Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.

[Judith Murphy]

I Newbie, I'm from Aussie, and, like you, was amazed at the support I received through the CPAP community. I only had the sleep test because my partner said I was gasping for breath when asleep. I've been using the machine and mask for about 6 months now and, like you, haven't noticed much difference in my well being. They said I'd loose weight, I haven't. The said I'd have more energy, I don't feel as though I do. Two things have kept me going - 1. My partner can now get a good nights sleep and 2. My apnoea specialist says I have decreased my risk of stroke by 30%. So, although I can't be your favourite success story I can encourage you to keep going (like me) knowing that you must be a healther you for staying on the treatment. Good luck. Judy.

[beatlesfan]

SUCCESS STORY - I've been on CPAP therapy for moderate OSA for 6 months. I definitely feel like I have more energy and all of my fatigue symptoms have dissapeared. My blood pressure before cpap was 140s/100s, now with cpap and exercise its at 120s/80s. I started walking every day for 30 - 40 minutes and trying to eat a little less. I do take a low dose anti-anxiety med about an hour before bed and it helps tremendously. I feel great during the day and my ability to focus and concentrate is much improved.

[DianeH]

Just wanted to give an update. I have been on Cpap for 6 months now. I think I do have more energy than before treatment started. I know that I don't wake up with the pounding headaches anymore. I went through 3 other masks before settling with the Mirage Quattro. I am a very active sleeper and the MQ stays with me through the night. I can even sleep on my stomach, which I do frequently because of back problems. I got some good advise on this forum early on. Thanks to everyone that helped. I can't say that the thought of another 30 years on c-pap is pleasant but if it keeps me going, I will wear it faithfully.

I am in the process of changing DME providers because the first one in no longer in network for my insurance. I am due for a new mask and an thinking about changing to a hybrid nasalpillow/mouth mask. I think ResMed makes one. Does anybody have experience with this? I have tried the Swift nasal pillows, but they did not work well, and about once a week I wake up to find I am breathing through my mouth. I need something that can move with me in my sleep but also covers my mouth.

[Frederick H]

I've been using the CPAP for 10 years now, started in Aug 2003. Let me tell you it changed my life, my wife used to complain that I snored so loud that the neighbours can hear me. I was always tried, nearly had 2 auto mobile accidents while on the highway. Its never been plain sailing, have received my second CPAP machine and let me tell you I am struggling to adapt to my new machine. Its driving me nuts, breathing with the new machine is totally different than breathing with the old machine. You will learn through trial and error, if you still have problems go back to your doctor.

[limmkr]

First post, real newbie here, going on 3 weeks. Most of that with a loaner from Kaiser without humidifier. I just bought (no coverage) a IntelliPAP Auto w/humidifier and that did help with dryness. I knew in the first days it was helping with the quality of my sleep. I woke up earlier, but more "awake". Headache gone, and my wife next to me for the first time in months It is a pain, but the benefits far outweigh the cons. I am a bit curious what folks do when they do get sick and stuffed up?

[deedub]

Another first poster here.

I have been using CPAP for about 16 months. I started with a full face mask due to an issue I had at my sleep study (using nasal mask) where my nose plugged up and kind of scared me. I requested the full mask when I picked up the unit and my "clinician" threw in an extra nose mask (Mirage Activa LT). The first two weeks I used the full mask and had some trouble with not being able to lay on my side without my pillow lifting the mask and causing a leak. Then I decided to try the nasal mask and what a difference it made. Much more freedom of movement.

AFA the benefits go, I do not feel too much different during the day, maybe less tired and other than getting a better night's sleep, this thing makes me DREAM like never before! Nothing scary or nightmare-ish, but just dreams that I can remember. I almost always get 5-6 hrs uninterrupted deep sleep before arousing and then returning to sleep to DREAM for a couple hrs. It makes me wake up refreshed. Also no headaches from lack of O2.

YMMV,

Dave

[DizzyK]

My success story:

Pre-therapy I was falling asleep a lot, including almost running off the highway. I fell asleep almost every day after work, and many days I took a nap at work (I work for my husband, so he couldn't fire me). My family had reported really LOUD snoring, for years.

I started therapy seven months ago. Within a couple of days the naps became much less frequent.

After the first therapy night, my husband commented that the snoring was GONE. I switched masks after a month or so, and then he commented that the machine and mask were now VERY quiet.

The doctor had given me a prescription to stay awake. After a couple of weeks of therapy, I was able to drop the pills except for long-distance driving. I kept using it for long driving trips for a few months, but now I am off of it entirely.

I stopped waking and going to the potty every 30 minutes to every 2 hours. Now I sometimes make it through the entire night.

I got the software after a few weeks, and the reports confirmed my good results. I went from over 100 AHI during the first test to under 5 regularly.

BiPAP therapy is the most successful, low-side-effect medical treatment I have ever experienced!

Moogy

Hi, my AHI was 103.5 and it freaked me out, I have been at this about one month (06/14/13) and just found the right mask and pressure setting to help me sleep. I was hoping to find someone else in the 3 digit club. Did you see an ENT at all? Just curious if there are any surgery options that would help? I now have Aerophagia and hoping that will stop soon. I still fill full and not hungry at all. I'm a thin person....not sure what is really causing Apnea. I slept good 2 nights in a row now....hoping it will last. I have nasal congestion and a receding chin which is not great to have. I do have a brother (over weight)with sleep apnea and a sister (thin too) that is going to be tested soon. I am trying to cope with all of this,I will but it's still new to me.

[mrmeato]

Hello

From my side, yes I'm overweight which basically what causes it. But AHI went from 69 to 3.4. No snoring anymore, and I sleep less in terms of time but wake up very early. This coupled with blasting my body with 2.5-3 hours of biking a day (due to driving licence revocation) to work and back has obviously made improvements. Oddly enough, the sleep I am getting now removes all element of a bad feeling after having had a cheeky beer/glass of wine/cocktail or 2 the night before. So what do I see? A lot of useful help here (thanks guys), weight loss, better sleep, no headaches, more energy, no getting up to the bathroom 7 times a night, no snoring and my colleagues say that my irritability has gone.

I am very lucky I think as I've had few issues. However, I have always tried to maintain positive (even with the problems with not being allowed to drive for a few months). That was key for me - as fundamentally by proxy this would have "got me" in the end I am more or less sure. I like this thread because hopefully it gives people who are struggling a bit of chance to see what can be achieved. I am very glad I don't have a problem but I can only think that if you do stick with it the rewards are going to be 100% worth it.

[spotteddog]

My first night I had trouble going to sleep at bedtime due to "getting used to the mask" earlier in the evening which resulted in a GOOD 1/2 hr nap. But once I was tired I put the mask back on and got a good 4 1/2 hrs. Woke up feeling moderately "better" but noticed as the day went on that I was much less tired and more alert. I'm not trying to do a face plant into the keyboard. So I'd say a success so far.

[SleeplessInOttawa]

I've been on a CPAP machine for 10 months, and after a short period of brain fog early on, it's been amazing. I have more energy, my sheets aren't all torn up when I wake up, I don't have endless "awake" dreams that are not restful, I don't have endless nightmares (which I did almost every night), etc.

I have at least 50% more energy, maybe closer to 75%. It's been a life changer! Good luck everyone.

[Go-dog-go]

Hi Newbie! I've been 'using' for one week. For me, it has been easy....no problems adjusting to mask/machine. However, the silicone mask leaves my face feeling itchy and the straps leave marks and are uncomfortable at night. I have ordered strap pads and a mask liner from padacheek. Can't wait to see if they make a difference. I wake up early every morning without a headache.....Such a refreshing change. Hope things so well for you!

[Iowamv]

First night I opened my mouth several times, and learned what aerophagia is (woke up needing to belching a lot!). Got a chin strap the next day. That fixed the mouth opening and (for the most part) the aerophagia.

Since then, I have averaged 9+ hours of sleep a night. I sleep very soundly (before CPAP, everything woke me up, including my wife's snoring). And now I dream all night long. I didn't immediately feel extra energy, but I could tell that I was sleeping soundly. Today is Day 7 for me. I got almost 11 hours of sleep last night, thanks to it being Labor Day. And my AHI hit 0.0! I woke up feeling like a million bucks. I haven't felt this good in a long time. I'm sure I'm not completely recovered from all of those years of lost sleep, but today is the first day that I really felt happy and alert when I got up. I actually FELT like I'd gotten a good night's rest. Even with low AHI's (my average is around .2 or .3), I didn't bounce right back. It is now 2:30pm and I already feel like I could nap if I tried. I've been going to bed at 8pm, and with the success I've had, I'm actually looking forward to bedtime each night. I'm obsessed with my CPAP machine. I think it is a miracle of technology.

My approach to the CPAP is to keep in mind all of the nasty health effects that apnea causes, and then fully appreciate the amazing things these CPAP devices can do. I close my eyes thinking "thank God I'm finally doing all that I can to be safe and live through the night." I let the machine give me a sense of calm and reassurance. If you are religious, I have that feeling of closing my eyes and thinking "O.k., I'm in God's hands." Comfortable? I don't know, people put up with a lot worse when they have to. The fact is that my apnea was causing a major health problem. Treating it means I only have to wear this thing at night. Once I'm asleep, I don't really notice it. And the good feeling I get after a restful sleep is priceless. Definitely worth the effort.

I realize I'm one of the lucky ones, because I've read a lot of posts from folks who take a long time to adjust and who struggle to get their scores down where they want them. I do appreciate my situation. Just want to say that for me, this is totally worth it. I'm happy to do this for the rest of my life.

[russ hall]

I have been using cpap for 15 years . Threw away the full face mask right from the start went to the nasal pillow system , in the beginning sleeping was hard it took me 6 months to a year to get used to it. For me using a cpap machine is a life or death decision. Cpap has changed my life I now feel so much better I wake up easier can stay awake all day and night . Starting out using a Cpap system can be trying use the ramp up system if you have it to start, don't think you half to stick to the mask they sent home with you if you are having problems find what works for you . I have passed two WMT over the years wore out two Cpap machines and am 99* plus compliance each person will make his or her choice for me life is good and I want to be around . Make the program work for you and you too will feel it in the end.

[darco]

I am a bit curious what folks do when they do get sick and stuffed up?

Ya thats a good question...I didnt think of that ...any advice especially us nasal mask users?
thxs
darco

[Kenwood]

I'm one of those success stories the newbies are looking for...

I've documented my CPAP journey which started in February 2013 in great detail in my thread. My Sleep Study AHI was 131. I struggled badly on a FFM with massive leaks. Everyone said high pressure users cannot use nasal pillows. My BiPAP pressures are 15.5 to 22cm. This forum's Pugsy took me under her wings and guided me. She sent me some nasal pillow to try and that changed everything for me. I am forever grateful to Pugsy and this forum for my success story. My thread is filled with massive amounts of almost daily Sleepyhead graphs. Plus my sleep study results. Its a very LONG thread (over 20 pages long)....but I did this to help others. We all were a Newbie once. Feel free to post in my thread any questions or comments. Its there for the Newbies...

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