CPAPtalk.com

Congrats on your success Jaylee!

Here is some more success news ...
I have been on cpap since Mar 5th 2010 and I have lost 10lbs (had to buy new jeans) and I got new found energy after about 3 days on cpap. I wasn't 100% certain this cpap therapy would work well, so I purchased a virtually new basic Remstar DS-100H which had all of 0.2 hrs on it for $200 with a swift II mask (the person who bought it originally couldn't get past having to wear a mask everyday plus the documentation said his pressure was supposed to be 8cm yet the machine had been setup for 13cm [guess thats why he couldn't wear the mask]). Here medical does not cover devices period and I don't have extended benefits so everything is out of pocket.

I'm getting a swift FX mask in the next couple of weeks which should be a little more comfortable since I'm a side sleeper.

With the help of this and other forums I got the clinicians manual, other very useful information and set the machine for my prescription (7cm) plus I went to my local DME and bought new pillows for the mask and all has been great since.

I don't use the ramp feature of the machine as I find it annoying. I think success has a lot to do with ones attitude going in plus reading up on forums for what to expect such as common problems like rainout, mask leaks, and what works/doesn't work for others.

Hi, your story is very inspiring. I haven't started cpap yet, but I am very anxious to. I am hoping the "old me" returns with cpap therapy. How long have you been on it?

Thanks for sharing your story.

KSailer (Kristie)

I got my machine in October. It took a while to get my energy back because I have a feeling that I have had OSA for many years so I had a significant sleep debt built up.

Then one day I noticed that I wasn't sitting that much. I sort of ran to my car in the mornings instead of dragging myself. I was running around more with my students. It just kind of hit me one day- hey, I feel better

Great news Jaylee on your cpap therapy and your new energy level.

Congrats, Jaylee! I don't think you'll need a scale. If you keep losing weight, your clothes will fit differently, so you'll know without even weighing yourself. The best part is that you feel great!

Jaylee wrote:my skin looks great

Hello and congrats!

I'm very new to the world of sleep apnea and CPAP. I am going in for my second sleep study test tonight and have been reading the forums to try to educate myself and hopefully avoid some of the fustrations. You mentioned that your skin looks great? I have what could be called back acne, but it's not just confined to the back; shoulders, thighs, a little on the chest, etc...
Does sleep apnea treatment often help clear skin conditions?

KL

Hi Jaylee,

I don't own a scale. The problem with scales is they only measure total weight, not body composition. And this can be very discouraging to someone who is trying to loose weight, especially if he or she is exercising. When you exercise, you are not only burning fat, you are adding muscle. Muscle tissue is much denser than fat. So, often the scale will show no change in weight or even a slight increase. This is very discouraging to someone who is working very hard to get fit. My advice, get rid of the scale.

I don't use my scale at home so I have no good monitoring but my weight when I saw my sleep doc 2 weeks ago was just over 2 lbs above what my weight was when I saw my gastro doc yesterday. Even better, I am noticing waists are a bit looser.

Wow! Way to go!!! I have been on CPAP for 2 1/2 mos. and find that now I actually have days when I don't want to just curl up and sleep for hours. I'm looking forward to more and more of those days. I still need to get my AHI down lower so maybe that will help. I've gained weight, rather than lost but then I've been depressed about some things and tend to stuff my mouth at night, the weight gain makes me more depressed..... You have inspired me. Thanks for sharing and good luck! I'm so happy for you!