At my Wits End

[tbrown2]

I have been using my CPAP now for three weeks. I was forced by my insurance to use the Fischer-Pykle ICON-Auto. A very nice machine but you can't get the software to self monitor. I was able to talk my distributor into putting it in a mode that I can at least review the numbers from the screen daily. I have had issue with my mouth falling open and the headstraps did not help. I switched to a full face mask but I am really struggling with it at night to keep it from leaking.
Overall my numbers are saying my AHI is 1, which is good, my 90% pressure is 9, and my leakage is still in the accepatable range for the night. My biggest problem is I am still waking up feeling exhausted with what I can only describe as medicine head. I am hoping someone on here can help. Am I just experiencing a normal period of adjustment or is there something wrong?
I am arranging a meeting with my distributor to go over the data on the memory stick to see if something can be discerned but I am losing hope about the effectivness of the CPAP in helping me sleep.

[Mary Z]

tbrown2, it's good you're writing to the forum for advice- that shows commitment to therapy. Sometimes it just takes longer to feel better. An AHI of 1 is excellent- maybe when they check your data they will find something. There is also a sleep debt that must be made up for some people, and again that's why it can take longer to feel better. Hang in there. Keep using the machine all night, every night (the only way to get good results).
As is often said, you didn't get sleep apnea overnight and you don't recover overnight in most cases. Keep posting and keep trying. Keep us up to speed on how you're doing. Good luck.
Getting used to the machine is not easy and I know three weeks seems like a long time.

[burlyblack]

Hi thrown2........I had similar problems. It took years of testing and adjusting until one doctor took me entirely off sleeping aids. Now I only take melatonin, I sllep good and I am rested when I wake up

[apneawho]

I have been using my CPAP now for three weeks. I was forced by my insurance to use the Fischer-Pykle ICON-Auto. A very nice machine but you can't get the software to self monitor. I was able to talk my distributor into putting it in a mode that I can at least review the numbers from the screen daily. I have had issue with my mouth falling open and the headstraps did not help. I switched to a full face mask but I am really struggling with it at night to keep it from leaking.
Overall my numbers are saying my AHI is 1, which is good, my 90% pressure is 9, and my leakage is still in the accepatable range for the night. My biggest problem is I am still waking up feeling exhausted with what I can only describe as medicine head. I am hoping someone on here can help. Am I just experiencing a normal period of adjustment or is there something wrong?
I am arranging a meeting with my distributor to go over the data on the memory stick to see if something can be discerned but I am losing hope about the effectivness of the CPAP in helping me sleep.

Hi tbrown2,
Welcome to the best internet forum for sleep apnea!
It doesn't sound like you are at your wits end. You sound very much like most of us. What you are describing can be a normal adjustment. I am using cpap since July 20 and I have great numbers and no mask problems, which I am so thankful for, but I still feel like doo doo. I can sleep 8-9 hrs with my machine, negligible leak, AHI is consistently less than 0.6, AHI is most of the time 0.1-0.4 and I still feel like doo doo. When I look in the mirror, my face looks brighter, better color, more alert, but inside I don't feel that good. I stopped getting up to urinate during the night and I can get out of bed much easier than before, but those are the main improvements I have seen so far. I still have brain fog and I think that may be what you are calling medicine head? Keep with it. You are probably doing as well as can be expected right now. You have a lot of good support here. Stay connected.

[Emilia]

Please take a minute to go up to the User Control Panel (under search, top left) and then to your Profile and then Edit Equipment. Choose your gear from the pull down menus and the choose to show those in TEXT, not pictures. This will put your equipment at the bottom of every post your write automatically, like mine below. Those with the same equipment can help you better than having to constantly ask you what you use!

The software for the ICON is very hard to come by, but some forum users have been able to get it. I believe it is fairly easy to buy in Australia, but not in the USA.

[Perrybucsdad]

Welcome to the forum, and I hate to say this, but what you are experiencing is normal. My AHI is all over the place, and I am only 60+ days into my therapy and some days I still feel like garbage, but other days, I feel great. As others have said, it takes time, and my impatient self has a hard time with that (and have been at wits end as well).

Just keep up with it and eventually, you will feel better. The one thing I have noticed at least is on the days I don't feel better, I at least don't feel any worse. Small consolation I know, but it's still one for the good guys.

Also, I will PM a link to the software. I don't have the machine myself, but I know where you can get the software.

John

[tbrown2]

Thanks all,
I will keep working on it.
John the link didn't come through and I am having a hard time with the PM.
I really do appreciate the help.

[Perrybucsdad]

Just resent... I'm thinking it was user error on my part.

John