30 Days with CPAP -newbie report.

[crazyd]

So I have made it through my first 30 days on the machine and had my followup with sleep doc. I had a home therapy service that works with the doctor.

I will try to just summarize as best I can as a newbie.

Pre sleep study Symptoms, 6 hours maybe of sleep, Chronic sleepiness during day. At night snoring, headaches, getting up frequently to go to bathroom, BP issues, AFIB event (one), lots of naps when ever I could.

Sleep study summary - AHI 15 on side sleep (my normal position), oxygen levels not too bad, recommended pressure set at 11.
Insurance covered everything.
First Night on machine was a bit tough. I like cooler temperature setting on machine (70), humidifier tank never gets fully emptied but house is humidified.
Next two weeks I adapted fairly nicely (must be lucky), minimal leaks on side sleeping, slept 7.5 hours a night, mostly slept though, never getting up for bathroom.No need for naps !
Second two weeks, some issues with comfort, a few nights at 6 hours, two days with naps, mainly due to stress or sickness.
Using CPAP lemon wipes to clean mask daily. Once a week soap. Bought 6 pack of hypoallergenic air filters.
30 day Appointment with doctor - AHI now 0.6. Home health service provide doctor and me with a 3 pages of bar graphs of sleep data. Doc said great - see me in a year.
Minor reductions in in BP levels (a tad lower), sleepiness gone mostly (not all) during day. No substantial increase in energy, but feel rested. Doctor said machine will help prevent future AFIB events.

Next steps - unplug machine (reset), download sleepyhead software for MAC and monitor my data over the next year. Maybe try the alternate Quatro air mask they gave me. 6 months for new mask and hose.


Thanks.

[robysue]

crazyd,

It sounds like you're off to a really good start. I say that with some real envy given how long it took me to start noticing any positive differences with sleeping with the machine.

[crazyd]

Thanks. I did get lucky from what I read here before I got started ... so many people have difficulties. Basically from day one it was on full time from getting into bed to waking. I insisted on the machine I have based on reviews here, but told by home healthcare company they don't really supply much else. The face mask was what they gave me at clinic and is also very well reviewed.I was impressed with both the sleep doc, the clinic, and the home health care service, and the doctors 30 day followup - as I have read some not so good stories here about docs, and followups with no data provided and just getting compliance for insurance .

I am not going to say I have not had issues of feeling smothered, pulled off mask early, having my cheeks blowing out (mainly on my back not side), but its not been insurmountable. Also as an asthmatic since birth, have had some experience with oxygen masks and breathing issues, and don't get generally get claustrophobic, which maybe tempered my ability to use a CPAP mask.

I also am prepared, from what I have read here - that just because I am off to a good start does not mean I may not have some changes, ups and downs over the next year and see and feel differently over time.

[flyingwithoutwings]

Awesome. You have a great support group. So jealous. For some of us it was just "you have OSA, here's your machine, your mask, good luck."

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

Best wishes crazyd that your early success will continue and that it will be a source of inspiration and encouragement for those who are still struggling and waiting for their own improvement/success!

John

[mgaggie]

Crazy, welcome to the forum.

Sounds like you have had a great start, I hope it continues. But I am glad you also have realistic expectations, it, means you won't get too upset if there is a hiccup in your therapy. I got very dejected and upset when I first started as I was expecting a miracle and didn't get one