Just curious (I know everyone is different) to find out how long it took people to feel a lot better after starting treatment.  I'm particularily interested in those people who have FF masks with high pressures.  It's been over a month for me and I've had a few glimpses of what life could be like, but they have been rare glimpes.

Well, I added my vote to "first day," but in actuality, it should have been first day minus one as I felt great after my night of sleep study titration.  I knew immediately that CPAP would change my life for the better.

Unfortunately, I cannot add to your interest in FF mask statistics as I have used nasal pillows (at a pressure of 14) from the beginning.

I started on a Full Face mask, as I was told I was a mouth breather.  I switched to a nasal mask and a chin strap, and to me that seemed to work better (felt better, etc)  Everyone is different tho.

   linnea-i use a ffm and my pressure is a whooping 15. i,like mike,knew immediately after my sleep study-that cpap would be my friend.for the 1st time in years-i woke up wide awake and did't nap the entire day. i drove home;woke up my husband-who couldn't believe i was having a meaningful conversation so soon after waking up.the usual rule in our house is-"don't try to talk to mom til she's been awake for at least 3 hours. lol   

   linnea-i use a ffm and my pressure is a whooping 15. i,like amigo,knew immediately after my sleep study-that cpap would be my friend.for the 1st time in years-i woke up wide awake and did't nap the entire day. i drove home;woke up my husband-who couldn't believe i was having a meaningful conversation so soon after waking up.the usual rule in our house is-"don't try to talk to mom til she's been awake for at least 3 hours. lol   

Barb - What's your secret aka machine and mask?  Do you sleep on your side?

Maybe you need to revise your poll.  I'm in my first month and don't feel significantly better, though I think it has helped some. You have no place for those to check if that is the case, so I picked one month just so I could see the results.  Also, it might be interesting to know the severity of apnea and how it relates to how much difference you feel.

I picked "1 week." I actually had significant improvement in 2 days time. Can't help with the FF/High Pressure survey, though. I currently use nasal pillow system and have had a pressure of 11 since the beginning.


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Larry

Judy,
Yes, I wonder about the severity and the length of time one has had it yet not been treated and how that effects the adjustment period.  Maybe I'm just being unrealistic thinking that I should be able to sleep through the night now and wake up feeling refreshed every morning.
L

I would expect (this is without any knowledge whatsoever) that those with more severe apnea would notice a more profound change immediately.  If one is waking 50 times/hour with accompanying heart racing, lack of O2, etc. and that is changed to zero then you would think the difference that was felt would be much more than if all that was happening normally is waking 10 times/hour.  Add to that people do adjust a bit to their apnea.  For example, I always slept propped on a wedge pillow which no doubt helped some, and I rarely slept on my back.

I hadn't thought about the length of time it had been going on, but it could be that one would have more disturbed sleep as a result of it and that would take some time to get over.  I, personally, have bouts of insomnia which is a little odd as historically I never had trouble going to sleep -- just in the past year or so.  However, I know at some point my sleep got so disturbed I just dreaded the thought of going to bed.  It was just an ordeal to try to sleep during the night.  So, I may have some habits and attitudes that need to be changed in addition to using the cpap.  Of course, it could be there was more going on that was making nightime an ordeal for me -- don't know what it was though!

Four months and nothing yet....


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Soli Deo Gloria

I just got the BiPap machine with humidifer and oxygen.  When I had my second sleep study, I tried a full mask that covered my nose and mouth, and couldn't get it off my face fast enough!  I really freaked out when the air started.  The nurse then began experimenting the the contraptions that just fit my nostrils, and we settled on Nasal Pillows.

When I finally had my first examination with a sleep specialist, he informed me that I was waking up a whopping 120 times an hour!!!  And my pressures on the BiPap machine were set at 16 and 8, but I can ramp it down to 8 and 6 for 20 minutes to get to sleep, then it ramps up automatically.

The first night I got a full 7 hours sleep!  I woke up rested, and didn't take my customary 1 1/2 - 2 hour morning nap an hour after getting out of bed, and I haven't had a daytime nap in the week I've been using the machine.

I am wondering what happens when you have a cold, though.  Has anyone gone through that experience?

My goodness NitroBob, you are sure patient if you are still compliant and haven't noticed any difference after that long.  I envy you your patience, if not the results!

LunaBleu wrote:

I just got the BiPap machine with humidifer and oxygen.  When I had my second sleep study, I tried a full mask that covered my nose and mouth, and couldn't get it off my face fast enough!  I really freaked out when the air started.  The nurse then began experimenting the the contraptions that just fit my nostrils, and we settled on Nasal Pillows.

When I finally had my first examination with a sleep specialist, he informed me that I was waking up a whopping 120 times an hour!!!  And my pressures on the BiPap machine were set at 16 and 8, but I can ramp it down to 8 and 6 for 20 minutes to get to sleep, then it ramps up automatically.

The first night I got a full 7 hours sleep!  I woke up rested, and didn't take my customary 1 1/2 - 2 hour morning nap an hour after getting out of bed, and I haven't had a daytime nap in the week I've been using the machine.

I am wondering what happens when you have a cold, though.  Has anyone gone through that experience?

Good question, LunaBleu, and one that bothered me a great deal also after I came to rely on my nasal pillows interface for a good night's sleep.  Interestingly, it hasn't been the nightmare I expected.  Thankfully, I don't get too many colds, but do have some slight seasonal allergies.  When I get a little congested, after washing my face with very warm water, I blow my nose as thoroughly as possible right before attaching my CPAP.  What I have found is that the air pressure keeps my airway open!  All that air rushing in seems to prevent the "glop" from forming (or it's pushing it elsewhere...lol).

Others here recommend decongestants or nasal sprays as a deterrent, but so far at least, I haven't had to resort to them.  After over two years on my CPAP, I've been able to use it EVERY night.

I selected 6 months, but I do think I felt better earlier than that. I am a heart patient, however, and maybe because of all the medication that I'm on and the heart damage I had, I am feeling tired. I do remember thinking right after I started being able to use it all night that I had felt better. I just dont' even know now. I've been having trouble waking up over and over again, adjusting things, going to the bathroom, worrying, etc. So, it's maybe not the machine, but other issues. Okay, I'm sure I totally confused you all, lol. It sure sounded confusing to me!


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diagnoses with osa in 1997.