What is normal?

I noticed that many CPAP users (myself included) take a very long time to get back to "normal". Personally, I've had apnea so long that I honestly can no longer remember what it felt like to be anything other than exhausted all the time. I know I'm vastly better than pre-CPAP, but I'm pretty sure I'm not there yet. I, and hopefully others, would benefit from people describing what it feels like when you get there (do you still get tired during the day? How much coffee do you drink? How much sleep are you getting? How do you generally feel?).

Covering my butt: I know everyone's different and there's no true normal and I should just keep at it and I'll get there and so on. Thanks for the help!

I think normal might be to be able to do what you have to each day without falling apart (or asleep) and still have a little left over for your family or fun, at least on a few days a week. You should have enough energy to feel pro-active about some things - at work or otherwise - and if Cpap does not help enough in a reasonable time, you could then look into possible underlying depression or other med issues. Obviously if you're more elderly vs 20 that will make a difference, but only a relative one I believe.

"normal" changes all the time. At 65 my normal is not the same as at 25,35,45,55

that's pretty much it. It's very hard to really understand or remember what normal feels like. It's been a week for me, and I do feel more alter now, but at the same time, I'm still pretty lethargic and sleepy. I'm not angry and almost in tears over having to get out of bed in the morning, so there's that, but at the same time I'm going stir crazy and anxious. Brain wants to do things, but the body's still fighting it telling me to lie down, or losing interest after a few minutes of whatever activity I started.

Right now I'm on 2 cups of coffee in the morning, and nicotine almost constantly during the day - I vape it so there's not nearly as much negative interaction as there would be with a tobacco product. It's removed almost all of the irritability completely. Got a full 8 hours of sleep last night, and I'm still yawning. Things feel "better" to some degree, but I kinda feel dreamy.

Blackspinner, are you talking age, or AHI?

ironhands wrote: Blackspinner, are you talking age, or AHI?

Age.

I journal (somewhat infrequently at times) and it really helps to see the changes in your life. Before I moved 2 years ago I went through all my journals before I threw them out. The changes in my outlook from before getting my cpap and after were dramatic even though they didn't feel like it at the time. I just noticed that I was more awake and aware - that things just seemed brighter and better tuned in. But when I read the entries later the change was just amazing.

Right now my life sucks and is not "normal" I am looking after my mother who has dementia and is pretty well crippled and in a wheel chair and going downhill quickly slowly. I am over stressed dealing with the medical and health support mafia, I am sleeping badly and due to lifting her to often I have some health issues too. I feel like crap but it is not the fault of my cpap therapy which is wonderful and keeping me functioning.

"Normal" is doing what needs to be done with some energy left over to do what gives you back the emotional motivation to keep on and give meaning to life. The last part of that sentence is what cpap therapy gave back to me.

I have always been suspicious of 'perfect' people;
and 'normal' people scare the dickens out of me.
There is something inherently wrong with a clean desk, and well-behaved children,
however, I can deal with the latter, at least until they reveal their true colors.
Devoted spouses are less common than they should be,
and I consider myself fortunate to have captured one.

Aww Chunky, what a nice note (and I agree 100% with the 1st para.!).

The answer to this question has been debated for centuries. I believe normal is defined by the eccentricities of the majority. Normal is much like what is sane. It is not something to strive for. One should strive for excellent. Do not settle for normal.

lastlib wrote:The answer to this question has been debated for centuries. I believe normal is defined by the eccentricities of the majority. Normal is much like what is sane. It is not something to strive for. One should strive for excellent. Do not settle for normal.

Yes settling for second best is only good in compromise situations where you don't want to lose your partner.