New and Need Advice - How long until I feel better?

[hjblackburn26]

Hello!  I am new to this website and new to using a CPAP machine.  Tomorrow will make 2 weeks that I have been using my machine and I still don't feel a difference.  My main concern for being tested was that I was falling asleep at work and I am still doing that.  I'm worried that I will never feel better and that I will lose my job because I keep drifting off at work.  Everyone that I talked to about starting on the machine said I would notice a difference right away and would feel good.  This has not happened and I'm worried.  I already have anxiety and this is making it worse.  I am at work right now and I'm not sure of the machine or mask type that I have besides it being a full face mask.  I do know that my level is set to 11.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Walla Walla]

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...re_success Read this link for a lot of good information. It takes awhile to start feeling better. First you have to be sure your CPAP machine is setup right for you. Read the info on the link and then follow up with posting information on the board here for help. Good luck!

[AlanE]

If I recall I started getting decent sleep almost right away but it still took a while to get used to the mask. I believe it was 6 to 8 weeks. Hang in there.

[OpalRose]

When you get home, update your profile with correct machine information. This way, we have some idea what we're dealing with.

Not everyone feels better right away, as a matter of fact, most of us don't.

It takes awhile to adjust to a mask attached to our face and being tethered to a machine.

[Gary1of2]

It took me about 3 months to start feeling better.

[chill]

Just a note that you may find that your anxiety disappears after you get to a successful state of CPAP therapy.  I discovered that mine is caused by sleep deprivation.  That is not uncommon.

[Gideon]

It helps us to help you if you can download SleepyHead (free) and post your daily charts, many of our signatures have hoe to do this. And post your sleep studies. They do provide additional info about what type(s) of apnea you are having.

Fred

[trish6hundred]

Hi hjblackburn26,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
CPAP therapy can take some getting used to, but just stick with it, it gets better over time.
Hang in there for more responses to your post and good luck on your CPAP journey.

[Margali]

One comment, in USA if you disclose sleep apnea issue and that you are under treatment to HR it may help with issues regarding falling asleep at work. You may need a note from your doctor to be official. I have to do this about every 9 months when they adjust my thyroid and adrenal meds. I'm a complete space cadet for a week or so as system stabilizes on new dosages.

[Mosquitobait]

My feeling is that after 2 weeks, you should no longer be falling asleep at work, although you may still be tired. As mentioned, update your machine and equipment in your profile. People here can help you improve your therapy. Also, how LONG are you sleeping? If you are sleeping only 4-5 hours, then fixing really needs to be done before you are going to stop falling asleep at work.