Hey all! Maybe I am a slight hypochondriac, so maybe I shouldn't worry yet, as it has been only a week.....
But I am even more exhausted during the day, it is hard for me to get out of bed, and I am not sure when I should seek out my sleep doc to ask if we can try something else, or in addition to the CPAP.
Is it just finding the right mask? The pressure is set at 9, which I have to ramp up because it is very hard to breathe thru when I first put the mask on, so I don't think it is too light.
The only difference seems to be that I am aware now that I wake up about 2-5 times after the sun comes up, but left without my alarm clock, I will still sleep 10 hours easily.
still frustrated, impatient, and everyone I talk to has said the CPAP was like a miracle for them, so how long do I have to wait for mine?
thanks
-Quest
Exhausted still, should I be concerned yet?
13 posts
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Quest
Although some find immediate relief with xPAP treatment for most the key is patience and persistence. It can be a long, often frustratingly slow process to find the right machine, mask, pressures, etc. to provide comfortable cosistent treatment...leading to improvement in how you feel. It is definitely helpful if you can track your progress either through software or readouts for your machine...do you have this capability? You might post what equipment you are using. Many on this forum have been where you are and can make suggestions for you to monitor your progress.
Hang in there
Jim
Although some find immediate relief with xPAP treatment for most the key is patience and persistence. It can be a long, often frustratingly slow process to find the right machine, mask, pressures, etc. to provide comfortable cosistent treatment...leading to improvement in how you feel. It is definitely helpful if you can track your progress either through software or readouts for your machine...do you have this capability? You might post what equipment you are using. Many on this forum have been where you are and can make suggestions for you to monitor your progress.
Hang in there
Jim
9-11 cm Remstar Auto w/C-Flex off,
Heated Humidifier & Hose...Breeze, Activa, Ultra Mirage FF, Hybrid
Encore Pro w/MyEncore enhancements
Heated Humidifier & Hose...Breeze, Activa, Ultra Mirage FF, Hybrid
Encore Pro w/MyEncore enhancements
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IWannaSleep
- Posts: 245
- Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2005 1:34 am
- Location: Florida
- Contact:
I agree with Jim. Progress for me has been slow. I have almost 60 compliant days logged on my machine and I still feel like I have a long way to go to feel rested. Part of it is getting your equipment right and tweaking all the settings, mask, etc, and then getting used to using it.
The other thing is what some call sleep debt that you have to pay back. In my case I call it 15+ years of damage to my body that isn't going to heal overnight. I've resolved myself to the fact that after such prolonged time without treatment that everything may never come back to be like I think it should. At least it will never get worse either as long as I manage effective therapy.
Ron
The other thing is what some call sleep debt that you have to pay back. In my case I call it 15+ years of damage to my body that isn't going to heal overnight. I've resolved myself to the fact that after such prolonged time without treatment that everything may never come back to be like I think it should. At least it will never get worse either as long as I manage effective therapy.
Ron
Last edited by IWannaSleep on Fri Jul 08, 2005 3:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
9 cm h2o
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ahujudybear
- Posts: 354
- Joined: Mon May 23, 2005 10:12 am
- Location: Franklin, WI
From reading the posts here, it often seems to be the case (and it certainly was with me!) that the first few weeks or more seem even worse than without the machine, sleep-wise. But remember that you ARE getting a deeper level of sleep and despite all the wakenings, you ARE maintaining a higher O2 sat level throughout the night. It takes time for our bodies to become accustomed to all the paraphernalia associated with this therapy. We may be waking up more and be more restless at first, but we are helping ourselves to live better.
Maybe allow yourself some time during the first few weeks to take naps during the day (WITH the machine, of course )? Just until your body and your psyche begin to associate machine + mask = REST!
It may have been a month into this therapy when I began to WANT to take naps with the machine! I couldn't wait to get home so I could strap on a mask and take a nap!
As has already been said, patience and perseverance are the watchwords when starting this program. Hang in there!
Maybe allow yourself some time during the first few weeks to take naps during the day (WITH the machine, of course )? Just until your body and your psyche begin to associate machine + mask = REST!
It may have been a month into this therapy when I began to WANT to take naps with the machine! I couldn't wait to get home so I could strap on a mask and take a nap!
As has already been said, patience and perseverance are the watchwords when starting this program. Hang in there!
- JB
PB GK425 BiPAP 12/3
F&P HC105 heated Ambient Tracking Humdifier
F&P FlexiFit407 Nasal Mask/ Resmed Swift
"shapeable" pillow
PB GK425 BiPAP 12/3
F&P HC105 heated Ambient Tracking Humdifier
F&P FlexiFit407 Nasal Mask/ Resmed Swift
"shapeable" pillow
Of all the helpful, informative threads I've read on this board, this is by far the best.
I've been compliant for almost a week, and don't really feel any different. It doesn't help when, after I comment that I slept all night with the machine on, friends ask, "Do you feel different? Not tired any more?" I always answer that I expect it'll take more than one or two nights to undo many years of sleeplessness - but I'm never sure if I even know what I'm talking about. Just when I start second-guessing this whole cpap thing, I read a thread like this that puts things into perspective for me and gives me the incentive to keep working at it.
Everyone on this board is so amazingly knowledgeable and willng to share their knowledge and experience. As a relative newbie, I can't tell you how valuable this has been to me.
Hats off to you all! THANK YOU!!!
I've been compliant for almost a week, and don't really feel any different. It doesn't help when, after I comment that I slept all night with the machine on, friends ask, "Do you feel different? Not tired any more?" I always answer that I expect it'll take more than one or two nights to undo many years of sleeplessness - but I'm never sure if I even know what I'm talking about. Just when I start second-guessing this whole cpap thing, I read a thread like this that puts things into perspective for me and gives me the incentive to keep working at it.
Everyone on this board is so amazingly knowledgeable and willng to share their knowledge and experience. As a relative newbie, I can't tell you how valuable this has been to me.
Hats off to you all! THANK YOU!!!
One soft, sweet song's just enough to clear my head...
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Guest
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Miss Sandman
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2005 2:29 pm
- Location: South of Boston
At least it's better
I realized this morning after about 3 weeks of sleeping with my new APAP that when I wake up...it's an old familiar feeling.
Today I identified it again after allowing myself to go back to sleep again and get in 9+ hours. I think I feel like I did when I was younger....waking after sleeping as long as I liked, and not being tired at all...that Sat morning feeling.
I know it will take a while to matter to my whole body, but I feel better every day and look forward to sleeping.
Not waking over and over, not having my relatives get mad, no sore jaw every day. It's quite an improvement. I have to realize I have had so little good sleep for...10 years. As one Dr. told me it's like being a "party girl", getting 2 hrs sleep a night..for years.
Sandi
Today I identified it again after allowing myself to go back to sleep again and get in 9+ hours. I think I feel like I did when I was younger....waking after sleeping as long as I liked, and not being tired at all...that Sat morning feeling.
I know it will take a while to matter to my whole body, but I feel better every day and look forward to sleeping.
Not waking over and over, not having my relatives get mad, no sore jaw every day. It's quite an improvement. I have to realize I have had so little good sleep for...10 years. As one Dr. told me it's like being a "party girl", getting 2 hrs sleep a night..for years.
Sandi
_________________
| Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: using 2005 to now |
mad relatives?
Hey party girl, what have the relatives been mad about? The tiredness, the sickliness, the moods, or what?
41yow, 118lb, severe OSA, lots of allergies, had surgery for deviated septum.
click to see my introductory post.
click to see my introductory post.
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rested gal
- Posts: 12883
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
This really is a great thread. Luckily, I saw instant improvement after the first night and ever since.
However, for many it really does take a long time...and you really can't even start "counting" until you have the mask and machine optimized for you.
I firmly believe that the equipment itself can be just as disrupting to sleep as the apneas/hypopneas were. Getting used to this whole crazy new way of trying to lie down and go to sleep can disturb sleep to the point that a person might feel even more exhausted than pre-cpap.
A mask leak here, a noise there, edge of mask pressing too hard, strap too tight, mouth drying out, nose hurting, hose pulling at the headgear, difficulty breating out against pressure, face getting too sweaty... think about it...there are so many things about the treatment equipment itself that take time to sort out and make more comfortable.
That can be very discouraging and can cause many to drop out.
Persistence is the key, as so many have said. But you better have a good mask that suits you and a machine that gees and haws well with you.... to "persist" with.
Persist in finding a mask that is comfortable and leakproof. No mask is those things 100% of the time, but try to find one that comes as close as possible to that for you.
Persist in finding ways to stop mouth air leaks, if that's happening to you. Mask and mouth air leaks may very well be the biggest stumbling block to good treatment. If the pressure is not going down where it's needed to keep the throat open...if the air is detouring out into the bedroom...you're not getting real treatment. You're putting yourself through a lot of discomfort to no good purpose.
Persist in studying everything you can in message board posts about various types of machines. Just because the DME gave you a particular machine it doesn't mean that's a machine that will give you the most effective or most comfortable type of treatment you can have.
Persist in asking questions on the message board about everything that bothers you -- minor problem or big one. Use the Search button at upper left to dig back into the old topics, too. There's an absolute wealth of information in previous discussions if you put in keywords like: bloating or pressure change or still sleepy or Swift or Activa or mouth air leak
Persist in getting all the pieces of the mask/machine puzzle into place, so that you really can stick with the treatment. Good treatment. Comfortable treatment.
Persist in looking back through pages and pages of old topics on this message board as if you were a med student studying for the most important final exam of his/her life. An exam that must be passed. It's that important.
Vent right here on the message board when you feel discouraged or can't get something to work right. We've all "been there" in one way or another. People will always extend a helping hand -- and the advice or encouragement that could make a difference.
Persist.
However, for many it really does take a long time...and you really can't even start "counting" until you have the mask and machine optimized for you.
I firmly believe that the equipment itself can be just as disrupting to sleep as the apneas/hypopneas were. Getting used to this whole crazy new way of trying to lie down and go to sleep can disturb sleep to the point that a person might feel even more exhausted than pre-cpap.
A mask leak here, a noise there, edge of mask pressing too hard, strap too tight, mouth drying out, nose hurting, hose pulling at the headgear, difficulty breating out against pressure, face getting too sweaty... think about it...there are so many things about the treatment equipment itself that take time to sort out and make more comfortable.
That can be very discouraging and can cause many to drop out.
Persistence is the key, as so many have said. But you better have a good mask that suits you and a machine that gees and haws well with you.... to "persist" with.
Persist in finding a mask that is comfortable and leakproof. No mask is those things 100% of the time, but try to find one that comes as close as possible to that for you.
Persist in finding ways to stop mouth air leaks, if that's happening to you. Mask and mouth air leaks may very well be the biggest stumbling block to good treatment. If the pressure is not going down where it's needed to keep the throat open...if the air is detouring out into the bedroom...you're not getting real treatment. You're putting yourself through a lot of discomfort to no good purpose.
Persist in studying everything you can in message board posts about various types of machines. Just because the DME gave you a particular machine it doesn't mean that's a machine that will give you the most effective or most comfortable type of treatment you can have.
Persist in asking questions on the message board about everything that bothers you -- minor problem or big one. Use the Search button at upper left to dig back into the old topics, too. There's an absolute wealth of information in previous discussions if you put in keywords like: bloating or pressure change or still sleepy or Swift or Activa or mouth air leak
Persist in getting all the pieces of the mask/machine puzzle into place, so that you really can stick with the treatment. Good treatment. Comfortable treatment.
Persist in looking back through pages and pages of old topics on this message board as if you were a med student studying for the most important final exam of his/her life. An exam that must be passed. It's that important.
Vent right here on the message board when you feel discouraged or can't get something to work right. We've all "been there" in one way or another. People will always extend a helping hand -- and the advice or encouragement that could make a difference.
Persist.
Thank you to everyone. This is really what I've been needing. A few of you, so I won't bother pulling the quotes from each one, mention the idea that your body needs time to rebound from years, fifteen in my case, of not sleeping.
I remember a day in High School when I woke up and felt different, but I couldn't place it, later in the day I realized that it was wakefulness, I felt truly rested. I haven't felt that since. I can't wait for it to happen again. Some days I feel like a functioning alcoholic. I can go to work, attend meetings, and no one knows the difference, in fact, think that I am a highly organized and pro-active person. But then I get home and collapse, my house is a mess, dishes in the sink, no food in the fridge and I don't have energy to shop, let alone cook. It's like I live two different lives, the one everyone else sees, and then the real, exhausted one that can't get anything done because I'm so tired.
Ugh, okay, so that was my emotional rant. Thanks.
my practical one is simply that I hear the advice about reading past topics, and I will do so, but when I read the advice about making sure the mask is right for me, or the settings are right on the machine, or that the machine is even right for me, I have no idea what that means in practical terms.
For example, when i go to sleep I don't think I have any mouth or mask leaks, but maybe when I am asleep there is. How do I know short of waiting for my smart card to be analyzed by the techs? (probably I just answered my own question there.)
I'm so sleepy most of the time that the idea of researching anything is difficult in itself too. I can read about ten posts and my eyes get sleepy and I can't concentrate. So I will continue to perservere, as many of you have encouraged me, and other newbies to do.
No need to specifically respond to this, I just needed to rant. My posts will most likely be shorter and more in the form of questions, and hopefully someday answers, in the future.
I quit smoking last fall (after 18 years) and for about two months it was literally ALL consuming, every waking moment was spent thinking about the fact that I was NOT smoking, (now I only think about it about 10 times a day I think this is something like that. Time, it just takes time.
Quest
I remember a day in High School when I woke up and felt different, but I couldn't place it, later in the day I realized that it was wakefulness, I felt truly rested. I haven't felt that since. I can't wait for it to happen again. Some days I feel like a functioning alcoholic. I can go to work, attend meetings, and no one knows the difference, in fact, think that I am a highly organized and pro-active person. But then I get home and collapse, my house is a mess, dishes in the sink, no food in the fridge and I don't have energy to shop, let alone cook. It's like I live two different lives, the one everyone else sees, and then the real, exhausted one that can't get anything done because I'm so tired.
Ugh, okay, so that was my emotional rant. Thanks.
my practical one is simply that I hear the advice about reading past topics, and I will do so, but when I read the advice about making sure the mask is right for me, or the settings are right on the machine, or that the machine is even right for me, I have no idea what that means in practical terms.
For example, when i go to sleep I don't think I have any mouth or mask leaks, but maybe when I am asleep there is. How do I know short of waiting for my smart card to be analyzed by the techs? (probably I just answered my own question there.)
I'm so sleepy most of the time that the idea of researching anything is difficult in itself too. I can read about ten posts and my eyes get sleepy and I can't concentrate. So I will continue to perservere, as many of you have encouraged me, and other newbies to do.
No need to specifically respond to this, I just needed to rant. My posts will most likely be shorter and more in the form of questions, and hopefully someday answers, in the future.
I quit smoking last fall (after 18 years) and for about two months it was literally ALL consuming, every waking moment was spent thinking about the fact that I was NOT smoking, (now I only think about it about 10 times a day I think this is something like that. Time, it just takes time.
Quest
I am finally feeling a bit of improvement but I think I still have a long way to go. I started my treatment just over a month ago. I haven't slept for at least 20 years and haven't been able to work for nine months because of medical problems from not sleeping...I am hoping to finally go back to work in a few weeks....so I think it will take time to get feeling back to normal. I was surprised I had sleep apnea because I did not snore...but now I am on the right track...
*** Linda ***
13 posts
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