30+ days with CPAP report

Over 30+ days with CPAP:

Overall, It's been really excellent. I can't believe how much energy I have. It's been truly life changing.

Therapy Tweaks:
I've changed the ramp, from 20 minutes starting at 4.0, to 10 minutes at 6.5 ... I do find the ramp to usually be helpful at the beginning of the night. I found that starting at "full blast" startles me a little.
I'm still using C-flex. I've changed it down from 3 to 2... Subjectively, I really can't tell much between the 3 and 2.
I've self-adjusted pressure to 9.0 from Rx of 8.0 ... The difference has meant an AHI change from 2.5ish week one to 1.8ish now.
I've found that I do get a slight sore throat if i don't use the humidifier or if i forget to fill it and its run dry in the morning. I don't get rain-out unless its set at 4 or 5. I'm comfortable enough at 2 & 3.

Therapy Goals:
Although I like the Mirage Swift LT just fine, I'm by nature a guy who likes to try new things... I wonder If i'd like another mask better??
I'm wondering if I can get the AHI to under 1.0 ??
My sleep quality has improved greatly in the last month--- more than I could have imagined.

I'd like to get more hours of sleep. I've been tracking my total number of hours, and it averages 6.5 per night. My habit is to go to bed late and get up early-- about 12:30 to 7:00. I can't change the wake-up hour, due to work. I just need to start settling in earlier. I still have at least one 2 am night every week, and at least one night that I'm awake for 45 minutes or so after I go to the bathroom. I imagine I'll feel even better with an extra hour each night.

I appreciate your comments!

Not much to comment about, Lebowski - it sounds wonderful.


O.

Yes, it does sound like you are doing very well with your treatment. That is a great report at one month in, or at any time for that matter. You're right, a bit more sleep time could be just the ticket to an even more improved quality of life. Do update us again as you try new masks or as you get that other hour of sleep. Best wishes.
Kathy

sounds like you know what you are doing! im jealous.

In a few days I will post up a weeks worth of my numbers so some of the vets here can help me adjust my machine
to whats optimal for me.

One thing I suspected, and was later confirmed in this forum is the doctors pretty much are not looking for your best interest, and given the tools, you need to make the adjustments yourself.

To that end, I have been logging my AI, HI, and AHI and also leak amounts every morning (I do not have software)
so the gurus here can help me set the optimal settings for my situtation.

I only wish I could start feeling some benefits of sounding like Darth Vader when I go to sleep every night... Before I was told 2 months ago I had OSA I had no idea. Just knew I snored a lot... 2 weeks of cpap and sadly, I do not feel any different (yet?)

It sounds like you are doing quite well for your first month or so. I have been using CPAP since October 2009 and have about 8 masks and I would encourage you to try as many masks ask feasible for your budget. But I have to say the best mask I have come across is the one you are using. The Swift LT is the best mask out of all the ones I have tried. I could not find any thing about a leak rate in your post. Do you use a chin strap? I might wonder if you are opening your mouth. I had a terrible problem with that. I am not to sure if I would weary about the numbers to much but how you are feeling. Best of luck with your treatment

Mebake wrote:I have been using CPAP since October 2009 ...

The Rocky Horror Picture Show comes to mind here. (singing): "I remember doin' the time warp..."

Typos can be fun!

It is all that oxygen I am getting using CPAP. October 2008