Do we improve with experience?

In general, of course, the answer is yes, but I'm thinking specifically about whether we learn to use CPAP therapy more effectively as time passes. I'm getting close to one year now, and I've noticed that my AHI is gradually drifting down. This is different from overcoming the problems of the first two or three months. Even with all that behind me, there seems to be a gradual, modest improvement from month to month. I haven't changed any settings, and goodness knows I haven't dropped any weight. I got to thinking about this today when I noticed I had only had 2 AIs since the first of the month. HIs are averaging 2.0, and are occasionally less than 1.0, where they used to be in the 3 to 4 range. I still have a lot of day-to-day variation, so the trend isn't obvious at a glance, but a few minutes calculating monthly averages confirm that the trend exists. It's nothing I'm doing consciously that I can think of, but somehow I feel like I must be conforming better to what the CPAP machine expects of me. Do others find that their therapy gets better with time, even after the initial break-in period?

Do others find that their therapy gets better with time, even after the initial break-in period?

I've been saying this for some time now. I know that even though I took to cpap easily, as I became more comfortable with it my numbers got better. I also think you have to pay back a certain amout of sleep debt before you start seeing real improvements. So when someone asks about getting zeroes or not feeling great, and if the numbers are fairly good, I tell them to give it more time. We didn't get this way overnight, most of us took a very long time to get to where we looked for what was wrong. It will take time to feel better.

Brenda

I agree. I took to the treatment literally over night but it took another 3 to 4 months before I started seeing my first zero AHI numbers ... and then another 3 to 4 months to get them on a consistent basis.

OSA does a real number on the hormonal regulation of the body and it takes time for the body to readjust back towards the normal. It has been almost 4 years for me now and I can still sense changes in my body (though not neccessarily sleep related) as cells readjust to the sensitivity to the many hormones that were way out of balance for so many years.

I can tell you that just as the observer, I notice Mike sleeps completely relaxed now, quiet breathing, no more restlessness, bedding stays in place and I can hardly hear the machine or the mask(which now seems to comform nicely to his features). His numbers are very good and he awakes refreshed. It seems like I'm sleeping with a new man!

DreamStalker wrote:I agree. I took to the treatment literally over night but it took another 3 to 4 months before I started seeing my first zero AHI numbers ... and then another 3 to 4 months to get them on a consistent basis.

OSA does a real number on the hormonal regulation of the body and it takes time for the body to readjust back towards the normal. It has been almost 4 years for me now and I can still sense changes in my body (though not neccessarily sleep related) as cells readjust to the sensitivity to the many hormones that were way out of balance for so many years.

My numbers are starting to come down now . I have 4 months in. I made a few adjustments but i also wondered if this would be the case for me it got better over time.

Time will tell.

Do we improve with experience?

PST,

There are many factors that will determine the answer to your question. If you are compliant then you will get used to the sensation of the air blowing up your nose, and in the case of those who mouth breathe, blowing in your mouth. As this becomes comfortable, then whether or not your titration study was accurate will become important. If the therapy is set incorrectly you will not receive the maximum benefit thus leaving you with a higher AHI. Mask leaks and mouth leaks will also affect the numbers and how you feel making it important to correct those problems. Outside stimulus like alcohol, tobacco, too much light or sounds, and too much heat or cold can also affect your numbers and how you sleep. Over the last 20 years or so I have taken each item one at a time and have a nightly routine for going to bed which keeps my numbers pretty consistently less than 1. Every once in a while I will still have some issues that are going on in my life that will create stress and I will have a lousy nights sleep where my AHI may spike over 3. I try real hard not to go to bed stressed. As I have said many times, the single most important thing about therapy is a can do attitude and a willingness to work to make the corrections necessary to optimize it.

Taz