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  • The Big CPAP Success Thread - Must Read for Newbies!

    At first glance, when scanning the topics here on the forums, someone who has just been told they will get a CPAP machine can be forgiven to think hell on earth is about to begin for them. Open the CPAP Masks sub forum any time of day and it's loaded with mask fitting issues and what not. That looks scary!

    But fact of the matter is, people use forums for problem-solving much more than for sharing successes. Based on this simple fact of (internet) life, newbie CPAP users may think they are doomed. Another important fact is that the vats majority happily use CPAP every night, and wouldn;t want to sleep without it anymore. So let's put the balance straight and grow this thread into the definitive CPAP success thread.

    I will link to this from a prominent space up top so new people who are visiting and not logged in will read about the fact that there are plenty of people who call their CPAP journey a significant success, giving them a new lease of life.

    So please take 15 minutes to share your successes below. Please leave detailed problems out of it, not for censoring but to balance the existing issues posted about elsewhere. Of course it's fine to say it took you a week of bad nights to arrive at blisfull CPAP therapy but let's try and keep this one predominantly about the positives.

    I felt great after...
    My wife commented how I...
    My social life...
    No longer falling asleep at...
    Blood pressure dropped to...
    No more separate hotel rooms...
    Play with my kids...

    Etc.

    What is your CPAP success story and how did it affect your life?

    Given all the perceived negatives, which positives would you like to send a newbie home with to make things less daunting?

  • #2
    A Happy Wife!

    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!
    Regards, GV
    Given up my ResMed S8 Escape and got myself a Sandman Auto from James!
    Still using the ResMed Mirage Quattro Full Face Mask

    Comment


    • #3
      Being a hosehead may not be sexy but if it gives you your life back then it has to be worth it. Within a few days of getting my machine my wife says that I changed from being a grumpy tired old man back into a real person with energy and a much better attitude to life in general

      Comment


      • #4
        CPAP machines are great!

        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.

        Comment


        • #5
          As a recently diagnosed new user (two months I have to say that I experienced little problem from day one. I would not be without my cpap now although I am going to try for an apap (always worth trying!) I go caravanning and boating with no problems on twelve volt (after the first night which showed me how awful life is without cpap!)
          I am really pleased to see this thread showing that there are far more positives to life with cpap than negatives. Well done James, about time. I must admit I read this site while waiting for my machine and I will say no more!

          Comment


          • #6
            As someone that was not really aware of what to expect once being diagnosed with sever OSA. I found this forum via a web search. I have to say I spent a good few hours reading all the comments and posts here.
            I felt the time was well spent as it prepared me for what was to come.
            I can say that my experience was a very positive one thanks to the post on this forum.

            It helped me understand how serious OSA is, and what successful treatment could bring to me. Suffice to say that a month into using my APAP I can happily report feeling the benefit.
            This week a card reading was taken off my machine at clinic. The results where fantastic when compared to my 300/400 apnoea a night.
            So for me, apart from already feeling much better, the month of readings confirmed this.

            May I also big up the sleep clinic staff at Doncaster Royal Infirmary

            Ps James thanks for the pur-sleep

            Comment


            • #7
              CPAP is a success

              Agree with originator of this thread. I have been using CPAP since Feb 2008, I had no problems getting used to the mask and found humidifer very useful. Now use machine every night for between 7 and 8 hours. Do wake up most nights and have to adjust the mask but have no problems getting back to sleep Iwas a CPAP user in the early 1990,s but gave up due to sinus problems and poor fit of masks. Returned to CPAP use last year amazed by changes in equipment and now would not give up my machine.

              Comment


              • #8
                It Work's

                I also am fairly new at this cpap therapy after putting it off for years..After the shock wore off, I put it on and use it every night..I just got my compliance report..100%..Whooohoooo!!!As the saying goes"Try it,you'll like it"..And I'm a FEMALE for my fellow girlies..You're not alone!!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Positive News - Opinion

                  I agree with this idea, after almost fifteen years of sleep that was slowly doing more and more damage to me finally a simple solution that WORKS! I am experiencing a new life, massively increased energy levels, no snoring and have got used to the mask very quickly. My message is KEEP POSITIVE and if you have difficulty look for answers and a solution to your issue DO NOT GIVE UP! Talking to fellow OSA patients and specialists it appears that female sufferers may have a greater number of issues with this treatment solution. Perhaps the positive perspective will help - I had some issues with the Quattro mask but I found a solution that worked and increased my level of comfort (see other replies).
                  Great sleep is just fantastic - from seriously believing I was heading towards insanity to find the answer is positively liberating - my wifes only compliant is that now she can not keep up with me and we are returning to do things and visit places that we used to years ago as I feel like I'm alive and well again!
                  A fellow OSA patient told a friend of ours that after just 6 weeks on CPAP he felt 25 years younger (at age 51) - tell me where else can you find that level of improvement in quality of life? - KEEP POSITIVE

                  TWW
                  UK

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    New Life

                    Prior to commencing CPAP treatment, I had moved into a spare bedroom to allow my wife to get a good nights sleep, I was so tired during the day, if I went out in the car I would have to stop for naps to drive home. My work life was suffering, my social life had deteriorated, if we went to the cinema I would nod off and start snoring, our friends commented on how tired I always was.

                    Now my life has changed beyond recognition, I no longer affect my wifes sleep, I feel like I have energy to do things now, drives into the country on a week-end are now a pleasure to look forward to, I no longer drop off to sleep watching the TV, in fact I get about 7 hours good sleep each night, if I did not have Tinittus I would look forward to going to bed.

                    I did go through a short but traumatic time getting used to the equipment, but three masks down the line, a fleecy cover for my hose an understanding sleep technician and filtered water have improved the use of the CPAP machine, it has now become a way of life, a new way of life.
                    Stefan

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I have always snored. In my twenties, I was thrown off of a campsite due to volume of my snoring.
                      I have spent the last ten or more years of my life existing, lacking energy and enthusiasm. Things were gradually getting worse, my work was suffering and I was falling asleep at my desk. Then one evening riding my motorcycle home from work I briefly nodded off.
                      The adrenaline shot from that got me home where I started researching on the Internet.
                      The next day I saw my GP and told her that I thought I had OSA. She gave me the usual questionnaires, and said I was in the high-risk category and referred me for a screening check at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, which I had two weeks later. They then referred me on to the sleep clinic at Leicester general and after a further two weeks I was wired up with a polysomograph and sent home for a sleep test. Five weeks after (post Christmas) I was advised that I had severe OSA and was given an APAP machine.
                      I had in the past worked as a flight-test engineer and was used to wearing face masks, so the APAP mask held no fears for me.
                      Within a few days I was a new man, feeling more alert and alive than I had for years. I am much more effective at work, no longer fall asleep at inopportune times and can get things done in the evenings at home. I now also have the energy to do the exercise I need to loose weight.

                      I have emerged from a fog that has enveloped my life for a decade or more.

                      Andy

                      PS - I no longer snore!!!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        No Snoring! Excellent!

                        Just like Grumpy Biker I too no longer snore - I laughed at the point of being thrown off a camp site! I had been told I was rattling the windows down the other end of our street! My family used to hear me upstairs snoring like a freight train while in the kitchen with the washing machine on!

                        Peace now reigns in our household and the whole family are getting better quality sleep so everyone is much happier; the girls are less moody and the guys are not so grumpy! RESULT or WHAT!

                        TWW
                        UK

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Definately more energy and life flows in you when you use the cpap device.

                          It has been said by all previous friends. But let me say about snoring. This one after all do disturbs other people besides ourself!

                          At my 23 after doing the dj at a party I slept at the 1st floor of this country house. (A big house with thick walls and double glass windows to ensure max weather protection - noise protection as well) The morning after the party, the woman that throw the party was sleeping in a room next to me with her husband. She hitted him all night while believing he was the one that snored!

                          Her mother came in, and when she entered the garden, she heard me, believing I had something bad and immediately run upstairs to help me (I was sleeping-dahhh!!) My friend said: "You are not snoring, you roaring!"

                          Not to mention the first night at the army. I got the nickname "Compressor"...

                          I am lucky to have a wife that doesn't wake even if bombs are thrown, and that served me good as long as I went to bed 1 hour after her.. Not the best.

                          Not to mention friends that spend holidays with me on our weekend cottage..

                          All this are history thanks to cpap!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Mostly All Good

                            Hi all, Well I'm fairly new at being a Cpap man. My wife of 57 years is very happy to have a quiet sleeping person next to her now. I'm still trying different masks, a little problem with it making my nose sore, But for the most part it's changed my life from being a tired old man to an old man full of energy. I'm trying a gel mask now, sure hope it solves my problem! Thanks.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              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.

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