bethsheba

Hi 2tired!

I knew I was going to keep my cpap the very first night I slept with it---it was the first night in months/years that I did not get up to go to the bathroom (I was getting up as much as 4 times per night, ). However, it took me several months (and several masks) to get used to the whole thing. I think they gave me a cheapo mask per my insurance company, but once I started getting more sleep I became more assertive as to what my needs were and asked to try other masks...and there are hundreds of masks out there so don't stop after trying only one, two, or three!

I ripped the mask off of my face many nights, and stepped on it at least twice ( ) breaking 2 masks in the first few months---once I got a mask that was comfortable and didn't leak, getting rid of my nasal congestion (allergies, whatever) seemed to help the most as far as keeping the mask on.

And yes, my fatigue was deabilitating (I don't know how they can possibly label the apnea as only "mild" or "moderate" as I felt dead!). My grandmother was concerned about me as a child and she described me as having chronic fatigue. She taught school and realized I didn't have the energy the other children had. And yes, I am sometimes AMAZED that I got through both college and graduate school! It was a struggle...not because the material was challenging...because I was always tired and because I now know, I lacked concentration! What I remember most, was spending one day in the library reading 8 chapters of law and remembering it all!!! It was so easy! And the reason I remember this is because it made no sense to me to have an "easy" day when the years were so very difficult...Now I know it was a matter of a good night's sleep!

As for the depression, it used to be a frequent companion, one I'd always lived with---although, I knew that if I took a good nap, my depression would usually lift. I've had my cpap for a couple of years now, and if I experienced depression, I didn't notice it----although, that's the problem I had with depression...didn't know I had it until I "recovered". Guess what I'm trying to say is that my moods are better. And yes, I've been known to get pretty crabby...(this is the polite description ).

Oh, and for the record, my durable home medical equipment supplier sponsored a "support group" for those of us considering cpap, using cpap, or friends'/family members of cpap users...this group was of immense help to me and I learned ALOT from these people---

Hope I haven't rambled too much...but do hope you'll keep trying. You may discover a "new" you!

Bsheba

PS Sometimes pressures can cause adjustment problems for people. Was a ramp starting pressure prescribed for you? Oh, and do use your humidifier. I didn't when I first got my machine but it makes a big difference. FYI I have a Respironics REMstar auto cpap and use a respironics comfort gel nasal mask.