How did you feel before CPAP?

[fishy]

I have been recently diagnosed and for about 2 months have had headaches, feel incredibly fatigued, irritable. I am also taking some medications that may be causing these symptoms. So my question is: Have any of you felt like I have described i.e. total dog $hit prior to the cpap - and the cpap helped? Or should I not put too much stock that the cpap will help too much with my symptoms...and look more at getting off the medications?

Thanks

[Sheriff Buford]

Heck no... I had high blood pressure and diabetes. I was so sleepy, I would pull over in parking lots and take naps. I was sleeping 9-10 hours a night but still felt bad. I was sluggish and felt like I haven't gotten any sleep. All of the prior issues I mentioned went away (still borderline diabetic, though) after successful apnea treatment. I lost a bunch of weight, and I am more alert and only need 6-7 hours of sleep to feel good. I feel that refreshing feeling after awaking... and its been decades since I felt that! I'll even "whip up" on guys resisting arrest instead of delegating the task to the young guys . That's me, though. Other folks have not been blessed as me and have different responses to treatment. Keep goin'

Sheriff

By the way.... Go Texans!!!

[BCampbell]

Before cpap I was on Meds for high blood pressure. And now am totally
Off blood pressure Meds
Before cpap I woke up every morning feeling like I had been running all night
Completely exhausted with head aches I could fall asleep anywhere.
Now I wake up feeling rested head aches are gone I have more energy
So don't give up! It will take a while it adjusted to it. The first few weeks
I found myself wanting to sleep a lot. I have been on cpap for 7 years and
Never sleep without it. Even if you just want to take a short nap use
The cpap. Good luck I hope it works great for you !

[sleepnasta]

I have been recently diagnosed and for about 2 months have had headaches, feel incredibly fatigued, irritable. I am also taking some medications that may be causing these symptoms. So my question is: Have any of you felt like I have described i.e. total dog $hit prior to the cpap - and the cpap helped? Or should I not put too much stock that the cpap will help too much with my symptoms...and look more at getting off the medications?

Thanks

before cpap i was a total wreck. i was exhausted all the time, felt like i had a hangover every day, was dizzy, irritable, anxious, always on edge. a year ago my pcp thought i was having panic attacks and wanted me on zoloft. thankfully i said no, switched doctors, and kept pushing for answers. the neurologist thought it was MS and sent me for a brain MRI. guess what? i think i WAS having panic attacks but they were brought on by being sleep deprived for years and years. finally i was sent to a sleep doctor who sent me for a sleep study and to my (and his) surprise i have severe obstructive sleep apnea. i've been on cpap for about 6 weeks and can honestly say i feel 100 times better already. less than a week into it i woke up one day and felt like a different person. i told my husband, "so this is how normal people feel after they wake up!" it has completely changed my life.

[Denial Dave]

Before CPAP, I felt fine... no major or minor health issues. I take 1 multi-vitiman a days...I needed 1 bathroom run in the middle of the night once or twice a week.

I survived by napping quite often: after work, after dinner, watching TV, weekends.


Dave

[zoocrewphoto]

Before CPAP, I didn't realize how bad I was. I knew for probably 8-10 years that I had sleep apnea, but I thought it was just another form of sleep deprivation. I didn't realize it was oxygen deprivation, causing high blood pressure etc.

I decided to do the sleep study and get serious when my high blood pressure didn't improve much, even with 3 meds, and my doctor was telling me I was at a high risk of stroke. I then had two bad attacks of vertigo, which sent me to the emergency room. It was unrelated, but both ER doctors ruled out stroke, which means that they looked at me (age 40, look much younger) and decided stroke was a possibility. That really scared me.

My titration night went well, and I felt great the next day. Then I was back to no cpap for a couple weeks while waiting for my followup. So, I was back to my normal crappy sleep. I didn't realize how crappy it was until I could feel the huge difference. Now that I have my machine and use it every night (though not the whole night some nights, I still have some adjustment issues and some non-related issues that were making cpap difficult), I don't feel as awesome as that first day. I do have some awesome days (had one Sunday), and I do feel better in general than I did before. My blood pressure has also improved.

I also learned that many of my problems were related, and those have improved. My morning headaches are gone. I usually have one bathroom trip per night instead of 3 or 4. I fall asleep faster. I stay asleep for longer sessions instead of waking frequently. I sleep better in hotels (I used to wake up every hour and stay awake a good portion of every hour). I don't wake up with choking gasping fits. My acid reflux is much better. I don't have bad dreams of being chased (I was probably struggling to breathe). I rarely use energy drinks now.

I have seen a lot of improvements that I did not expect.

[chunkyfrog]

Before cpap, I was continually waking up with disturbing, strenuous dreams.
I would get up after as little as 3 or 4 hours of "sleep" if I happened to wake up without a headache,
which never happened after more than 4 hours. My mind was so foggy, I could barely function.
I would doze off sitting at my desk, and took 5 minute "power naps" on the "throne".
I ate continually just to stay awake at work--(very bad for T2 diabetes, BTW.)
I actually blacked out for a couple of seconds while driving (I won't say how many times)
The worst thing I did was ding one of my rims on a curb, but that was still scary.
I could NOT stay awake through a movie, and I was cranky and weepy all the time.
I was diagnosed with an AHI of only 13, but starting the very first week, the nightmares were gone;
along with the headaches. More improvements came along with time. It took about 5 months before it finally started to sink in that I had a horribly fitting mask; treatment had such an awesome effect on me.

[zoocrewphoto]

I forgot to add that it has really helped me when traveling because my snoring was bothering my sister. She would yell at me several times a night. She thought I would stop snoring if I rolled over, but basically I stopped snoring because I was awake. So, for her to sleep well, I needed to stay awake. Now, we both sleep great. My sister also told me that I am not grumpy anymore. I didn't realize I was grumpy, but she is really happy with my improvement, so I will take that as a great thing. Every year, we go on a trip together for 14-19 days. We do a lot of hiking and sightseeing which means a lot of energy and early hours (I am a severe night owl). I also have to drink a lot of water and give up my pop (and sugar). So, it was really nice to feel much better on the last trip. We did some long hikes, including a 9 hour outing.

For me, this is a huge benefit to know that I am not bothering others with my snoring. And I can handle the early hours while traveling much better than I used to. I feel more awake, and I don't need the energy drinks either. How awesome is that?

[walking coma]

I had no life. I was extremely depressed;couldn't function. I spent most of my time laying on the couch watching tv. My house was a pig stye. I mostly ate canned and takeout food cause it was impossible to cook.I wasn't able to focus or concentrate. I wished that I wouldn't wake up. Life was very painful and I didn't think I was going to get better. I started to suspect I had apnea because I would nap and wake up with a snort. I did a sleep study at home. I waited 3 weeks for the results. I prayed that I would have apnea. I walked into the doctor's office and he said I'm going to help you. You have mild sleep apnea with an AHI of 4. I was so happy I started crying. I went on cpap that same night and woke the next morning feeling incredible. I had so much energy that the pigs moved out of my stye. For 3 days I was in heaven and then I crashed with such horrible fatigue that I never felt in my life. I couldn't understand what was wrong. I searched for answers. Went back to see my family doctor had blood tests couldn't find anything wrong. I changed masks,settings on the machine. I still felt terrible until one day lo and behold I found this website. I started to learn what sleep apnea was all about. This forum is a godsend. There are so many wonderful people here who have answers to your questions because they're so knowledgable. I know even though I don't personally know them I can still rely on them because they have helped me so much. I am now 3 months into cpap therapy and I am finally starting to feel better. I now have a life. For all the newbies out there don't give up. You will get better. Yes you will struggle; you'll hate it but in the end it will all be worth it. Your life will be a celebration.

[zoocrewphoto]

I had no life. I was extremely depressed;couldn't function. I spent most of my time laying on the couch watching tv. My house was a pig stye. I mostly ate canned and takeout food cause it was impossible to cook.I wasn't able to focus or concentrate. I wished that I wouldn't wake up. Life was very painful and I didn't think I was going to get better. I started to suspect I had apnea because I would nap and wake up with a snort. I did a sleep study at home. I waited 3 weeks for the results. I prayed that I would have apnea. I walked into the doctor's office and he said I'm going to help you. You have mild sleep apnea with an AHI of 4. I was so happy I started crying. I went on cpap that same night and woke the next morning feeling incredible. I had so much energy that the pigs moved out of my stye. For 3 days I was in heaven and then I crashed with such horrible fatigue that I never felt in my life. I couldn't understand what was wrong. I searched for answers. Went back to see my family doctor had blood tests couldn't find anything wrong. I changed masks,settings on the machine. I still felt terrible until one day lo and behold I found this website. I started to learn what sleep apnea was all about. This forum is a godsend. There are so many wonderful people here who have answers to your questions because they're so knowledgable. I know even though I don't personally know them I can still rely on them because they have helped me so much. I am now 3 months into cpap therapy and I am finally starting to feel better. I now have a life. For all the newbies out there don't give up. You will get better. Yes you will struggle; you'll hate it but in the end it will all be worth it. Your life will be a celebration.

Great post.

I avoided the diagnosis for 8-10 years because I didn't think I could sleep with a machine. I hated my mom's machine. It was old, loud, and I always saw nasal masks and thought that was the only style. It wasn't until my scare that I got serious. I dreaded the sleep study, but it went really well, and I felt great that next day. I knew I was confirmed with sleep apnea since they put me on the machine a little over 2 hours into the study. The paperwork said not to question the tech about results since they were not allowed to give us the information and would put them in a position of saying no. I did ask in the morning if the machine had gone up in pressure over night. They said yes, and I was thrilled as that meant I had not noticed and slept through it. A couple friends have sleep apnea, and they told me that they really liked their apap machines. One had a bipap machine. So, I knew I wanted an apap. Three days before my sleep doctor appointment, I had an appointment with my regular doctor, and she mentioned that she had received my results. She didn't understand all of it, and some of what she explained was wrong (my apnea was more severe than she understood). But I remember seeing the recommended: apap 11-17; and I thought - Great! I'm getting an auto machine! I have never been so excited in my life to go to a doctor appointment.


It has not been all easy. The first month, I had a lot of nights where I would spend a half hour or more trying to get my mask to fit without leaks. It was my lack of experience, not the mask at fault as that mask now fits great without leaks. Although it did get easier once I had smaller headgear. I would get up to use the bathroom, come back, and spend half an hour fitting it again. I did a lot of swearing at it. On my trip last September, I had a few nights where it got challenging again. I don't know if the old cushion was too old and the new cushion too new. But I switched back and forth between them several times. It was extra frustrating as I was traveling with my sister and could not allow myself to sleep without the machine, under any circumstances. She was thrilled not to have me snoring, so I couldn't let myself snore when I had my machine right there. One night, I thought I was really quiet, but I couldn't get it to fit for quite some time. I didn't know it, but my sister was awake and knew I was having trouble. She reset the alarm in the morning so that I could sleep in and make up for the lack of sleep.

As many people have stated, it isn't easy for most people. I know I have had it easier than many. And overall, it has been a really good improvement, and will be even better long term.

[kismet210]

Before my CPAP...I'd left my husband and was staying with a friend who after a couple of weeks asked me to leave because of my keeping them awake. It was them also that told me I needed to be tested because of what they witnessed. I couldn't function at work, at home...pretty much anyplace. I spent almost every moment trying to stay awake. I know I passed out at least twice at my desk. My concentration was more like S.O.S. (shiny object syndrome). I'd sit down to watch t.v. and never get more than a couple of minutes of the program regardless of where I was. I was afraid to drive at times. I gave up trying to read books because I couldn't get in more than half a page before I was out. Acid reflux in the middle of the night...lived with 2 bottles of Tums beside my bed. Memory issues...can't remember! I thought I was heading into the early stages of Alzheimer's. I apparently sounded like a freight train coming through with my snoring. Morning headaches like I'd been out drinking all night. Irritable? That's an understatement! Like the evil creature in the closet! I couldn't be bothered to clean the house or cook. I was told my eyes looked dead. I didn't dare sit down when I got home from work or I was done for the night. I'd cut my own social life off to save myself from feeling embarrassed about constantly dozing off or staying overnight and keeping everyone else awake. My average episodes per hour on testing? 46.4

After my CPAP...my average episodes per hour with my CPAP? 1.2 I've proposed to my machine twice now lol. I saw an incredible difference on the day following the second visit to the sleep lab when they set up the pressure I need. I was wide awake all day, alert and happy for a change! I got giddy in the afternoon and I was so upset I had to wait to get my trial machine. No problem sleeping with the mask/machine then or now. I used the trial machine for 4 weeks, then got my own. I've used my machine every night since and I love it! The symptoms "before" are either totally gone or noticeably changing to correct themselves because my body is functioning so much better. I've noticed even my skin looks different, healthier. My eyes have sparkle again! I've started going out again and having some fun. I pack up my machine and take it wherever I go on the weekends in case I wind up staying out overnight. I had no idea just how bad I felt before. I know it's different for everyone and if you're having trouble sleeping with your CPAP...keep trying...don't give up...it is so worth it to feel happy, alert and alive again!

[ddk]

Before being diagnosed with severe sleep apnea I thought feeling like shit every day, all day, was just normal. I'm fairly certain that I've had this my entire life as I've always snored even as a child and I've always felt crappy. After a motorcycle accident my leg was permanently injured and shortly after that I lost all my money in a failed business venture. The combination of not being able to exercise properly and suffering from chronic depression meant that I started putting on a lot of weight, which of course made the apnea worse.

It got to the point where I wanted to kill myself because life was just miserable. Fighting to stay awake all the time, being so exhausted I could barely get the motivation up to do anything other than watch TV or sit at the computer, eating like crap because I constantly craved energy and was too fatigued to shop/cook properly and not being able to string sentences together because I my brain was a big, fuzzy, ball of fur. I could literally drink two Rockstars in a row and be asleep a minute later. I know, because I've done it.

CPAP isn't perfect. It's not a cure. But life with it is at least bearable. I've even lost weight simply because I'm eating much better and far less. If you're having problems, try using a different mask, different humidities, change settings, ramp times, sleeping positions, pillows, chinstraps, everything and anything to find what works. Breathing is important, yo.

[lisacaice]

Thank you for sharing your stories.

[RogerSC]

I felt fine before I had a sleep study...I snored and my wife said that I would stop breathing sometimes, but felt rested most of the time. Now I'm not snoring and feel more sleepy when I get up, but I'm also getting older and don't sleep as well due to aches and pains, etc. The sleepiness dissipates, and I feel okay after a few minutes. Also, my blood pressure is lower, but that's also due to getting more exercise. On the whole I think that I'm more healthy, and having the apnea under control is putting less stress on my body. So I feel pretty positive about the CPAP thing now.

My apnea, according to my sleep study, is pretty mild when I sleep on my side (AHI is 6-ish), and I've been trying to sleep only on my side for years now since I snore less that way, too. That may be why I felt okay before, because I was sleeping on my side, mostly, just guessing there.

[kteague]

My answer would be more of the same that's already been said. I think "living dead" pretty much sums it up - to the point I became no longer able to work and unsafe to drive or cook. I have other health issues that compromise my well being, but the change in my life of just getting my sleep apnea effectively treated has been dramatic enough to make me a huge advocate of sleep apnea awareness. In fact, it's why I continue to hang out here years after my own treatment has become stable. I remember the utter misery and I know what it did to my health, and if I can encourage just one person to begin or continue treatment, I want to do that.