3 Weeks Down, Rest of My Life to Go

What a difference a week makes! (hmmmmm, wasn't there a song kinda like that???? Or was it about a day???) Thanks for the responses to my last post.....and the baseball hints were great! (hip and knee are all better now. Amazing what generous applications of "general" anaesthesia.....ie, JW Red Label Scotch...and a weekend of being a couch potato can accomplish! LOL)

Ok, to continue in a more serious mode. My cpap.com Goodknight 420E with humidifier arrived last Thursday (I've been using a rental from a DME). Software is still on backorder, however. I have used APAP every night for three weeks now, along with my Ultra FF mask. I finally got the mask properly adjusted about a week ago by loosening it a bunch! Too tight is NOT good.....it produced leaks as well as unsightly marks on my face, especially on the bridge of my nose. Now, however, with it loosened and adjusted properly, there is only a slight red mark on nose bridge which goes away by 2nd cup of coffee.

I discovered one VERY important thing, regarding the humidifier. It worked pretty well Thursday-Friday (or so I thought), but Saturday, Sunday and last night it worked MUCH better...cuz I finally turned the switch on the back of the humidifier to the "ON" position!! OOPS! I had to turn it down to about 2 due to rain-out, but wowzers, what a wonderful difference!

Also, based on info gained from reading the posts here, I upped my starting pressure last night to 6 (from 4) and turned off the IFL (I was waking to final pressures of 15-16 that wouldn't go down before turning off the IFL). Wowzers! Last night was the best night's sleep yet! I can't hardly wait for the software to arrive so I can see just how good things really are going!

On the down side, I've been dealing with my insurance company and was reminded that I have a $2,500 deductible that hasn't been met yet this year. So, the $799 for the 420E with humidifier will be counted toward my deductible. I WAS smart enough, however, to set up my cafeteria plan insurance so that my deductible will be paid from pre-tax dollars. I'm waiting for reimbursement from my account, which should be sent to me next week. I figure that I still saved over $1,000 by going with cpap.com instead of renting the unit from the DME for 13 months @ $115/month (just for the apap unit) and not having the humidifier or software included in the rental. Again, thanks to the wonderful members of this board for telling how to get the most bang for the buck!

It's only been 3 weeks for me, but I'm waking feeling rested after 7-8 full hours of sleep. Also, the chronic, deep-down-inside-tired-to-the-bone-numb-brain-falling-asleep-at-work-etc feelings are letting up. I still have a bunch of sleep debt to repay, but what a difference.

Folks, this therapy WORKS!! As for the idea of having to use an APAP for the rest of my life, well, the way I'm feeling now, I am looking forward to having and living the rest of my life, getting the rest I need! Hang in, everyone! It's worth it!

Ya'll have a great day and restful nights...... and don't forget to laissez les bon temps rollez! (Let the good times roll!)

That's good news TXKajun, you must be delighted with your progress.
Let's hope your willingness to share the good, bad and downright embarrassing bits of your experiences will help other new users to get through the difficult early stages.
All the best.