Is this the normal once on therapy

This is the beginning of my 3rd week on therapy. My first week was on a "Plus" and was horrible and the 2nd week was on an "Auto" set to APAP mode - much better. I don't have a card reader or software yet and it will most likely be a while until I can afford it, but I have been logging my daily AHI and Mask leak rate and the numbers are good. The worst my AHI has been was 1.3 and my mask leak is in the acceptable range for my pressure and mask type. I was feeling pretty good the first part of last week, but now starting my 3rd week I'm feeling pretty tired again. Is this normal to feel better and then fall back to feel rotten again? I am still waking up numerous times during the night and the last 2 nights I've been getting hot in the middle of the night. Also, my weight loss was going along pretty good and all of a sudden I am gaining a small amount of weight - around a pound or 2 at the most. What's going on here?

I have had what you're experiencing. My first week I felt pretty good during the day, even though I couldn't keep the mask on all night. But some days I don't feel as good. I figure it took me a long time to build up a bit "sleep debt" and it will take me just as long to pay it back completely.... At least thinking that way makes me feel better.

I wouldn't worry about a couple of pounds of weight gain. Many women, me included, gain a few pounds of water weight sometime during their monthly cycle and then lose it quickly in a different part. It seems to be a little different for everyone.

Hang in there.

It's very normal.. called the honeymoon period (which then goes south). It's probably about your body adjusting and readjusting, and for some of us, we find we may need to go with a full face mask (though didn't seem to need it before), or a different mask, or sleep schedule, etc. etc. One thing would be to just give it more time, because only you can be the judge of how it's working. Weight gain is a problem for me, for instance (and I think for others) because all of a sudden a loss of 5 lbs can mean you're suddenly sleeping great again, and a gain of 3 lbs just the opposite... get's frustrating for sure, but it's part of the OSA 'syndrome'.

What are your pressure settings?

What do the leak numbers look like?

I have really had a hard time with my appetite being increased because my metabolism is cranked up by the therapy. I've gained weight too, where I had hoped to lose. The trick is to try to eat MORE, but eat BETTER food, and ramp up the exercise.

That's my story. But I have yet to stick to it

Good luck!!!!
Barbara

CorgiGirl wrote:I wouldn't worry about a couple of pounds of weight gain. Many women, me included, gain a few pounds of water weight sometime during their monthly cycle and then lose it quickly in a different part. It seems to be a little different for everyone.

This. I will be going along, losing a little here and there and then all the sudden, I am up 2-3 lbs overnight. A few days later, I lose 2-3 lbs overnight. That's just what it means to be female.

DreamStalker wrote:What are your pressure settings?

What do the leak numbers look like?

I was titrated at 8, but since I changed to an M Series Auto the RT said my setting are now 6-15, if I remember correctly or was it 6-10. I can't remember (short term memory loss ).

Leak numbers (I think they are averaged since I have to go by the machine's display) 27.7 (highest was 29.1 - lowest was 26.8, but again those are averages that depend on the readings from other days in the equation). According to the book that came with my mask (Quattro - so it's a FFM) if I am understanding correctly for a pressure of 8 a rate of 32 is acceptable. The machine is showing consistently that the 90% pressure is 7.5, so it's been pretty close to what I was titrated at.

I only have hypopneas - no apneas if that makes a difference. According to the study I am in the mild to moderate range. I can give you more information if you tell me what numbers you need. I don't want to confuse the issue with posting too much info that might not be pertinent.

OHhhh Snoozebutton, your Avatar , thank you for making me laugh. How do you get them?

Good days and bad days - Hmmm, word is, it's normal. 5 weeks here & today - wicked bloodshot eyes, pressure between my eyes....... maybe I need to raise my humidier level from a 2 to a 3.

DME going to e-mail me my first Resmed data card results this week.

Snoozebutton, we will prevail.

Violet wrote:OHhhh Snoozebutton, your Avatar , thank you for making me laugh. How do you get them?

Good days and bad days - Hmmm, word is, it's normal. 5 weeks here & today - wicked bloodshot eyes, pressure between my eyes....... maybe I need to raise my humidier level from a 2 to a 3.

DME going to e-mail me my first Resmed data card results this week.

Snoozebutton, we will prevail.

Violet, I'm glad you like it. The avatar came from some avatar site, can't remember which.

I've now gotten the software and card reader and looking at last night's results I had a very good night - AHI of 0.3, my best ever! My mask seems to be working very well, it does seem to have a break-in period, whether it is the mask itself or my adjustment of the mask I can't say, but I could tell it was fitting very well last night.

As to my original post I now believe my problem was Diet Coke. I have since talked to other people who have had water weight gain from drinking it, plus I don't need the caffeine anyway, so I'm off of it and doing better.

I also know that when my allergies are flaring my snoring and AHI go up, too. I can't imagine not using my CPAP now. I'm starting to feel better.