Thoughts on Improvement

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:06 pm

As I was driving to my aunt and uncle's home for Thanksgiving, it occurred to me that my efforts to get there had changed greatly.

I have other medical conditions that have been treated (finally) before I started CPAP 8 months ago. Those treatments definitely helped, but still left me tired, lacking energy, sleeping 12-14 hours a day, and NOT living the life I would choose.

Last Thanksgiving, I had to drag out of bed, shower and dress, and hurry to the car. This was the result of a sheer force of will. It took me much longer to do these tasks than it should have, and I was about a half hour late arriving. I had NOT A CLUE where the time had gone while getting ready.

This year, I did the same routine, but left on time. I was still late--3 minutes. Actually, I do not even consider that truly late! What a difference. No problem getting ready, no problem leaving, and no sheer force of will to get myself moving. I actually even dressed up. Last year, I wore jeans and a sweater.

This is all an indication of my slow, but subtle, improvement. CPAP is the only major change in my treatment. I am now more active, sleeping less than 9 hours a day, and feel better. This improvement just crept up on me slowly.

This had to be shared with the forum. My hope is that another person who is feeling that none of the effort is paying off will see this posting, and stick with xPAP for a while. It IS worth seeking that slow, subtle improvement over time.

We are ALL different, yet there are similarities among all of us. Celebrating the differences is as important as recognizing the similarities. Kudos to all of us as we adapt and adjust medical support and equipment to get effective treatment for ourselves.

We are already tweakers of equipment, and vast improvements have occurred in the equipment from manufacturers over the years. However, the most important factor is compliance and patience—the rest will come if these two are present!

Improvement from quality sleep is not something that can be speedily delivered. Although it does happen for some, it is not true for all.

Best wishes for a thankful and restful weekend.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:47 pm

What a great letter! It should be kept as part of the forum's archives!

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:27 pm

I agree with Julie!
What a great reflection of the changes xpap can make in a person's life! And though some of us see the changes sooner, the long term result is a better quality of life and improved health!
Bravo, birdshell!

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:29 pm

BRAVA Karen!!!!

So very well said and so inspirational to us all, newbie and vet alike.

This communtiy is indebted to you!

Chuck

Catnapper · Post by **Catnapper** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:14 pm

Hello again birdshell,

You and I (as well as countless others) yesterday took inventory of things we are thankful for and for changes and improvements in the past year.

In July 2005 I had both my knees replaced. Last Thanksgiving I was still struggling with the recovery and disheartened that my legs were not better than they were. Yesterday I announced that I was thankful that my legs are finally working pretty well. I did express the hope that next Thanksgiving would find me in better sleep health, and feeling rested and strong again. You have given me hope that by looking back I will see the changes I am too impatient to recognize today.

Thanks, birdshell. See you next Thanksgiving!

the Catnapper

rustynail · Post by **rustynail** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:29 pm

YIPPEE ! !

Thank you birdshell!

It was wonderful of you to share that with us and I am going to jump up to do the happy-dance just as soon as i hit the 'Submit' button!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:34 pm

That's a wonderful description, birdshel, thanks for taking the time to write it.
I've submitted to link to it to "Our Collective Wisdom", it belongs there.

O. - another one who felt the change gradually.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:29 pm

Wow, you folks are all so kind! Of course, we knew that before, but here is true confirmation.

But, even so, thank you for all of the compliments, nice thoughts, and for believing that this should be saved. I am honored.

I am glad that my experience was valuable to someone. That was my goal in sharing my thoughts.

Karen

michaelho · Post by **michaelho** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 3:54 am

Having been on CPAP for only 3 weeks, I am still exhausted and going out to the car to have a nap at lunchtime. Otherwise during important afternoon meetings in my job, I start to feel as if I'm going to nod off.
I've only just found a machine that I can cope with and the current mask is OK, but not without issue, re side sleeping and leaks. I am not into full night's sleep yet on CPAP. I last from 1930- 2230hrs till 0230hrs or so, then rip it off (and go to the toilet). I go back to sleep without (for a break!) and If I wake again (usually about 1-2 hours later) I'll try again with the mask until waking in the morning. The most I've achieved is about 5 hours.
I know that I'm not thrashing about when I'm on the machine, according to my wife so that's great and it does work. I just have to feel the rewards as yet!

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:34 am

I was reading along and was thinking it was a thread about this holiday season, till Thanksgiving was referred to in the past tense and I looked at the date of 2006.

So, Birdshell, now that last's year's report has resurfaced, looks like it's about time for an annual update. Let us know how your 2007 holiday goes comparative to the 2005 and 2006 report.

Kathy

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:32 pm

Will do, Kathy! Only a few days to go...

michaelho wrote:Having been on CPAP for only 3 weeks, I am still exhausted and going out to the car to have a nap at lunchtime. Otherwise during important afternoon meetings in my job, I start to feel as if I'm going to nod off.
I've only just found a machine that I can cope with and the current mask is OK, but not without issue, re side sleeping and leaks. I am not into full night's sleep yet on CPAP. I last from 1930- 2230hrs till 0230hrs or so, then rip it off (and go to the toilet). I go back to sleep without (for a break!) and If I wake again (usually about 1-2 hours later) I'll try again with the mask until waking in the morning. The most I've achieved is about 5 hours.
I know that I'm not thrashing about when I'm on the machine, according to my wife so that's great and it does work. I just have to feel the rewards as yet!

Now, Michealho, onto another and more important subject: I was in about the same place as you at 3 weeks in. I am also a side sleeper, and the Swift was not doing anything to help me. So, I turned it in to the DME provider WITH NO PENALTY! They provided me with a loaner so that I could survive until the mask that the RT thought would work could be ordered.

(According to good sources, every major mask manufacturer has a 30 day return guarantee--whether your DME provider's representative knows it or not.)

I also had a chin strap that caused a lot of slipping and sliding of the Swift's straps on my hair, given the fact that BOTH were slippers and sliders. There are a number of good masks out there, PLUS there are a number of "fixes" invented by our faithful Forum Folk that may improve comfort and therapy.

I have used 9-10 (or is it 11?) masks to date, some in various versions, and I've not hit the two year mark yet.

I'll post more about my experience in my Thanksgiving day addition; but till then, sleep as WELL as you can.

Karen

michaelho · Post by **michaelho** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 4:31 am

I've bitten the bullet and ordered the machine - respironics auto with humidifier & Cflex (use3). Seems an Ok machine- mind you I've set it on CPAP for now at 11cm just to 'settle down'- this was the prescription from the titration night. The going up & down was causing me problems so settled on Cpap. Anyway I can use the auto when I lose weight... (haha--note 'when')
Because of the 'deal' I've ordered another different mask that I hope will be better for side sleepers (fisher & Paykel 407)- will have to wait and see!
Last night was SOOO bad as I quit the machine at 2.30am then felt so bad at 3.30am with 'not being able to breath'. So didn't re-attach and went back to 'sleep' without the machine.I paid the price with work today though.... incredibly tired- had to nap at morning tea and lunchtime- AND had trouble making executive decisions- I hope for a more disciplined night tonight! God this is hard!

Thoughts on Improvement

Thoughts on Improvement

Brava!!!!

Thanksgiving reflections

Slow to improve

Old thread from Thanksgiving 2006

Re: Slow to improve