Newbie would like to hear success stories, please.

I just finished my second week. The pressure (straight 12 initially; changed to straight 13 yesterday) has not been an issue for me. The only real problem was a nose mask abrading the bridge of my nose; that was easily fixed by switching to nose pillows (the Swift LT).

Two nights ago I had an unpleasant feeling of shortness of breath when I first lay down, but not last night when I read a chess book for about 20 minutes before turning off the light. Reading in bed may be bad sleep hygiene in general, but I seem to have found a soporific exception in chess books, even though I really love chess. This morning, after my first night using a fully data capable S9 Elite, my AHI was 0.8. Also, with the +1 increase yesterday, I slept through the night and had no nocturia. So far, I am a successful CPAP user.

Don't give up; persevere!

TWO WEEKS LATER: I just read my original post. After two more weeks, it sounds quite mediocre. I feel much better. I have been to the gym and spent an hour on the treadmill 5 times in the last two weeks. I will try to go 5 times this week. No weight loss yet (in fact, I seem to have gained a little), but I continue to feel and function better and better. CPAP has changed my life dramatically.

Been using a CPAP since 2003. I never looked back. I brought it home and took a nap and felt really refreshed. Slept with it the first night and woke up and went in the kitchen and said, "Good Morning," to my husband and he was shocked. In six years of marriage I had never said that in the morning. Also, the no snoring was a huge plus. I am highly compliant because it has made me feel better. I cannot sleep without it, and even use battery chargers so that I can go on week long camp outs with it.

I did experiment with various masks, but have stayed with my original machine. I think that if you aren't feeling the results, you might go back for a consult to make sure you are at the right pressure and don't be afraid to try multiple masks to get the fit and comfort just right. I use a machine that blows a continuous stream of air and like that, probably because I got used to it.

Good luck and I hope that you find just the right combination that makes the difference for you.

Hey cat lover, I've been on CPAP for over 5 years and have benefited greatly. CPAP has helped my acid reflux stop during the night, has cleared up my sinuses, prevents nasal allergies at night, has given me energy and focus, and, of course, has helped my heart rate/blood pressure. I had a hard time adjusting to it at first--took about 6-8 months. What I found was that I initially had a hard time going to sleep with the mask on so I went to sleep without it and then when I would awaken a couple of hours later gasping for air, I would put the mask on and fall into a deep sleep. I did this for several weeks until I found that I could fall asleep with the mask on. Now, even after 5 years, I sometimes get frustrated with the mask and feeling tied to a machine, so I sometimes rip the mask off for an hour or two until I find I can't really breathe or sleep well without it, so on it goes again and off to sleep I go. Believe me though, the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience and expense. Prior to getting my CPAP, I was told I was severely depressed, but that was due to sleep deprivation, not mental illness! Good luck and stick with it--you won't be sorry. Katsu511 in Estes Park, CO

Just one piece of advice: There is no such thing as a comfortable CPAP mask.

I'm sure there are many success stories to inspire and motivate you, but this one is mine. I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and began the CPAP regimen about two months ago. My doctor and I have concluded the thereapy is working, based on the data recorded by my machine. More subjectively, I know it's working because I no longer feel exhausted when I awake in the morning, and I definitely feel much better. The improvement is gradual, and I think it is probably easy to overlook it because changes are subtle and occur slowly. Also, if you have other physical issues, they may be masking the improvement you've experienced using CPAP. In order to speed things up, be sure you are getting some exercise each day, you are using good sleep habits, and are taking good care of yourself in general. Good luck!

This weekend I went to a local sci fi convention. This year I actually ran a workshop and had two costumes in the competition - I was in one of them and i won best workmanship award for mine. My daughter won best interpretation for hers.
Last year I had one costume in the competiton and my daughter wore it (and won) I also helped out. No way I would have gotten up on stage in a costume. This year with 10 lbs less on me and feeling good about myself I did it!

Catnapper, if you have used your machine since Aug 4th and you haven't noticed a difference, I suggest you go back to your provider and make sure the settings are correct for you! My people started me out at 12 and it wasn't enough for my body size, lung capacity, whatever, and so they bumped mine up to 15 and it has made all the difference! I also had to try different size masks to find one that fit my nose and face at first! The wrong size mask will be uncomfortable or it will leak around the periphery of the mask! The other huge tip is to find a comfortable chin strap and use it! It should surprise no one that the pressure pushes out your mouth as soon as it drops open after you fall asleep! It is fantasy to think you can keep your mouth closed while you are asleep! I also found that sleep position is critical! It might be more comfortable to wear the mask while you sleep on your back but I sleep lousy on my back! I just position the mask and hose so that I can sleep on my side. like I always have, and I sleep soundly! I now am able to go right to sleep, sleep 7 hours and wake up before my alarm goes off, and am totally rested! Since then, I have have one miserable night camping(ie no CPAP) and tried to get by with my "Silent Nite" dental snoring device and had a quick reminder of how I used to catnap all night long and wake up exhausted!

After my first week I asked my wife how it was going from her perspective. She said we needed to get a white noise machine because things were now too quiet w/o my snoring! I've been feeling pretty good, I think I lucked out with my mask + head shape because that hasn't presented too many problems since the first night.

So, things seem to be better all around.

I completely understand how you feel; I've been using CPAP since 9/11/01 and started with a nasal mask, which helped some but I soon doscovered that I needed a full face mask because my nose stuffs up during the night at my home and then I breathe through my mouth. It took a long time for me to get a decent full face mask because the cpap company I have gave me the cheapest and least effective mask. I had to be proactive with them to get what I really needed. If you're still feeling tired then whatever mask you're using isn't giving you 100% of the therapy or your pressure isn't hgh enough for your home environment. Once I got a good mask and switched to a vpap that changes pressure according to my needs during the night,I started feeling rested after the first night.

I went undiagnosed for almost 20 years and had reached such a state of sleep deprivation and oxygen deprivation that I started having blackouts (I could be standing and talking to someone and then suddenly pass out; hitting the floor was the worst part of that). I also had pressure problems because my home environment was not as dust-free as the sleep study center so I had an insufficient pressure level. They did a home test and discovered that I needed variable pressure ranging from 8 to 15 instead of a continuous pressure of 9. Getting variable pressure and a better mask changed everything and I began feeling better after one night's sleep. My advice is to research the masks online and find a mask that you think would work better for you, then be very proactive with your doctor and/or supply company about getting the right mask for you. I went through 5 different masks before finding an adequate one; now I'm going to try the full mask with nasal pillows because the Ultra Mirage I'm using now has the tendency to leak and it makes the bridge of my nose really sore when I tighten the head gear so the mask won't leak. It also leaks at the bottom corners because my face is heart-shaped. So be proactive and pushy so you get the right mask and right pressure level(s) that you personally need. If you didn't feel rested after the first night of therapy, then you aren't using the appropriate system for you because I felt 200 times better after my first night of cpap therapy.

I have had a CPAP for 15 years, and cannot live without it. Had to a couple of nights over the years for various reasons, including power outages. My initial success, the first time I could see a tremendous difference, was the night I took my sleep test. The few hours I wore the mask were the first hours of great sleep I had in years.

Hang in there, it will come.

I'm not free of being sleepy during the day but I can tell that I feel better than pre-apap. I tried cpap a few years back and hated it. I eventually gave up and then tried an oral appliance. It seemed to work somewhat but, after once again having high blood pressure, and being so sleepy during the day, I decided to give it another try. This time the mask fit perfectly and I sleep through the night (except for that one bathroom break). If it keeps me from having a stroke or heart attack due to OSA, I will take daytime sleepiness and use my cpap for the rest of my life! I think that's the key-find positive reasons to wear that contraption and tough it out-ANY benefit from using it is worth it!

I started using my CPAP around a week ago..The first thing i realized is that i don't go pee frequently like before .The sleepness and lethargy during the day are better ,but I still have a problem with the mask..I got a small sore at the side of my nose

I have a wonderful story, after trying off and on since 2006 I have succeeded to use my c-pap and I am sleeping 6-7 hours a night!
I was in a c-pap but 2 weeks ago my dr. decided to try an autopap. well, it seems that my pressure was not high enough on the c-pap because now it is going higher on the autopap and I am sleeping!!!!!!
Also from this forum I discovered the swift fx and it is wonderful, not at all like a c-pap mask, so lite and comfortable. I love it!!!!!
I have no more acid reflux,no more getting up at night to use the bathroom at all and this sleep is like none that I have ever had. It is wonderful! I find myself looking forward to bedtime!
I need to say, don't ever give up, I almost did at times,but when you find that sweet spot it is worth it all!
May I say GOD BLESS YOU and good luck in your journey!
Wishing you a good nights sleep every night!!!!!!!

Hi - I got my cpap machine october 8th, 2010. I had to tweak it a few times, but last night was the first night the nose pillows mask felt snug-as-a-bug on my head. tried the small size, but medium seals my nose best. I had to take it apart to wash it and when i put it back, the blue strap and plastic strap were twisted and the nasal pillows didn't work, and I did not get as good of sleep, but i figured it out next day. I also have another mask that is the silicone mask covering your nose, with headgear over the bridge of my nose and headrest on my forehead - well after a week with nose pillows, i tried that silicone mask and it felt too cumbersome and heavier on my face than the nasal pillows. I side sleep and the nasal pillows worked fine except in the morning, I must be turning in bed and I feel it got ajar and I can't reajust it without turning the cpap machine off and putting it back on my nose, so since that is too much trouble, I just get up for the day. I'm still tweaking the nasal pillows, and a chin strap is on the way. in the meantime I made a home-made one out of an Ace bandage and safety pin securing it, and it kept my mouth closed better but not perfect - even with that, the effect was no dry mouth in the morning and less congestion. My humidifier feels best on a 3 (highest level is 5 which made the air seem too warm to inhale). I called my rep and am returning the silicon mask. Nice! So, with a bit of tweaking the nasal pillow feels nice and snuggly on my head and I'm getting used to the breathing differently at night.

The one funny part is - no matter what time I go to bed, 7 hours is the most sleep I need. Now, I am off from work due to surgery, so I don't know if that will be enough sleep. It is for now. Some days I don't remember taking a nap. But in the last couple of days I did take an hour nap. I believe sleep will get better as soon as I wear the real chin strap which is on its way to me. The other funny thing is i caught a bit of air gurgling out (exhaling) of my mouth, but not enough to open my lips, but it was like a bubble of air escaped. I don't know if that's a problem, but anyway, I am having them send me a hybrid (Liberty was recommended by my rep). This has the nasal pillows with a mouth thing that will help with my open mouth at night. But I will keep the nasal pillows for now. I felt more secure with 2 in case one didn't work as well - I paid for one out of my own pocket). I learned that you have to replace them every 6 months, so I might end up getting a refund. But I feel more comfortable with having 2 around in case one doesn't work.

It works. It is amazing. In two day, I got the energy burst and my allergies and morning headaches are gone. I am in love with my machine. Go with a Resmed S9 AutoSet or at least Escape auto. Also, the Mirage Quattro mask is extremely comfortable.