First Two Nights ... Wow!

[SomeJoe7777]

My first two nights with my machine immediately convinced me that I should have done this years ago.

Let me preface this by saying that I'm probably the exception and not the rule.

My first night started with getting the machine set up, getting the mask adjusted as best I could, and estimating some temperature and humidity settings that I might want. Since on the titration night at the sleep lab the humidity made my nose stuffy and I requested that it be turned off, I actually turned the humidifier to just pass-over mode (setting of 0) and temperature to equal room temperature. Basically I was just breathing filtered room air.

It took a little while to get comfortable with the mask & hose, and a little while longer to get used to breathing against the pressure. (Machine set to auto, 4-20, which is what the DME set it for based on the sleep study documentation, with EPR of 3, no ramp). It took about an hour to fall asleep. Woke up a few times during the night to turn, had to adjust hose, etc.

Slept about 5 hours, needed to get up Friday morning early (5:30 AM) for work. Now, normally, getting up at 5:30 AM after only 5 hours of sleep would have been extremely difficult -- groggy until mid-morning, headache, etc. Instead, I popped up at 5:30 AM with energy like I've never had in the morning before. I felt like I had slept a full 8 hours or more.

Second night (last night) was even better -- 7 1/2 hours sleep, and I had huge REM rebound. (I have a Zeo Bedside also, so I got my REM data from that). I spent 33% of the 7.5 hours in REM, and one REM period was nearly 2 hours long. Nearly 50 minutes in deep, which is more than I normally do (before CPAP I averaged 35-40 minutes on a good night). I actually remembered images from some of my dreams, which I never do.

On both nights, I had virtually no problems with the mask -- almost no leaks at all (confirmed by Sleepyhead), no snoring, AHI 0.9 on first night, 1.4 on 2nd. (Before-treatment AHI was 34 overall, 45 REM, 66 supine). Woke up this morning with just as much energy as the previous morning. It's now evening and by now I would have had a serious need for an afternoon nap, and I don't need one at all.

I needed to make a slight adjustment to humidity and temperature on the 2nd night, as my throat was a little dry yesterday morning. So I upped humidity to a 0.5 setting and increased temperature 2 degrees, that seemed decent last night. Also needed to make some slight adjustments to the mask for comfort.

I wish everyone put on CPAP therapy could take to it as easily as I did, but I know that's not the case, which is very unfortunate. All I can say if you're having issues with yours is to follow the advice of those on this forum who have been through similar experiences and keep a determination about you that you can and will make it work. Even if it takes weeks or months, if you end up feeling like I do, it'll all be worth it.

[caffeinatedcfo]

This is fantastic news!

Welcome! Hopeful that your good fortune continues.

[sleepnasta]

excellent!! glad you've adjusted so well. i had a similar experience and have never looked back

[ellen1159]

Wonderful news! I am struggling along just trying to get used to the machine being on my face...actually going to bed with it on is nowhere close. But I'm thrilled for you and really glad that you notice the difference in your alertness the next day. Thats what I'm hanging in here for.

best of luck for continued success.

[patrick_a]

Welcome [back] to the land of the living from zombieland.

[quietmorning]

Wonderful!! This is so good to hear! Gives the rest of us some encouragement!

[Kate M]

Great news! I love to hear from folks that are doing great right from the start! ( I was starting to feel like a freak or something LOL)

I hope your experience only keeps getting better

Blessings,

Kate

[Stormynights]

I am happy for you.

[John from Brookston]

Congrats on your success! I hope it continues for you like this.

[SleepingBetty]

That's fantastic! I do hope it continues. My husband adjusted pretty quickly when he started nearly 13 years ago. It hasn't been as rough for me as for some here, but it has taken me awhile. And now, I feel like I've taken at least two steps back since trading in the loaner M Series machine for my own 60 Series. *sigh* I've adjusted the min pressure again, so here's hoping tonight is better.

[Thewino]

Man. That's Awesome!!!

I can't wait for for my sleep doc to write my script.

I hope I have the same good luck.

Be well!

TheWino

[Kenwood]

On both nights, I had virtually no problems with the mask -- almost no leaks at all (confirmed by Sleepyhead), no snoring, AHI 0.9 on first night, 1.4 on 2nd.

(Best Darth Vader voice) "Impressive.....most impressive!"