45sec) and had to wear CPAP for probably the rest of my life. I felt numb. I gave myself exactly 3hours to freak out about how I was supposed to use deal with this machine probably for the rest of my life. After that I went online and did my research to figure out what sleep apnea/cpap was.(I kept myself purposefully ignorant up until this point)
I read this forum and turns out it really did help alot of people.(alot of people gave it up too, but I prefer to focus on the positive) I felt really good about trying it out. I was actually really excited to get my equip after reading this thread. I've been met with nothing but scorn and mockery by my family, that is their problem though. They seem to be more upset about it than I ever was.
So its been 4 nights since I've started and I've adjusted quite well. The first night I was afraid to wear it in the dark, so I brought my laptop to bed so I could fall asleep with it on watching shows. I only got 4 hours sleep, it was kinda hard to get back to sleep after taking my mask on and off so I decided to start my sunday at 7am. The only real difference that I noticed was that I felt sharper, mentally. The second night I woke up with a headache. I later found out that was because I didn't have my humidifier on high enough. I woke up fine this morning.
The bad: I tried to educate myself to a cursory level on cpap using this site, but having no actual idea of what I wanted(no experience) I opted to rely on the advice of my doctor and the guy selling me the equipment at the store. In hindsight I probably should of bought a data capable machine.There was no way I could have known that at the time though, I assumed all machines did the same thing and that I didn't need any advanced features for my first try. In the end I was basically herded into buying a basic cpap machine with extended warranty.
oh well. You live, you learn. Next time I need to replace my machine I'm definitely buying one off of cpap.com
I'm adjusting to cpap fairly well. (I have to learn how to breathe through my nose better!I naturally breathe through mouth/nose@ same time)
I think its too early to tell if its had any real effects so far.
I also haven't had it calibrated by the sleep technicians yet. its set at 9cm, what my doctor prescribed.
This forum has been so helpful in transitioning to treat sleep apnea.
After I saw the respirologist and he told me I had sleep apnea(33ahi or something,stopped breathing for up to 45sec) and had to wear CPAP for probably the rest of my life. I felt numb. I gave myself exactly 3hours to freak out about how I was supposed to use deal with this machine probably for the rest of my life. After that I went online and did my research to figure out what sleep apnea/cpap was.(I kept myself purposefully ignorant up until this point)
I read this forum and turns out it really did help alot of people.(alot of people gave it up too, but I prefer to focus on the positive) I felt really good about trying it out. I was actually really excited to get my equip after reading this thread. I've been met with nothing but scorn and mockery by my family, that is their problem though. They seem to be more upset about it than I ever was.
So its been 4 nights since I've started and I've adjusted quite well. The first night I was afraid to wear it in the dark, so I brought my laptop to bed so I could fall asleep with it on watching shows. I only got 4 hours sleep, it was kinda hard to get back to sleep after taking my mask on and off so I decided to start my sunday at 7am. The only real difference that I noticed was that I felt sharper, mentally. The second night I woke up with a headache. I later found out that was because I didn't have my humidifier on high enough. I woke up fine this morning.
The bad: I tried to educate myself to a cursory level on cpap using this site, but having no actual idea of what I wanted(no experience) I opted to rely on the advice of my doctor and the guy selling me the equipment at the store. In hindsight I probably should of bought a data capable machine.There was no way I could have known that at the time though, I assumed all machines did the same thing and that I didn't need any advanced features for my first try. In the end I was basically herded into buying a basic cpap machine with extended warranty.
oh well. You live, you learn. Next time I need to replace my machine I'm definitely buying one off of cpap.com
I'm adjusting to cpap fairly well. (I have to learn how to breathe through my nose better!I naturally breathe through mouth/nose@ same time)
I think its too early to tell if its had any real effects so far.
I also haven't had it calibrated by the sleep technicians yet. its set at 9cm, what my doctor prescribed.
This forum has been so helpful in transitioning to treat sleep apnea.