How long is too long?

[puffin]

Bummer! Hope you are feeling better.

[Lawrence Nash]

Hi I have recently been diagnosed as having OSA (score of 64), after many years of suffering, and numerous fruitful visits to a sceptical GP, finally having to travel out of my NHS PCT (Wiltshire) area for sleep tests (Bristol). Ironically this has worked in my favour, as Bristol paients have to wait for a CPAP machine - based on prioritise need, my PCT however fund CPAP with no questions asked following a months CPAP trial.

Incidentally, the CPAP machine worked from the first time I used it, enabling me to complete a 300 mile mile the very next day, with no day time sleepiness, and none since!! Fantastic.

Lawrence.

[Joe McManus]

Hi Lawrence and welcome to this forum!

That's great, another success story (eventually). It's a bit depressing how few GPs take this seriously but glad to hear yo got there in the end! Welcome to the club

[JamesG]

So it was my first night getting to know "Hissing Sid!" I had the mask on most of the night and I can't confess to getting too much sleep. I think I need some more practice! I had a late night the night before on purpose to get myself good and tired for its arrival. Well I'm really glad I did that! It's now 7.15am and I've been at my desk for over an hour and it feels like it's going to be a really long day! Tune in tomorrow for another thrilling installment of "Me and Sid."

[puffin]

Arrr! But did you feel better? I know that I did. I must admit that I was so tired I just dropped off so quickly, which helped. But I was like a spring lamb next day.

[Joe McManus]

But I was like a spring lamb next day.

Pictures or it didn't happen

[JamesG]

I am so tired, I know alot of people get on with them straight away but it looks like I'm not one of them! Going to give the little bugger another outing tonight and see if we can't master him. How much escaping air is good? Is it right not to have the mask too tight?

[Joe McManus]

The cushion makes the seal, not the strap so keep it as loose as possible. The straps are meant to just keep the mask in place, not to force a seal. It's like a hovercraft, it doesn't need someone pushing it to the floor.

In the first few days, issues like mask fitting are quite normal. Product manuals and your provider, as well as us here in the forums, should be able to assist. Even if some of the air escapes, you will probably find you still get more oxygen in your blood than you did before CPAP. That alone will start making you feel better. More experience and equipment adjustments will then lead to optimum treatment.

It happens quite often that the wrong size mask is supplied, so double check via its sizing gauges you have the right one.

[JamesG]

Thanks Joe...as always yr a top bloke!

[puffin]

Wife could not get the camera out quickly, I was gone like the Flash!

[JamesG]

WEll that is the first time I've got out of bed in a long time and I've not wanted to just crawl back into it! To say I feel better is an understatement. I can't say it was an easy or uneventful nights sleep but I certainly feel alot better. I didn't even fall asleep on the 6.23 this morning! If I'm not careful I might have enough energy to go down the gym!

[Joe McManus]

(Me and the rest of the CPAP crew organised a meeting specially to celebrate your victory and take a few snaps from left to right: me, chelseauk, sweet sue, puffin, acebass and mart9012)

Well done James and look at you, asked about how long to wait for CPAP a week ago and here you are, feeling better already!

Your comment about the gym made me laugh

And having the odd rough night, wrestling with equipment, pales in comparison to the negatives of continued untreated OSA. Well worth putting up with for. Even if you had to wake up 3 times for a scratching session you'd still be better off!

[JamesG]

I've got to say you seem just how I had imagined, mind you I have always had a furtive imagination!