First 50 days of Therapy

Hello Everyone, I have just completed 51 days of CPAP therapy using Airsense Autoset 10 machine. Which does a decent job for my case as the sleep study before the therapy gave an AHI of 27.4 and now after using the therapy now I am in the range of AHI = 0.43 for the past 50 days. I even did a AHI =0 last night which I am not sure if its a good news or not. I do have couple of unresolved issues here:

1. If I do use a heated tube with the temperature set at 24 Degrees C, i am getting heavy nosebleeds in the morning. Without the heated tube everything seems fine.
2. I am sleeping soo much these days as if I haven't slept ever in my life, something like 9 hours a day on an average. I even did sleep for 11.5 Hours one night.. Is this something normal?
3. I am able to focus on my work better and restarted my biking of 20-30 kilometers a day and I really do feel fine but still have some sort of day sleepiness. Would this get better over time? SO that i can start driving again? I am too scared to drive at the moment as I might cause some accident.. My confidence has improved since the start of CPAP therapy.

My doctor says i am doing absolutely fine, wanted to reach out to the community to see if I can get some support and I am not walking alone here.. Thanks a lot

lufyduck wrote: ↑

Wed May 03, 2023 7:45 am

1. If I do use a heated tube with the temperature set at 24 Degrees C, i am getting heavy nosebleeds in the morning. Without the heated tube everything seems fine.

The answer seems so easy: Quit using heat. It's just a personal preference and comfort feature. It helps prevent rainout for people who use a high humidity setting.

lufyduck wrote: ↑

Wed May 03, 2023 7:45 am

2. I am sleeping soo much these days as if I haven't slept ever in my life, something like 9 hours a day on an average. I even did sleep for 11.5 Hours one night.. Is this something normal?

Normal sleep requirements are 7 to 9 hours. I would feel absolutely blessed if I could get 9 hours. Mine is around 6 to 7.

lufyduck wrote: ↑

Wed May 03, 2023 7:45 am

3. I am able to focus on my work better and restarted my biking of 20-30 kilometers a day and I really do feel fine but still have some sort of day sleepiness. Would this get better over time? SO that i can start driving again? I am too scared to drive at the moment as I might cause some accident.. My confidence has improved since the start of CPAP therapy.

That's mostly great news. You may be overdoing it with the biking and need to build yourself up more gradually. How old are you? Is your biking terrain hilly? How hard do you ride? How excessive is the daytime sleepiness?

It's great you're doing so well with CPAP!

About your residual sleepiness: I wonder whether you're sleeping as soundly as you might. To what extent to you follow these guidelines for good sleep?

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Get up at the same time every day, even on weekends or during vacations.
• Set a bedtime that is early enough for you to get at least 7 hours of sleep.
• Don’t go to bed unless you are sleepy.
• If you don’t fall asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed.
• Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.
• Use your bed only for sleep and sex.
• Make your bedroom quiet and relaxing. Keep the room at a comfortable, cool temperature.
• Limit exposure to bright light in the evenings.
• Turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
• Don’t eat a large meal before bedtime. If you are hungry at night, eat a light, healthy snack.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.
• Avoid consuming caffeine in the late afternoon or evening.
• Avoid consuming alcohol before bedtime.
• Reduce your fluid intake before bedtime.

Thanks a lot for the answers. I am 38 years old and I used to bike 80-100 kilometers atleast once a week on road or 10-20 kilometers mountain biking, for the last couple of years since the lockdowns started, I did pickup 20+ kilos and all sorts of bad things were happening to my body.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Wed May 03, 2023 8:05 am

lufyduck wrote: ↑

Wed May 03, 2023 7:45 am

1. If I do use a heated tube with the temperature set at 24 Degrees C, i am getting heavy nosebleeds in the morning. Without the heated tube everything seems fine.

The answer seems so easy: Quit using heat. It's just a personal preference and comfort feature. It helps prevent rainout for people who use a high humidity setting.

lufyduck wrote: ↑

Wed May 03, 2023 7:45 am

2. I am sleeping soo much these days as if I haven't slept ever in my life, something like 9 hours a day on an average. I even did sleep for 11.5 Hours one night.. Is this something normal?

Normal sleep requirements are 7 to 9 hours. I would feel absolutely blessed if I could get 9 hours. Mine is around 6 to 7.

lufyduck wrote: ↑

Wed May 03, 2023 7:45 am

3. I am able to focus on my work better and restarted my biking of 20-30 kilometers a day and I really do feel fine but still have some sort of day sleepiness. Would this get better over time? SO that i can start driving again? I am too scared to drive at the moment as I might cause some accident.. My confidence has improved since the start of CPAP therapy.

That's mostly great news. You may be overdoing it with the biking and need to build yourself up more gradually. How old are you? Is your biking terrain hilly? How hard do you ride? How excessive is the daytime sleepiness?

lufyduck wrote: ↑

Wed May 03, 2023 7:45 am

2. I am sleeping soo much these days as if I haven't slept ever in my life, something like 9 hours a day on an average. I even did sleep for 11.5 Hours one night.. Is this something normal?

Perfectly normal. Your body is catching up. I slept like a dead person for 2-3 months after starting therapy, sometimes as much as 14 hours. It normalizes eventually.

Ever hear that old Borscht Belt joke?
Patient: "Doctor, doctor, it hurts when I do this!"
Doctor: "So don't do that".

Don't use the heated hose if it gives you nosebleeds. Humidification and heat are comfort measures. We all have to find our "sweet spot" for humidification, and we're all different.

Otherwise you are doing great!

I craved sleep for months after I finally got my CPAP dialed in. it felt so darn good to sleep comfortably all night and to wake so peaceful and calm. Enjoy it.
And how wonderful that you are already seeing the benefits!

Hello everyone, I wanted to take a moment to share my story, not as a means of boasting but as a beacon of hope for anyone navigating the challenges of sleep apnea and related health struggles. Despite my relatively young age, I found myself burdened by sleep apnea and reliant on a CPAP machine—a device that became both a lifeline and a daily reminder of how far my health had declined.

When I realized how much my health and lifestyle were affecting every aspect of my life, I knew I needed change. The journey wasn’t straightforward. At one point, I even considered using a weight-loss medication like Ozempic to jumpstart my efforts. But something in me wanted to see if I could achieve transformation naturally—through sheer willpower, proper support, and a healthier lifestyle. With that resolve, I took a leap of faith—a move that changed everything.

The Leap That Changed Everything One of the most transformative decisions I made was to move out of California and start fresh on Portugal’s Atlantic Silver Coast. The calm beauty of the coastline and the simplicity of European life became the perfect backdrop for my health journey. Seeking help from a nutritionist and gastroenterologist, both of whom provided invaluable guidance, I crafted a plan rooted in balance—proper diet, consistent exercise, and intentional living.

Over the span of just four months, I achieved something I had once thought impossible: I lost over 60 pounds. And with that weight loss came extraordinary results. My sleep apnea was completely cured—no more CPAP machine! My fatty liver began to heal, and my energy levels surged. For the first time in years, I felt genuinely alive.

An Unexpected Discovery During my weight loss journey, I encountered a small but significant twist of fate—a sunburn. Yes, you read that right. A minor sunburn on my head forced me to skip wearing my CPAP mask for a week. I wasn’t expecting anything significant to come of it, but my wife did. She pointed out that, during those nights, I wasn’t snoring anymore. Skeptical but curious, I decided to do a couple of sleep tests—and she was absolutely right. My apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) had dropped to less than 2.1. I was officially free from sleep apnea, and I couldn’t have been happier—or more amused at how a little sunburn sparked this realization!

Remarkable Results and Lessons Learned The greatest gift was seeing myself in the mirror and recognizing a version of me that looked—and felt—10 years younger. The shift wasn’t just physical; it was emotional and mental as well. I learned that we are capable of remarkable transformation when we commit wholeheartedly to change. And honestly, looking back, I’m proud of how I navigated the temptation to look for a shortcut. Opting for the natural path wasn’t easy, but for me, it was the most fulfilling option.

A New Chapter of Life Today, I relish the healthy, delicious European foods I once overlooked. The sunsets on the Atlantic beaches serve as a daily reminder of how far I’ve come. My latest sleep study revealed an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) below 2.1—a stark contrast to where I began—and I couldn’t be happier.

Another unexpected bonus? My newfound respect for my in-laws! Their endless advice on healthy eating, which I once found a bit intrusive, suddenly made them sound like wise sages. Now, I not only thank them for their tips but also trade recipes (yes, I even gave in to their suggestion for salad—it’s actually pretty tasty!).

To Those Reading This If you’re struggling with sleep apnea or facing health issues, please know this: change is possible. It’s not easy, and there will be challenges along the way. But with determination, support, and a willingness to start anew, you can rewrite your story just as I did. Trust the process, and take it one step at a time—you deserve the life you envision for yourself.