Is It Worth It?

[Sparticus]

The other night I went to bed with my mask on and slept for 7 hours, I then got up still feeling drained and within an hour I was nodding off on the couch, whats the point of of using my machine if Im still going to be nodding off through the day, 3 months on and Im still waiting to wake up feeling refreshed, Im so close to giving up

[ElleCee]

I felt like that too but then lost a little weight and my life is so totally different now.
I used to get up and go to work, come home, have dinner then go to bed.
I was at the point of thinking that I could no longer work because I was sooo tired, I am like a completely different person now

don't give up!
Lorraine

[Sparticus]

Hospital

I have my next appointment in 48 hours, since getting my machine Ive had to go back to the hospital for my appointment every few weeks. I was told that after I had my machine and all checked out then my next appointment would be in 12 months, that was about 12 appointments ago, so off I go again with a 60-70 mile drive to edinburgh and back. I was asked last time if I wanted to give up and my answer this time will be yes, I dont see the point of using something that doesnt work for me

[Berneta]

Is it Worth it?

Don't give up. It takes time for the brain to recover from years of poor sleep--some take longer than others to feel that refreshed feeling. If you had a broken leg or any other problem--you would be willing to wait the time needed for your body to heal. This is no different. Lack of sleep has a bad effect on your whole body. IF you wake up and feel like nodding off on the sofa--use your Machine. The more you use it, the faster you will get back to normal. You are doing great if you can use it 7 hours at night. But maybe you just need more sleep. Most of the time I sleep 9 or 10 hours. People are all different with sleep requirements. So if you need a nap--take one. But please don't give up. Its worth it in the end--however long that might take. And if its not better after a long time---then consider what you might feel like without the sleep you are getting. Most people do get better. Just hang in there! Berneta

[Sparticus]

Years is a Long Time!

It will take me years then for my body to recover, I am a carer for my partner and daughter and hold down a full time nightshift work, I sometimes live on 3-4 hours sleep in a 24 hour period and have gone with no sleep. Sometimes I dont have time to put my mask on as I have fell asleep just looking at my bed. At least i still have my sense of humour

[Berneta]

Worth It!

Hi Again! It may not be years--maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, or next month. If you have a family to care for (and a demanding job)--then do it for them. No sleep won't make things any better. x Berneta

[Richard]

Hi Sparticus

Has your sleep centre handed you a CPAP machine and said 'Get on with it', or have they taken time with you to find the settings that are most effective for you?

From what you are saying, you need a titrated sleep study, which may take two weeks of hospitalisation to achieve. Was your diagnosis OSA alone, or could it be Sleep Apnoea (ie not OSA) with other causes, in which case CPAP may not be appropriate. Ask the question when you're there.

Maybe simply adjusting the pressures on your CPAP will do the trick, but certainly don't give up now you've done three months.

Best of luck

Richard

[ohcrob]

nope, it's not worth it and gets no better but u get used to it

[James @ Intus]

So did they check and then tweak the pressure? With so much travelling involved, you can build the case for an Auto machine perhaps.

Also, CPAP isn't a source of energy. It helps prevent the source of sleepiness. You still need to look elsewhere in your life to make sure you get enough good food, exercise etc. to give you the energy to get through the day. Maybe there's also thyroid function issues, diabetes etc. CPAP doesn't fix everything, it's not the silver bullet. It fixes OSA and subsequently most people find many issues disappear.

Also, do you always at least get 7 hours sleep? Most people still tired despite CPAP, simply sleep to little.

[martin]

Havent been here for a while but i thought i'd chip in. Been a hose head for about 8 months now and i'm a success story (mostly). Main pain in the ass with this machine (nicknamed Gail , as in gale force wind) has been the mask, tried three until i found one that liked me.
Not an expert on this but pressure sores on the bridge of the nose, its terrible habit of breaking wind in my face (normally that wouldnt get past a second date) and the terrible octopus wrestling dreams (that hose!!) made getting use to it a tad tricky.
Against that i am hitting about 6 good hours of sleep (lil break in the middle to give the nose a break) , have more daytime energy and have scared the crap out of relatives who thought i needed oxygen ! Also went for a baby gail for travelling (once again the assumption that i had an elderly relative on oxygen led to amusing misunderstandings in assorted foreign languages). It hasnt led to weight loss, it hasnt helped my sex life and bullies could still throw sand in my face on the beach (if i was inclined to lurk there). On the plus side my wife no longer wants to kill me (for snoring....anyway), i no longer need afternoon naps (though i still sometimes have them , just for a treat) and i smile more. Its a good therapy, doesnt need surgery and if it aint working you can stop (though stickin' is good).

To anyone starting this, its good. To anyone already doing it, grins, you gotta have a sense of humour (as many folks on this forum will demonstrate).
Darth Vader jokes aside (and by the way , its just the mask, you dont need the rest of the costume...you know who you are!!) and it will repay you a thousand fold.

Wish i had discovered this 20 years ago but like many of us i was analysed anecdotaly (?), but better late than before death. Just thought i'd share......special kudos to Lorraine and TF (and anyone i might have missed).....regular repliers are important to anyone feeling isolated.

Final thought , when they do the safety routine on planes...when they get to the oxygen mask bit is it a bit twisted to think "i could borrow that and nap?"

Happy non snoring to one and all.

Cpaps Really Are Perfect (We know what we mean)

[martin]

Yes its worth it. It would be better if you could do it in a hammock in the bahamas, but so would most things. Stick with it.

[Berneta]

Is it worth it?

Well, I wish CPAP could fix everything. I tripped over a cat, and slammed my right foot hard into chest, and now -- according to the x-rays-- I am limping around with torn ligaments and displaced bones in my foot and ankle and will be in a splint/ brace for the next 3 to 6 weeks. Aand even then I may need surgery. The pain wakes me at night in intervals--so I wake and take pain pills. I find I am sleeping 12 hours again with several wake ups in-between. If I didn't have the CPAP to help me sleep, I would be a basket case. I think mine is sure worth it. Berneta

[Sparticus]

Finally!!

Hi all, thanks for the support. I have been checked for everything else with blood test and nothing. Im now begining to understand a bit more now after talking to my nurse at the sleep clinic. My count was 45 apneas an hour and now after 3 months its 3.2 thanks to my apap machine. I asked to swap my machine back to apap after just a week on cpap. Im took 3 weeks of work to concentrate on my illness and Im please to say it is improving. I know now that if I have a night off my machine I will pay for it. Diet starts soon as Im too muscular and need to lose some bulk, thanks

[Sparticus]

Well, I wish CPAP could fix everything. I tripped over a cat, and slammed my right foot hard into chest, and now -- according to the x-rays-- I am limping around with torn ligaments and displaced bones in my foot and ankle and will be in a splint/ brace for the next 3 to 6 weeks. Aand even then I may need surgery. The pain wakes me at night in intervals--so I wake and take pain pills. I find I am sleeping 12 hours again with several wake ups in-between. If I didn't have the CPAP to help me sleep, I would be a basket case. I think mine is sure worth it. Berneta

12 Hours!! Wow, Tonight I will be lucky to get 3-4 hours sleep, Im just too busy. Im sorry about your wee trip up, hope the cats ok

Hope you get better soon Berneta, maybeits time to get a bell for your cat so you can here him when he sneaks around, hope you get better soon hen, take care

[Berneta]

Worth it!

Hi Sparticus, it sounds to me like you are doing well if you had your events come down so much! That's a great difference! Sometimes you just have to take the time to get things going ok. I think you are on the right road. As for my cat --she's ok. I have two cats and she was trying to beat me to the living room, so she could get dibs on my lap when I sat down. I jumped to the side to keep from stepping on her. Thus the banged foot and ankle. I tried bells on both the cats, and they kept the whole household awake all night playing. I 'm just glad that my Cpap helps me sleep longer to make up for the time I miss at night, I feel great other than the foot. The problem is now I can't do my walking--so I am increasing my exercises on the bed at night. Wish MY problem was all muscles! LOL. I'm just a cat bed--curvey and soft. x Berneta