skidski

I like the idea of the soft down pillow. I may well try that.

Thanks, that's very helpful. I'll follow up on your suggestions. I'm happy that I'm staying on the machine for 8 hours and that I already feel more energy, just curious as to how long it takes to make up for all the sleep you lose that first week. I made several adjustments already. I bought a pillow with a cutout space on either side so my head wasn't pressing the mask down into the pillow. When the noise was keeping me awake I turned on an old air filter system I had on the other side of the room and that cancelled out the noise from the CPAP machine. Started reading a half hour before I go into the bed and don't watch TV in the bed. Trying to wait until I'm sleepy to get into the bed. Keeping the room temperature slightly lower. It hasn't been fun, but other than the first five nights (where I was laying awake) it's not been awful. I'm just still sleepy from losing about 20 hours sleep on those first five nights.

I'm one week in to using CPAP for treatment of mild sleep apnea. First night was rough but I've worn the mask 6-8 hours a night and have gone from not much sleep to begin with to probably 6 to 7 hours sleep the last three nights. Also I am getting to sleep more quickly within the ramp up window. My energy levels went up from the very first day. Still waking up a couple of times a night but falling back to sleep in a reasonable time.

Wanted to know if other people have experienced an impact from the sleep they missed while they were getting adjusted. Ironically, about the time I started getting comfortable with the mask and falling asleep quicker I now feel awful. It's very similar to how I've felt in the past on occasions where I missed sleep. It hit some the day after the first good night's sleep I got and then today it was like a house fell on me. I feel like CPAP will make a positive difference in my quality of life but I'm surprised (and a little apprehensive) about how bad I feel from missing sleep. Is this typical and how long does it take to make up the sleep you lost? Any advice on how to deal with it?

I really feel fortunate I've adjusted to the mask this quickly and I really feel sorry for people who take longer. If you went through this for a month or so I imagine you'd end up worse off from the cure than from sleep apnea. Thanks for any comments, experiences, or advice.