I got my CPAP machine yesterday (Respironics Remstar Plus) and I wore it last night for the first night. I had no problems whatsoever, and I can not believe the results.
I went to bed at 11:30 last night, and I slept until 3:50. Went to the bathroom, slept from 3:50 until 8:00ish. That may sound uneventful for those of you wihtout sleep disorders, but let me tell you, the difference for me is remarkable.
First, as I was having 54 episodes an hour, waking up only once a night as opposed to 400 is highly preferable.
Second- my sheets are still on my bed. My pillows are still on my bed. I woke up in the same position that I went to sleep. Before, I would thrash around while choking, and rip the sheets off my bed. Often times I would wake up sitting in a chair sleeping (computer chair, living room chair, sitting up on the couch, sitting on the side of the bed), because in my sleep I had figured out that as a way to keep my airway open.
Third- my cat wasn’t watching me this morning when I woke up. He was sound asleep next to me.
Fourth- I actually feel rested. My head doesn’t hurt, my chest doesn’t hurt, and I feel like a 9 year old who has been chugging Starbucks and snorting pure sugar.
Fifth- I smiled before noon. I smiled before coffee. Hell- I smiled.
They say the results become more pronounced the longer you use it- but I feel better already, and I had no problem adjusting to the machine. The only side effects I have found are that for the first twenty minutes I was awake, I felt like someone had spent the last 12 hours blowdrying my tonsils and eardrums. Also, I am stiff- I am not used to sleeping in the same position for 8 hours. A hot shower and some stretching cured that.
Finally, this is going to soound stupid, but about a half hour ago, I almost became overwhelmed with emotion and started crying. I simpy can not describe how much better I feel.
JohnO
You’ve probably just added about 10 years to your life expectancy, as well.
BumperStickerist
Congratulations! I hope the good sleepcontinues, though if you start to exhibit Sullivan-esque changes in opinions, we may have to disconnect your machine.
Mikey
Glad to hear it. I have to get myself scheduled because I know I snore like a lawnmower and I don’t really feel rested in the morning.
Kimmitt
A man walks in and finds his friend sitting in the corner hitting himself on the head with a hammer.
“Why the hell are you hitting yourself with a hammer!?” he asks
“Because it feels so good when I stop.”
Ralph Gizzip
Can you hook that thing up to a nitrous tank, too?
Daniel
Congradulations and thank god for modern medicine. I hope you continue to enjoy the benefits of the machine for a ling time to come.
the friendly grizzly
I envy you. I had a sleep study done, and the damned machine drove me smack out of my mind, and I slept hardly at all.
After recent major surgery I dropped 20 lbs, and most of my sleep disorders are gone. I have anotehr surgery in a few days, and want to drop more weight after I am recovered from that.
Jon Henke
Happy to hear it, Cole. Congratulations.
Seth Williams
Cool, now we, webbloggers have our blog tool-bar – http://blogsearchengine.com/blog/index.php?p=123 !
Carl SomeDonrs
I still remember that feeling after my first night on CPAP. Don’t leave home without it!
JKC
Glad you’re feeling well, John. Stay healthy.
Jim Henley
Very exciting news, John. I’m relieved and glad.
Uh, have you decided what your new writing style will be like yet? <GDR>
Frank Villon
“Finally, this is going to soound stupid, but about a half hour ago, I almost became overwhelmed with emotion and started crying.”
That doesn’t sound stupid at all. As Pascal once wrote, “Joie, joie, joie, pleurs de joie.”
Here’s wishing you many restful nights, much relief, and a day when all the misery you’ve been through before will be only a dim memory!
DoctorDentons
Hey, and if you really want to snore I will send you a collection of “Ghost Dansing & Brigid’s ” postings on conservative blog sites.