The Big CPAP Success Thread - Must Read for Newbies!

[meldrew]

Having been married for 27 years before I was diagnosed with OSA and put on CPAP, my poor wife suffered because of my snoring. Many a time I would wake up alone in bed only to find that she had been forced to take refuge on the couch to try and get some kip.

As soon as I started CPAP the snoring stopped completely and she has enjoyed over 15 months of disturbance-free nights (sound-wise anyway).

Some people worry about the noise of the machine or the sound of air venting out of the mask but my wife assures me that these, compared to what she previously experienced, are like the gentle evening breeze wafting in the treetops against the sound of Concorde taking off!

Last night was my first night of CPAP, having been married for 24 years.

My wife reports that from 4am to 8am I slept perfectly, and was the quietest she had heard in all 24 years.

Everything the above poster says - I agree - completely

[BobMcL]

Take the time to Talk ... and read read read

What a brilliant idea for a thread - as a newbie to CPAP (5 weeks) I found this forum when looking for answers, and I have to day it was very helpful but.... there are a lot of negative comments which can be offputting.

Me too sleepytime ... struggled the first 6 weeks though spent over 5 hours on average with my machine (Resmed S6) until I innocently phoned my clinic (Oxford) and arranged an extra appt to chat over things I had learned from this forum and other hoseheads .... the nurses were brilliant!!!!

They respected my ideas, tested my machine, replaced it with an S8 as it was not reliable ... then went on to issue me with a H4i humidifier and and not only a replacement smaller mask (Quattro) but also fitted me with a Liberty mask to try as they recognised that some weirdy beardies found these useful.

There is always a way to make things better and talking to people is often a good first step.... last night was the first night with all the new equipment and I slept a solid 7 hours .... cracking!!!

Long may it last and long may this thread and the rest of this forum provide folks with support and the will to persevere .... Thank you all from one happy bunny

I dont post much but I read everything

Bob

[sleepytime]

What a brilliant idea for a thread - as a newbie to CPAP (5 weeks) I found this forum when looking for answers, and I have to day it was very helpful but.... there are a lot of negative comments which can be offputting.

However, positives is what you are looking for..... all I can say is that any difficulties encountered initially with the equipment pales into insigifcance against how well I now feel. My life has turned itself around completely, I feel like a normal person again instead of a drudge and my love of reading is re-emerged (as I can no read more than 1 page without falling asleep) - in fact I have gone through 4 books in as many weeks. I can't remember how I used to feel, I just know I don't want to go back to it, and the joy of being able to watch a programme all the way through.... I could go on, but I think you get the picture....

so take heart and persevere

[countyDownMum]

My CPAP Machine

I am using Paykel 600 series for approx 7 weeks and already I feel more awake and alert. I am living again and go to the local leisure center where I train in gym and do aqua aerobics. Love my cpap.

[Berneta]

Its Working For Me!

I have only had my CPAP for a few months--but in spite of a few problems to solve, I am living again. For years I felt like Rip Van Winkle--asleep for the last 6 years, Tired all the time, no strength, and barely able to get around, or go anywhere. Now I am sleeping at least 8 hrs a night, and getting my life back to normal. Still having a few problems due to loss of muscle tone caused by years of inactivity-- but am working that out--CPAP does work. I feel Alive again! Wish I had gotten one years ago. Its worth it! Good Luck, Berneta

[nosnoringplease]

good results few niggles tho.

Hi every1 ive been on cpap for nearly a year now.

my story is reletivly the same as every1 elses on here apart from i had a 2 year struggle of trying to get diagnosed,if anyone has similar problems my advice be a nusience to your doctor or ne one that stands in your way.

For the reason of that this treatment is life changing!!.

An example of this is that because of the sleep apnea/lack of sleep, i fell asleep one morning holding my 2 month old daughter an dropped her on the floor,luckily shes ok this kick started my journey to cpap treament.

i now feel like a new person and my life started afresh.

still have a few niggles but 90% there.

if your anewbie stick with it.

[drewsnoresnomore]

Hi James, I have just been diagnosed with severe OSA after waiting for about a year to see the consultant. All I can say is I was shocked and scared by my results but after some great advice from the techs at LLanelli clinic I have my machine and my (vader) mask and progress is good.
My wife is happy to sleep withme again (grin) and things are getting better day by day.
Has it been easy??
Well no, mask fit an comfort have been an issue but it seems to be gettin easier day by day.

Glad i found this place to bounce ideas.

Andy

[Martinih]

hi floatyboaty i have just been given my cpap machine and had my first night last night x after sitting on the edge of the bed with nasasl mask strapped to my head and in floods of tears i finally managed to keep it on for about 4hours x im really struggling to relax any tips x

That was a couple of months ago, have you adapted to it now, Woody ?

This is my first posting even though I have had my machine for just over a year now. I only came across this forum by accident, as you do !

To any other newbies, yes I too remember the first couple of nights of battling with the mask. However if you just try and relax yourself and lie down to sleep as you normally would, if you are tired then you WILL sleep with it on. The first couple of nights you might not get as much sleep as you would like, BUT it will be good sleep for the first time in ages ! And you will feel better for it.

Weeks later you will wonder why you were making such a fuss. :-)

Another thing some people worry about is the fact it's not sexy. OK if you are married and your wife gets a better sleep, but what about if you are single and looking to attract a new partner ??

Well the first woman I slept with after getting the machine was fine - her previous bf had a machine too ! There's more of them about that you think sometimes. But she got a good night of sleep too (eventually ), which was certainly more attractive than had I spent the night snoring loudly and stopping breathing !

Hope this reinforces all the other postings that you can have a life and a CPAP !!!

[Samm66]

Success stories.

Hello everyone. I'm new here and this is my first post. I'm soooo glad I found this topic. I am still waiting for my cpap and have read a lot of bad things. I was starting to panic. I now feel more positive about it. I can't wait to feel better again. I gave up being glamorous years ago due to the huge gum shield I need to stop my jaw collapsing so wearing a mask isn't such a problem. Enjoy your sleep everyone!! See you around. Sam xxx

[Debbie]

29 Days & still Buzzing!

I have just had my first review with my CPAP machine. I got my machine 29 days ago & it has changed my life.

I no longer fall asleep in front of the TV nor at work. My team keep telling me to stop buzzing as my brain is alert. It feels so good to wake up refreshed not in a dozy fog.

OK, the mask isn't the most sexy of nightwear but neither is my high decibel snoring!!

If you are in any doubt about wearing the mask just persevere because you will see the benefits and any discomfort is worth it.

[Simes2112]

Under control

Been to the hospital twice in the past two days:

1) Lung function tech - been on CPAP just over a month - she was very happy with my compliance.

2) Consultant today - he's signed me off as being under control !!

Am very happy :-)

[sleepster]

Cats!

I've had my CPAP for a couple of weeks or so and got used to it amazingly quickly. I woke up after the first night full of energy and hardly recognised the feeling. I don't find it uncomfortable and I haven't had any side effects apart from some bloating in the first few days. I have recently started a new relationship after 15 years of being divorced and was very anxious about new partner - although it was he who insisted on me seeing a doctor after only one night in the same bed. He lives a couple of hundred miles away from me and last week was the first time I had seen him since getting the machine. All went really well - although I insist he turns his back when I put it on! (Despite his jokes about asking whether he can get me a black velvet mask) For the first time since we met a year ago he doesn't need to spend most of the night in another room where he used to still have to wear ear plugs despite the wall between us. I really cannot believe the difference - I feel full of energy and in the last couple of weeks, despite having a full time very demanding job, I have painted my son's bedroom and dug up the lawn to make a vegetable garden. I don't fall asleep on the train any more which means the huge pile of books waiting to be read is slowly diminishing. I think CPAP machines are great. And so does one of my cats - she used to tap my face several times in the night, looking very worried until I responded. She doesn't do it any more and I think it used to happen when I stopped breathing.

I've had the same thing happen with my cats..Woke up with scratches on my face..I'm sure kitty was worried about my breathing..Now..kitty sleeps at my side and no more scratches..He just likes playing with the hose!

[Margaret]

I have had my CPAP machine for quite a few years now, initially I would not use it and found myself going downhill so fast, I used to find myself dropping off to sleep at the wheel, even going to sleep in the middle of a conversation
Now I cannot sleep without it.

[Simes2112]

Success, yes I think so!!

Have decided to move in here from the newbie introduction thread.

I've been on CPAP now for 14 nights and I feel like a new person. I have gone from profound daytime sleepiness (falling asleep at work at my desk, in the evening at home at 6pm, etc) to ZERO daytime sleepiness. Not a single morning headache and a magnitude few trips to the loo in the night.

My only real challenge with CPAP is mask leak / fit / comfort. I am working on that on a number of fronts - considering a visit to Resmed's clinic in Birmingham for a mask consultation session (£25 for 30 minutes) and have ordered some CPAP mask liners from a company in the USA.

That's about it for me so far. Happy to answer any questions.

Cheers,

Simon

[MrsDanvers]

Week 7 and the only way is Up

My diagnosis of severe OSA came as a terrible shock, but it explains so much about my health and work problems in the last few years.

I thought I was adapting well to the mask and CPAP but 5 weeks in I had a developing sore under my nose and was waking up with a dry mouth. When I checked my mask details on one of the sellers' sites it said "This mask is not suitable for you". So why did I have it ? Probably because a too busy nurse didn't bother to measure our faces and issued what she thought would fit, didn't have time or inclination to explain things to us and wouldn't let us take two masks home to see which one worked best, nasal or full-face.

At my 6 week check the doctor was a star; measured my face and told me what size I should have and issued me with a full-face to give it a try. I'd had a panic attack and brought on an asthma attack trying it in the hospital, but I now felt I could probably cope when I realized that there is a right way and a wrong way to put on a full-face and no-one told me the right way!
One week later I'm delighted. I'm sleeping well and using the mask up to 8 hours a night. I feel full of beans during the day and I have few problems with the full-face.

And I've got clearance from the DVLA that I'm safe to drive and haven't had to lose my licence.

So, CPAP is changing my life.

I read a bit here and on the American fora when I was diagnosed so I'd understand more about the issues. I met a lovely lady., a CPAP user of several years, when I was in the hospital to get my kit, who told us a lot about what to expect. But the bottom line was I knew I had to make it work; for my work, my health and my relationship.

To anyone new I'd say keep asking questions, people on the fora can help. I think I was unlucky to get an uncommunicative nurse who was having a bad day, but it could have ruined my settling down with CPAP. If it wasn't for the fora I'd not have known that it wasn't me.