How long to feel results from CPAP?

[joto]

I was recently diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and fitted with a CPAP machine. There was a thread about this last year, but it didn't really address my questions.

The nasal pillow is fine, doesn't leak and I don't really notice it or the air pressure now after two weeks. My wife says the snoring has been virtually eliminated, but although things seem to be slowly improving, I'm still waking up tired and tend to feel tired during the day. The improvement might be my imagination, or the treatment for the simultaneously diagnosed asthma problems. I still wake up a few times at night on average. The medical personnel who diagnosed me and fitted the machine were giving me the impression I should feel better more or less right away. It's definitely taking longer than I hoped to see real improvement.

How long after some of you started CPAP did it take to feel whole worlds better, if at all? What are reasonable expectations for the device and its effect, short and long term? Do I have to pay off my sleep debt to really feel the effect? I don't expect to feel eighteen again, but was hoping people here who use it could give some feedback on their experiences adjusting to the machine and seeing results from the treatment. Thanks in advance.

 

[philipfromga]

I have a full face mask and notice significant results after about 2 weeks. It took me that long to really get comfortable with it. Now I almost need to have it on to go to sleep. As I started feeling less tired and more alert I also lost weight, lowered my BP and was just in an all around better mood. You may need the full mask if you are breathing through your mouth while you are sleeping your nasal pillow is basically useless. My advice would be to stick with it. I have had mine since September and it has made a world of difference for me. My father in law has had one for at over 5 years and I honestly think he would no longer be with us without it.

 

[joto]

My wife says I am not breathing through my mouth when I sleep, and the 2 sleep studies I had I guess didn't indicate it, because they never said anything about it. I feel perfectly acclimated to the equipment- was it two weeks until you started feeling normal, or when you started to see improvement?

 

[strat1117]

I could never get used to the mask, and stopped using it. It cured my sleep apnea by preventing me from falling asleep!

 

[markb]

I use a CPAP with nose pillows as well (couldn't use the mask). I noticed an improvement almost immediately. However, I did have to increase the pressure I used. They had rated me an "8" but I ended up increasing it to "12". That's when I really noticed the improvement. Might want to try that.

If all else fails call your doctor.

Good luck. I hope you get it worked out because I can't believe how much better I feel since I began using it. I feel rested now and it (virtually) eliminated the instances of drowsiness/tiredness during the day.

 

[mgarbell]

I've been using a CPAP for about 5 years now. I have moderate to severe sleep apnea. My sleep study showed that I had on average of 42 events per hour.

I started with the nasal pillow masks. Ended up with about 4 different ones that I would cycle through. My pressure started at 8 and it's now at 10.

I noticed the difference almost from the first night. It took me a week or 2 to get used to wearing it, but I felt much better right away.

I now have to use a full face mask because I started breathing through my mouth. I hate it because I have trouble sleeping on my back. I'm considering surgery to correct my apnea, but just can't afford it right now.

If you aren't seeing results already, call your doctor. See if he'll authorize an increase in the pressure.

Also, especially if you use a nasal pillows mask, make sure to clean them regularly. If not, you can get an infection, and that's no fun!

 

[philipfromga]

I had trouble adjusting to the mask for the first 2 weeks then it all of a sudden just worked itself out. I don't sleep on my back I sleep on my side i have a airplane pillow that i but under my neck and that keeps me from pushing my mask off in the night. During my first 2 weeks i would wake up with the air running and the mask off my face where I apparently took it off in my sleep. I haven't done that in a long time.

 

[Wilpar76]

When I was still using mine, it took me about two weeks to get acclimated.

Aside from the mask issues that other members have mentioned, I found that the biggest benefit was the type of machine. I had a machine that had a small water tank for the built-in humidifier. That made all the difference. I never woke up dry. In fact, I always slept like a rock.

However, I could never make it though a whole night because I would start to sweat under the mask in my mustache area. I would take the mask off at about 5:00 AM and then sleep for about another hour. That one hour of sleep without the CPAP would undo the rest I gained while sleeping with the CPAP.

Hang in there.

 

[markb]

I found that the biggest benefit was the type of machine. I had a machine that had a small water tank for the built-in humidifier. That made all the difference. I never woke up dry. In fact, I always slept like a rock.

That's the kind I have.

 

[masonjarjar]

I have my fitting for a CPAP after work tomorrow. So, tonight will be the "last night" for some time that I will be sleeping without a mask..

I guess I was in denial for some time about my sleep problems. I can honestly say that I've been tired for years. I pretty much always crash around 3 to 4pm, and sometimes in mid-morning too.. I'm dreading putting in the window A/C because I know it's so heavy..

But I always chalked it up to just not getting to bed early enough, bad eating habits, allergies, etc.. I've been snoring for years too. My wife is a saint for putting up with it this long. The results of the sleep study was pretty severe obstructive apnea, with most of my events being "hypopneas".. my follow up "titration" study went pretty well, even though I felt like I was awake a LOT that night, the tech said I "slept like a rock" all night. Weird.

Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to all the positive benefits that are reported by various folks on the CPAP.. just feeling better, more even moods, less "fogginess", hopefully even help with losing weight and lowering blood pressure.

 

[poppi]

I've never been able to get used to any of the cpap equipment, always felt like I was suffocating. My next step is the dental device that's supposed to help

 

[withoutink]

I use a cpap machine with the flex technology. It adjusts the inhales and exhales based of my breathing rythym. It kind of knows when I breath and the duration of the cycle. So that part of the CPAP is great. It took me about a month to deal with the masks. Currently I use the: Mirage Swift II Nasal Pillow mask and I love it.

My wife is no longer worried I am going to die in my sleep, seeing as how I would stop breathing on and off throughout the night.

Lastly, I feel much more energized when I wake up. I also have less headaches...

 

[JudgeXa]

I have been using a CPAP for about 4 years now. I settled on a Mirage Activa mask, which is a nasal mask (but not pillows). It has worked well for me since I got it, and works with me sleeping on my sides or back.

For me (at 12cm/2), I noticed the difference pretty much immediately, but it was easily a month or so before I'd consider myself back to "normal". Keep in mind, "normal" is relative, and sleep may only be one factor. Consider weight gain/loss, additional life stressors (kids, work, economy, etc) and other items that might also be causing your tiredness.

On a side note, I've had to turn off my heated humidifier most nights, as it's relatively humid where I am (southern california, very close to the beach), and would wake up often drowning, even at the lowest heat setting.

 

[markb]

On a side note, I've had to turn off my heated humidifier most nights, as it's relatively humid where I am (southern california, very close to the beach), and would wake up often drowning, even at the lowest heat setting.

Same with me, living in Alabama as I do.

 

[wilsonent]

Most people will show continuing improvement in symptoms after 4 to 5 weeks, and some take months. It will take awhile for your sleep deprivation to catch up. Everyone is different, but be patient.

 

[masonjarjar]

just had my "fitting" and training session. I have a Zest Nasal mask and a REMstar M series machine w/ humidifier. Very easy to use. Has a ramp-up feature, that will start slow then get stronger as you fall asleep.

Here's to hoping that this changes a few things for me.

 

[KarthVader]

My Dad is a lab director and manager of a sleep lab and I used to work in sleep for about a year as a sleep technologist. It's kinda weird and surprising to see all of you talking about your sleep apnea and using CPAP. I guess my work and my Dad's work is going to some good use. I would agree though, patients always have a hard time getting used to the mask and the whirring sound of the machine itself, but keep at it; it's both beneficial to you (and your bed partner if you have one). I think 2 weeks to a month is the usual time alotted to get used to the machine.

 

[82R100]

Over ten years on CPAP. I started with nasal pillows but had problems with mouth leakage and my tongue thrusting against my upper teeth, floating them forward. I've been on an old fashioned Respironics ComfortClassic. I kind of prop it against a pillow to help position it for the initial seal.

Stick with it. My improvement was immediate, but my case was severe.

- Chris

 

[CarlosAT]

I felt better instantly and I've had one for about 4 years now. Sometimes, CPAP is only part of the solution. With the OSA taken care of, there maybe something else that is also making you stay tired. Let your doctor know. He/She may have some ideas.

Good luck!

 

[40_Caliber]

I've been on Apap for about 5 years now after a diagnosis with severe OSA. The therapy definitely helps, but I still have trouble with feeling tired.

Take a look at this site. This sleep apnea forum has a bunch of friendly, helpful, experienced, and knowledgeable folks that can help with sleep/cpap issues. It's kinda like a Badger and Blade for sleeping!

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