Half Man, Half Dyson!! Confused Newbie.

[OldCrow]

Hi. Old Crow here. New to this forum and to CPAP. Had my kit a week and finding it a bizarre experience that only a fetishist could love. Major problem is mask leaks so experimenting with elastoplast seals on face to prevent egress into my eyes.
A long time olympic-class snorer, been seeking a diagnosis for extreme fatigue for last two years and finally diagnosed with severe sleep apnoea. Very good kit but will take some getting used to. Bedtime currently is not a very relaxing experience.
Now.. I'm not sure what to expect; currently only sleeping in blocks of two to three hours punctuated by mask problems. I know now that tightening the straps too much is NOT the answer. Positives? Well the soft hiss is like a kind of white noise that is quite hypnotic, don't have problems dropping off and the pressure sensation I can adjust to. Maybe I AM having deeper sleep, I'm now waking up sleepy-tired rather than utterly shattered as before. Get a lot of vivid dreams - anybody else found this; the hospital says not uncommon??? I'd appreciate any advice and encouragement; I'm determined to make this work but finding it all very weird and rather disturbing at present.

[bassetman]

HI .old crow ,It does take some getting used to! But give it a little time.,I,m sure you will start to feel a lot better .It took me 2/3weeks to get used to cpap .It may not take you as long or it may take longer everyones different, but don't give in and good luck !!!

[Tricia]

I've only been using mine for a couple of weeks now. I still waken up when I turn over, but this only seems to happen 2/3 times a night, and when I do waken I feel that I've been in a deep sleep. I've found that I naturally waken up earlier now too, and don't feel exhausted.
Persistance seems to be paying off.

[Tigers Fan]

Good for you!

Hi OldCrow

Welcome!

Not uncommon to have vivid dreams? What was he on???? Vivid dreams are one of the major clues that CPAP is working for you!!

REM sleep is what we aim for - it's the deep, restful kind. It's the kind we don't get pre-CPAP because apnoeas keep waking us up - 40, 50 60 times an hour - and prevent us sleeping deeply. In REM sleep is where we dream, and our minds as well as our bodies are restored.

If, like me, you didn't dream for years, watch out for the seemingly bizarre - no, just plain bizarre - places we visit and things we do there, in REM dreams!

Keep up the good work, you seem to be doing fine!

TF

[OldCrow]

Some good, some bad

Thanks for the replies folks.
Well, still fighting the mask but I'm determined not to let it beat me. I don't want to get a phobia about it though. Best so far is a strip of towelling type material across the bridge of nose stuck down with elastoplast, seems to be the best for preventing it blowing into my eyes. Now I think I'm getting better sleep, though not more than three or so hours continually. I have to sleep on my side for best effect and I've been waking up in exactly the same position so I must have been really out as previously I'd thrash around and throw the bedclothes off. And the dreams, well my soul istaking the opportunity to wander off to some very strange but not unpleasant places. Still tired in the morning but it's sleepy-tiredness rather than the god-awful exhaustion I used to have. I'd like to get a good few hours in without mask problems, not got there yet.

[Tigers Fan]

Seems to me .....

Hi OldCrow

.......... that you are doing very well and doing everything right except for one thing.

Why are you fighting your new best friend? That mask will bring you the deep, blissful sleep you crave. Think of it as a skittish young filly, needs sweet-talking, calm, soothing hands and words (yes - words! because you internalise them) (God Bless America! internalise?????) and before too long, she'll behave as you want her to. Or a skittish young colt, then!

You know as well as I, whatever you fight will fight back - so make friends, instead!

TF

[silvercarper]

Well said TF but you missed the most important thing.
Give it a name. Mines "Sid"

[cheryl4andy]

i call mine ripley x

[Poppy56]

Mine's called Darthy Boy. I've had it nearly a year and can't believe how much better I feel. Apart from extreme tiredness I have suffered from frequent headaches for most of my life. As soon as I started CPAP they stopped. I'm still tired but I have a very tiring job and spend 4 hours a day commuting to it - now, though, it feels like a more natural tiredness and I recover much more quickly.

[Tricia]

I call mine Darth too, but hubby calls it Hanibal