How do you know if CPAP is working?

I do not feel much different and I have been using my machine for about 3 weeks now. My hubby says he does not hear me snoring anymore, but I feel short of breath during the day. I am always doing heavy sighs and yawning every couple of hours. How do I know if its working right?

I am kind of thinking the same thing! The only thing I do notice is that I sleep more restfully. I am a twirler when I sleep. My sheets have been staying on the bed now! I have had my machine for 3 months and still fall asleep in th afternoon and am yawning by 10 a.m..... Sue

I guess we are allin the same boat. I have had my machine, an auto CPAP for about a month now and I was thinking the same thing. I tried the nose pillows, but like the mask better because I can have my mouth open in the mask. I just don't know if it is working I don't feel the same kind of presure coming in that I do with the nose pillows. I am also still waking up several times a night, but I agree the blankets seem to not move as much so maybe the sleep is more restfull HELP! Alan

You can have your home care provider do an auto titration on you to make sure your pressure is right. Other than that, there isn't really anything. I do know that CPAP use of about 2-4 weeks is the length of time it takes to start truly feeling the effects. Just give it time and keep in mind that you have had sleep apnea probably most of your life. So it will take some time for your body to catch up on all that lost sleep and deprivation. Keep up with it and just give it some more time. If after 90 days you feel no different, see your doc and question the issues. Then a home titration might help out. It could be the pressure just isn't right. Good luck!

My hubby says I snor less and seem to sleep more soundly, but that darn tiredness is still there. What is auto titration? Also, I have had my machine for about 4 weeks. I have the one with the humidifier and am still "renting" it at this point. I am still paying off my deductible before insurance picks up any of it. Does that mean that I can switch machines, since I am renting it? I am not using the humidifier. It does not seem to help and it is making the water droplets go down my face and then I wake up. The machine with the humidifier is $400 more than the regular machine and if I am not using it, then its a waste of money. Oh yeah, and I called my PCP the last night to tell him that I have been doing the excessive yawning and sighing all day everyday and he said I am low on oxygen. Apparently since my nose is always "stuffy" I am breathing out of my mouth and due to the fact that I am also a smoker, he said I am not getting enough oxygen through my mouth. So he prescribed a steriod nose spray to open my nasal passage and hope that will help. I hope my approval comes quickly b/c I am soooo sick of medicines and machines!

If you are still mouth breating with the machine on then you might need a full face mask. If I have "mouth breathers" then I usually place them on either a full face mask that covers the nose and the mouth together or use a nasal mask with a chin strap. If you are using CPAP and sleeping with your mouth open then it's only 50% helpful. The air pressure will take the path of least resistence and shoot right out your mouth instead of through your airway. You can contact your home care provider and tell them your situation. They can refit you for a mask and also look into a new machine for you before you are committed to buying it. Good luck!

That's funny, I was just coming here to post the same question. I was wondering how do you know that the pressure is right. I have been using it two months now. I also do still feel tired, still pass out at night, but I do also sleep more restfully, no more snoring, no more rocking. The headaches had vanished, but the past two weeks, I notice that I have been getting a dull headache again, which made me think that maybe the pressure wasn't right. I am using the nasal mask with no humidifier. Eileen

Thanks for all the great info, everybody. I just got my CPAP and was wondering how long before I start feeling more energy. I know it's working because my fiance says I don't snore at all and I'm not waking up near as much. I figured I'm running with a huge sleep deficit, so it'll take a while to get "caught up." If you're getting rain out in the mask, try turning the heat down a bit. Also changing to a different design mask may help. Talk to your equipment company for trouble shooting. The humidity really helps with the dry mouth and throat which is better for you in the long term. Caryl

the humidifier is a big help, especially in the winter when the heat is on, texas is something different tnan nj, Try a longer,or double length hose, and have the mach level with the bed and the hose hoarse shoe to the floor to trap the execess water, lower the temp on humidifier. i m on my third mach, and get a different style mask, you are entitled to a head piece every 6months , a different mask to alternate touch points will reduce sensitive skin sores.