I slept all night last nite!!!!!

[oak]

First time in 31 years I have slept all night!!! Thanks to everyone here for your help in getting to this point!

AHI .50
Average Pressure 11.18
Average Leaks .37

For the newbies, here are the steps I took since July 12th start:

1. got my records (a nightmare)
2. fired my doc
3. found my mask(lucky-only took two tries for me, YMMV)-leaks under control-got my pad a cheek
4. found my pillow (had to cut sides out of my pillow)
5. got my RLS diagnosed and treated (new doc)
6. got my ramp numbers to my liking
7. got my EPR numbers to my liking
8. solved my stuffy nose problem (got rid of scented soap for mask washing!)
9. got a card reader and started using sleepyhead and encore
10. worked with several members here to reset my 9CM set CPAP to a range that seems to be working (currently 9-15).

By the time i actually get to see a sleep doc in Sept, I hope its a boring appt!

Word to newbies: Keep plugging away!!! Keep trying!!! Don't give up!!!

[NeedHelp2]

Congratulations! That is excellent news.

[dwrek]

Congrats!

[DoriC]

Congrats Oak, you'll be an inspiration to the newbies(and not so new) who are still struggling.

[ems]

Oak... I am so envious of you! Sincere congrats to you for working so hard to get to this place. I intend to read your post over, and over, and over!!

[oak]

I see so many new people struggling with constant wakeups.............I realize the causes can be a multitude of things...but I worry when I see people giving up, because I truly believe that adjusting my pressure was the biggest help. So many people feel like they cant change things...well I didnt feel that way because I realized after reading so many posts that alot of times it is a matter of fine tuning these little things that makes all the difference...I know I will run into more problems down the road, but feel like I am finally over the initial hump.........

I am just astounded that I slept all night.............what a great, great feeling to not have to get up to go to the bathroom 2-3 times per nite.

My next project is to address the insomnia I have when falling asleep every nite.......but it helps so much to go back and look at what you have accomplished.

I recommend it for anyone who is feeling discouraged

[LSAT]

I see so many new people struggling with constant wakeups.............I realize the causes can be a multitude of things...but I worry when I see people giving up, because I truly believe that adjusting my pressure was the biggest help. So many people feel like they cant change things...well I didnt feel that way because I realized after reading so many posts that alot of times it is a matter of fine tuning these little things that makes all the difference...I know I will run into more problems down the road, but feel like I am finally over the initial hump.........

I am just astounded that I slept all night.............what a great, great feeling to not have to get up to go to the bathroom 2-3 times per nite.

My next project is to address the insomnia I have when falling asleep every nite.......but it helps so much to go back and look at what you have accomplished.

I recommend it for anyone who is feeling discouraged

I'm glad you finally had a full nights sleep. Just pray that this continues and that you are not back tomorrow with more concerns.

[oak]

I'm glad you finally had a full nights sleep. Just pray that this continues and that you are not back tomorrow with more concerns.

well, I might be. but I know I am at least halfway there.

[chunkyfrog]

Baby steps; and then you jump for joy!
I'm so happy for you.

[Janknitz]

Isn't that a FANTASTIC feeling when you wake and find you slept all night?

[ellen1159]

This is great news! I just graduated to sleeping 4-5 hours with the mask on, and I'm plagued with leaks, but I am working toward the goal of being able to write the same post myself one day soon.

Congratulations and good luck with the insomnia.

[oak]

hi ellen, i have been watching your posts. i was so glad to see you got to 4-5 hours. hang in there and keep asking questions. no question is too small.

regards, oak

[DEXSUZ]

Congrats, oak. I remember in April having my first all-night slumber in decades. What a bizarre but wonderful feeling it was to wake up, look at the clock, and see that it was morning instead of 12:45 a.m., 2:27 a.m., 3:23 a.m., or something else that was nowhere close to morning.


Crazy, isn't it, when you tell people who don't have our apnea problems what a new and fantastic phenomenon this is? Of course they've not gone through years and years of nocturnal misery.


Keep up the good work.

[DEXSUZ]

Ellen: it won't be long until you have an "all-nighter". I have the same mask as you and gradually worked up to a full night's effort after working to get all the bugs out of the procedure.


Do you use a strap that under your chin unites the two lower straps? As good as the QFX is, it kept running up my face and leaking dreadfully beneath the chin. Once my wife made a soft little strap, my problem with leaks was almost over.


My last irritant should be ameliorated when I receive the PadACheek liner I recently ordered. I've gotten a little tired of the imprints being on my face in the morning. They're gone later in the morning but that first look in the mirror when I wake up: yikes!

[DoriC]

Do you use a strap that under your chin unites the two lower straps? As good as the QFX is, it kept running up my face and leaking dreadfully beneath the chin. Once my wife made a soft little strap, my problem with leaks was almost over.

Dex, How difficult is it to remove the mask with the chin strap hooked up? How is it attached? I like that mask but had the same problem with it creeping up Mike's face. He doesn't have much dexterity so I'm wondering if he could handle that setup.