What's an estimated time to feel the effects

[iloveoliver]

I just started using my CPAP 7 days ago. My range of MySir scores are ranging from 90 to 98. The highest evetns I've had was just less than 4. My range for sleep time is 7 hours to 11 hours. Ive downloaded the sleepyhead software so I'll look at that later.

My doctor told me it would take a month to see any difference. Then I read somewhere else it was 3 months. What has been people's experiences in regards to increased energy. What other effects can I expect?

[PoolQ]

all over the map. Most people require two focus areas.
1. the treatment settings, do they work, are the apnea's below 5 per hour (or lower)
2. can you get comfortable enough to use the CPAP. If you are not comfortable, you will not get rested no matter what your AHI is.

There are many comfort settings and it is impossible for anyone to set these so they work best for you, except you.

For me personally the process was a step function. I focused on what was bothering me at the time and when that was under control, the next most bothersome issues would get my attention. Each step was better than the last.

[chill]

It is a very personal thing. For me, I noticed a dramatic improvement in mental clarity from the very first night (8 hours!). I have also had marked improvements almost immediately to my anxiety and depression as well as my clogged nasal passages in the morning. I am still hoping that my energy levels improve over time. Now that I have improved, I notice that I am much more sensitive or at least aware of small changes in the quality of my sleep.

[PaytonA]

Some are very lucky and get all the improvement immediately. It can also take a year or two or somewhere in between. As people have already mentioned, the improvements may not come all together.

Getting Sleepyhead up and running is a good step. That will give you much more information.

Best Regards,

PaytonA

[0rangebear]

I felt like crap for the first 6 weeks, in weeks 7 I started to feel like I did before starting therapy on some days. From week 8 until week 13. I slept and felt exactly like I did before they put me on therapy.

Tonight will be my 100th night of therapy.

Last week the length of my sleep cycle increased. I am feeling like I am sleepy deeper and longer now. It also seems like somewhere along the way I stopped dreaming. I used to dream every night sometimes multiple dreams in one night. I haven't had a dream in several weeks 9at least not one I remember)

[DariaVader]

My morning headaches ceased immediately, but for the first month I craved sleep with the nearly irresistible urge beginning a little bit later each day. Someone on the forum had mentioned that REM can be guestimated by reviewing the respiration patterns, because REM respiration looks very much like awake respiration. I mentioned that to my Sleep Doc and he looked interested, thought a minute, then agreed it was so. Using respiration patterns as a guide, it took me 6 months to have consistently more than 1 REM cycle per night. at 1.5+ years I have the more normal 3 to 4, depending on whether I sleep 6 hours or 9 (or more usually in between there). So Incremental improvement for me. I have not yet seen improvements in either blood sugar or blood pressure as was suggested I *might* and that is disappointing, but I am definitely better off!

[0rangebear]

My morning headaches ceased immediately, but for the first month I craved sleep with the nearly irresistible urge beginning a little bit later each day. Someone on the forum had mentioned that REM can be guestimated by reviewing the respiration patterns, because REM respiration looks very much like awake respiration. I mentioned that to my Sleep Doc and he looked interested, thought a minute, then agreed it was so. Using respiration patterns as a guide, it took me 6 months to have consistently more than 1 REM cycle per night. at 1.5+ years I have the more normal 3 to 4, depending on whether I sleep 6 hours or 9 (or more usually in between there). So Incremental improvement for me. I have not yet seen improvements in either blood sugar or blood pressure as was suggested I *might* and that is disappointing, but I am definitely better off!

WOW! you actually sleep 9 hours - how can you do that!

[OpalRose]

I also sleep 9 hours on occasion, but feel better if I get up after 7 hours.

Within the first week, my blood pressure readings went down, and my daily headaches and dizziness stopped. Although my hubby thinks I'm still dizzy.

The one thing that sometimes keeps me awake now is the arthritis pain in my hips, so it wakes me up and says...turn over.

iloveoliver... As you can see, everyone has a different experience. I find that if you take charge of your therapy and learn all you can, it will go a lot smoother. A good attitude helps too.

Getting the right equipment, pressure setting, and mask will make all the difference.

[Possum]

Sorry, but I'm afraid the answer to your question is, "Anywhere from overnight to never."

I adapted to PAP therapy quickly, and initially thought I felt instantly better with a lot more energy, etc. Over time as I've become so acclimated to it, sometimes I feel like that perception was more the placebo effect. Almost a year later I'm still overweight, have borderline blood pressure, and just as much difficulty losing weight. I guess those effects are just age-related, but I had really hoped PAP would somehow magically fix my ills - naive I guess. It seems like some people describe it as a panacea, but I haven't found that to be the case.

All that aside, every now and then I'll fall asleep without it and then I wake up the next day feeling dreadful, like I hadn't slept a wink. That helps me remember life pre-therapy.

[trish6hundred]

Hi iloveoliver,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Some get use to CPAP therapy right away and others, it takes a long time. I took to it right away but don’t sweat it if you take a little longer. It took my mom quite a while for her to get in the swing of things.
Hang in there for more responses to your post and much success to you with your CPAP therapy.