06-27-2017, 12:38 PM
4 days in
Hey everyone, my name is Dalton. I am in my late 20s and just started CPAP treatment for what i would call moderate sleep apnea that I've had for 8-10 years. I'd like to first thank everyone on this forum for putting together a wealth of information on this subject and it has been incredibly helpful to me and I'm sure many other people.
Late last week I purchased a secondhand machine with humidifier and new mask. Unfortunately even though I recognize just how vital a sleep study is to diagnosing this, I had to forgo that part of the process as there is no way I can possibly afford to have one done, and no way for me to afford a new machine. I am calling this a "proof of concept" for me and hope to be able to afford a sleep study within a year as well as securing a new machine, preferably with auto-pap function. Basically, it was getting so severe that it scared me to be honest so hopefully this will get me by while I save up. Money can get incredibly tight for a small business owner.
I have no base-line since I did not have a sleep study but my first night trying it I slept roughly 11 hours with an AHI of 18 with 100% fit. This number has decreased to 10.2, 7.7, and last night it was 2.5. For at least 5 years I have woken up nearly every single hour all night long and the first night I slept roughly 2 hours at a time, the second about 3 hours, and the third 5 hours, but tonight went backwards for the first time with me waking up every 2.5 hours or so. I feel much more rested but this struck me as odd. I would love to be able to sleep through the entire night for a change and I'm hoping with more use I will continue to improve.
My biggest complaints so far is the swallowing of air and the first 2 nights waking up periodically with an incredibly dry throat. The mask itself doesn't really bother me and was easy enough to get accustomed to since I'm already used to wearing a respirator every day for my job. The air pressure seemed very harsh at 9cm and then adjusted to my current 12cm but with the ramp feature and c-flex I was able to fall asleep and upon waking up, now the 12cm is hardly noticeable to me and even had me doubting that it was working correctly a few times. The first 3 nights my sinuses felt uncomfortable when I woke up, but I think that is subsiding as well.
Obviously I'm just beginning this journey but I already feel that it was a great decision and feel so relaxed now when I'm going to sleep. I was worried because It seems that most people hate the treatment, at least at first, but i haven't really had any major issues with it. I can only assume that this is because I went into it on my own will as opposed to someone telling me I have to do it, and I've Been optimistic the entire time.
I find it fascinating to look at the data every morning at a glance on dream mapper and then in more detail with sleepy head later when I get home.
I guess that's all. hopefully nothing I've done jumps out at anyone as being stupid because I've tried to go about it in the smartest way that I can.
Late last week I purchased a secondhand machine with humidifier and new mask. Unfortunately even though I recognize just how vital a sleep study is to diagnosing this, I had to forgo that part of the process as there is no way I can possibly afford to have one done, and no way for me to afford a new machine. I am calling this a "proof of concept" for me and hope to be able to afford a sleep study within a year as well as securing a new machine, preferably with auto-pap function. Basically, it was getting so severe that it scared me to be honest so hopefully this will get me by while I save up. Money can get incredibly tight for a small business owner.
I have no base-line since I did not have a sleep study but my first night trying it I slept roughly 11 hours with an AHI of 18 with 100% fit. This number has decreased to 10.2, 7.7, and last night it was 2.5. For at least 5 years I have woken up nearly every single hour all night long and the first night I slept roughly 2 hours at a time, the second about 3 hours, and the third 5 hours, but tonight went backwards for the first time with me waking up every 2.5 hours or so. I feel much more rested but this struck me as odd. I would love to be able to sleep through the entire night for a change and I'm hoping with more use I will continue to improve.
My biggest complaints so far is the swallowing of air and the first 2 nights waking up periodically with an incredibly dry throat. The mask itself doesn't really bother me and was easy enough to get accustomed to since I'm already used to wearing a respirator every day for my job. The air pressure seemed very harsh at 9cm and then adjusted to my current 12cm but with the ramp feature and c-flex I was able to fall asleep and upon waking up, now the 12cm is hardly noticeable to me and even had me doubting that it was working correctly a few times. The first 3 nights my sinuses felt uncomfortable when I woke up, but I think that is subsiding as well.
Obviously I'm just beginning this journey but I already feel that it was a great decision and feel so relaxed now when I'm going to sleep. I was worried because It seems that most people hate the treatment, at least at first, but i haven't really had any major issues with it. I can only assume that this is because I went into it on my own will as opposed to someone telling me I have to do it, and I've Been optimistic the entire time.
I find it fascinating to look at the data every morning at a glance on dream mapper and then in more detail with sleepy head later when I get home.
I guess that's all. hopefully nothing I've done jumps out at anyone as being stupid because I've tried to go about it in the smartest way that I can.
