One year update

A little History;
I knew then that i snored and i snored loudly, i didnt mind this except that about two years ago i realized that i would feel sleepy during afternoon meetings and that i would be sleepy when driving. So i researched about CPAP machines after a friend turned me onto it.
I had two sleep trials before they got the readings right. After the sleep clinic i recorded my sleep through an audio cassette. Man! I was blown away by the noise that i made. I told my partner that she and my daughter should get the Peace Pulitzer price for being quiet and silent despite my incessant snoring.

I ordered a REMSTAR M Series Auto from https://www.cpap.com with a humidifier and a comfortgel NASAL mask.

the first few weeks were really hard. I'll use it for a couple of hours but somehow i'd always wake up with the mask off. Then it took me about an hour longer before i'd fall asleep as i felt like being gagged.

One month into the program and i was able to master my own technique in intiializing the mask on how i breathe. I would also awaken with the mask on and i'll have to touch my face just to confirm if the mask was indeed on. I had totally adapted/ integrated the mask into my system that it was like wearing eyeglasses. I had to tactile verify it if i was wearing the mask.

Now i get good sleep.. Deeep sleep.

Notes;
1. CPAP works, its not withccraft
2. Research your machine for your needs. Any brand that suits you will be fine
3. Get a humidifier. This prevents your nostrils from drying. Plus the added heater is a sort of climate control for your respiratory system. When i sleep my body is cold and comfortable because of the air conditioning but i am inhaling slightly warm air. I now get the best of both worlds
4. Spend the most that you can on the CPAP system that will make your sleep very comfortable. Dont scrimp. Hey bud you'll use this practically half your life.
5. The mask is a very important part of the CPAP chain. In my opinion its half the link in the CPAP chain. The best and most expensive machine will never compensate for an unfit or uncomfortable mask and vice versa. Choose your mask wisely aka choose your weapon wisely.
6. The body and your mind will reject the CPAP intially for the 1st week to the next six months. Dont loose hope and patience, train your body to use it. It takes getting used to and dont force your body to like it. Once your body realizes that the CPAP is a friend it will stick to it like glue.
7. THANK YOU to this forum for the collective information. I only posted once or twice but the previous posts have helped me a lot in my decision.

Funny observations.
1. I am so used to my CPAP that i cant sleep on the couch because i've grown so intolerant of my own APNEA. As in i get irritated that i wake up in-snore.
2. I dream less when my CPAP is on. Dont know why.
3. During the times that i cant use my CPAP because of sinus i end up miserable the next day. Well not miserable but a little half-baked. Not sleepy mind you i just feel like i slept really late.
4. Without CPAP I used to sleep before 10pm and i'd steel feel sleepy after waking up after 7am. I thought the number of hours of sleep mattered. After my CPAP i'd sleep at 12am wake up at 7am and i'd feel like i slept for 12 hours.
5. I try to convince my friends to go to sleep clinic.
6. My kids have to push me just to wake up because i am deep in slumberland.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, CPAP, auto

Great post, alfa. So glad you've got your treatment going well!

alfa wrote:2. I dream less when my CPAP is on. Dont know why.

I'll bet you're actually dreaming normal amounts...it's just that cpap is treating you so well that you don't have apneas waking you enough to be aware of having dreamt. You're sleep peacefully through your REM cycles (when most dreaming occurs AND when most apneas occur) instead of having your REM disturbed by apneas waking you just enough during a dream to commit to memory the fact..."I had a dream."

I personally think it's a good sign that you aren't aware of dreaming. You're dreaming...cpap's just doing such a good job for you that you're sleeping "unaware" through REM just like (imho) you should.

LINKS to dreaming - dreams - REM rebound
viewtopic.php?t=3524

Thanks for the update alfa. Very interesting.

Di

Alfa,
Thanks for the one year report. It should be encouraging to those in the beginning struggles with keeping mask on, etc. to hear another success story that wasn't so immediate. Here's an imaginary toast to many more good years.
Kathy

its good to read a story like that, i have been on the machine for just over 3 weeks- andwhile its alittle easier, its still a struggle.

the longest i have been able to sleep woth the mask is 5-6 hours....most nights its been 3-4.

i have gotten used to the air pressure- but the mask itself is another story.

i miss be able to let the side of my face or head just sink into my pillows...

i iwll say though- the nights i can keep the mask on i have felt better the next day. lst night i just coldnt fall asleep with the mask on, and never wore it- i could certainly tell that today