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**James @ Intus** · 26 July 2010, 09:32

Hi and welcome!

First of all, don't be down about it for too long. Think of it this way, you've clearly been struggling for a while and you now finally know why and something can be done about it. Imagine feeling a lot better again, surely that's something to look forward to, not be down about!

To answer your questions... Three days is early days. Some argue there is 'sleep debt' which takes a while to 'repay' but whether that's fact or fiction, you're only just starting. It's usually closer to 7-10 days before people really notice. And if you have thyroid problems, which can lead to extreme fatigue, that of course has to be taken care of, else CPAP can fix the OSA but you remain fatiqued due to a low thyroid, or whatever issue it is.

Most Irish sufferers are pushed into a very expensive rental scheme which costs them a couple thousand Euro a year. If you don't need someone to come to your house, you can buy privately at prices far lower than 1749 Euro. But it seems too late for that now! Having said that, at least you did get a good, modern machine.

I'm not sure what you mean with the average sleep hour of 3.3. I'm guessing you are reading last night's AHI (remaining breathing problems per hour) off the screen or possibly a leak rate. Either would be great if they are 3.3 so it's not a number I'd worry about right now. But check your manual to see you're reading it correctly or maybe S9 owners can chime in.

Yes, weight and OSA are correlated. Not everybody manages to loose enough to weight to completely ditch the machine but their statistics always improve. Not only will loosing weight benefit OSA, but your other problems too. In general, CPAP users are always advised to loose weight, if they are overweight, which is the vast majority. You can ask around and read other threads here about how others have managed to shed the pounds. Once your get the energy benefits of the CPAP, it will become a lot easier for you to exercise etc. so again, patience and perseverance will stand you in good stead here. Blaming won't help you much. Even if it was your own fault, that's already history. You now need ot look forward and fix it while you can. You may have these health issues, but you can overcome them as others have.

Regarding 4, if you slept through the last night without waking, you are doing fantastically well already. My only advice then would be to work on your 'mindset' and start loving this machine and mask like it's your new best friend. Together, you have a lot to look forward to as others here will be able to confirm.

If you don't use the CPAP, your sleep will remain fragmented, your body will be under a lot of stress, you won't reach deep sleep that helps restore bodily functions, you will be at risk of diabetes, stroke, congestive heart failure, falling asleep at the wheel and a whole list of additional nasties. You'll then probably gain weight too which further compounds the problems.

You're probably getting the point now that you have to give this machine a real good shot. Do that and like most here, your life will change completely, for the better.

**Topgal** · 26 July 2010, 20:02

Thanks

Hi James,

Thanks alot for your reply. I know i shouldn't be down about it but it was a total shock to me. I just have to get my head around it. As you said it is still early days to i will think positive and give it a go and hopefully i will feel the benefits.

Great website, very helpful to new sleep apnea suffers.

**JippiJ** · 3 August 2010, 11:39

Hi Topgal,

We all kinda feel your pain here so don't worry too much about the blues. As James has said up there think of it in terms of "Thank god I've been diagnosed".
It is a lot to take in and it does take a bit of time for everything to start to feel a little bit more "normal". A lot of folk mention that they feel like new people after a while on the machine where others say they don't really feel any benefits. Unfortunately I'm one of the latter however I will say this, when I don't use the machine I know about it the next day. After a while I found I forgot what it was like to be as tired as I was before the days of the machine which is proof pudding that it works.

The weight thing is a B**** but one thing I've found is that having lost and continued to loose weight my confidence has come bounding back in strides. I feel ready to take on the world and I'm not affraid of going and get whatever it is that I want. That in itself can feel a little like a new lease in life and I have OSA to thank for that!

So though there are many negatives, give it time and the positives will start to shine through.
I was looking before and though it feels like I've only had the machine a little while I was actually diagnosed in Feb 2008! Not long compared to some of the guys on here but trust me im stunned I've had the machine that long.

If you need any help or any advice or just people to talk to you've definitely found the right place.

Jip

**Topgal** · 8 August 2010, 16:34

Benefits

Hi Jip,

Many thanks for the reply, I have been using the machine two weeks now and although it was initial shock to me that i had sleep apnea, I have managed to get my head around it and be thankful that i wasnt diagnosed with something worse.

It found it hard at first sleeping with the machine but I know it is for the best so each night whether i like it or not it gets put on. I am now averaging 5-7 hours a night with it on and although i wake up in the morning still feeling tired, I am starting to feel the benefits during the day.... for the first time in ages I have more energy, feel i am able to do things and stay awake during the day (no napping). Recently I was able to go for a walk. I still get the odd bad day when I am exhausted but i am having more good than bad !

Thanks Jip for taking the time to respond, i really find this website helpful.

Best wishes !

**James @ Intus** · 12 August 2010, 20:25

You see, there you go! Doing great already! Well done!

**acebass** · 12 August 2010, 20:37

Thats really good Topgal, and remember, even people without Sleep Apnoea wake up feeling tired, so don't set your expectations too high.

Just because you have a CPAP doesn't make you superhuman, you wil;l still feel as tired as mr or mrs average, although sometiumes you'll feel worse there are also a lot of times when you'll feel more refreshed than most of them will ever know..

**Topgal** · 16 August 2010, 09:13

Thanks

Thanks everyone for your advice and support. Last night i managed 8.1 hours on my cpap (the most so far) so im really delighted with myself. That is a major achievement for me considering i hated the whole idea of having sleep apnea and using a machine. As previously mentioned in my last thread, I do still have bad days whereby i am exhausted but i also have good days whereby i have more energy than i have had in a long long time and am able to do things. Myself and my cpap are becoming friends and I know i need it more than it needs me !!!! Rome wasnt built in a day but with positive thinking you can give it a go.

**acebass** · 16 August 2010, 11:46

Originally posted by Topgal View Post

managed 8.1 hours on my cpap

That is just fantastic...be very pleased with yourself!

**shuckie** · 17 August 2010, 10:45

Originally posted by Topgal View Post

Last night i managed 8.1 hours on my cpap

Excellent news!

That's the kind of progress I'm aiming for. Thus far the most I've managed is 3.5-4 hours so I'm heading in the right direction.

Here's hoping we both feel the benefits once we're able to manage that kind of sleep on a regular basis!

Cheers!

shuckie

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