My First Year

Well it has been a full year since I stated using my Resmed S( and I just can not tell you how much it has changed my life.

Before using a CPAP machine I was measured at a AHI level of 55. The very first night on the machine I had a AHI reading of 0.7!! A year later my reading is averaging at 0.6.

I travel 60% of my time (half of this on Airplanes). Normally my first stop after collecting a rental car is to buy filtered water.

I can not tell you how much my life has changed. I am no longer the angry person I was before. In fact I only wish I had gone to see my doctor sooner.

Kent

Congrats on a successful year. The fact that you travel so much I commend you for not letting that deter you. Yes, good sleep sure does help the mood.

You are doing great Superman.

Also my first year and good health improvement since I started CPAP. More energy, deep sleep with nice dreams, no more jerking awake at night gasping for air, feeling like I was falling, irritable, and probably not pleasant to be around.

How did I know I was not sleeping and experiencing apneas. My wife and daughter told me to speak with my primary physician during a physical. It was not obvious to me but was to my family. I thought I was just snoring loudly.

Next to come was the sleep study, diagnosis, another sleep study to determine the pressures needed for therapy. Sleeping with a mask (felt like an octopus) strapped to my face. Dealing with a DME that sold equipment that they do not use or understand. Trying several masks to find one that is tolerable. Constantly reading this forum and learning that everyone else was reporting difficulties.

CPAP takes more work to maintain. Travel causes extra packing. Added expenses and no it is not sexy. But neither is sleeping in another room due to load snoring or heart damage from low oxygen levels.

It took about six months to get comfortable and feel the results. Of course it was worth it. I sleep better with the mask. I say give it a chance to improve your life.