I'm glad that you have finally gotten your CPAP from the VA. You should start feeling better soon, and much better after your body starts to adjust to not being strangled 56 times per hour. It make take weeks/months to fully adjust your brain to not being in a "fight or flight state" every night, which is what SA does and is the main cause of its deadly results. Your AHI of 56 is considered "severe" (mine was 49 in the lab), but there are many with much higher AHI numbers than us. As of this coming April 3, I will have been on CPAP (APAP actually) for 3 years. My AHI number is almost always below .5 (point 5) and I consider anything near 1 as a bad night. In truth most CPAP users would love to have my AHI numbers.

It sounds like they have given you a full face mask; correct? The main reason to use a full face mask is if you are a "mouth breather" (sleep with you mouth open). If at all possible, try to change to a nose breather and keep your mouth closed. This is the natural method of breathing. Remember a saying that I read a while back: "the mouth is for eating and the nose is for breathing and do not get the two confused". Some people have no choice, but it is worth the effort to make the change if possible (for one you could then use a "pillow mask" which is much less of a pain to live with).

BTW - - If you do not have them already, get a copy of your sleep study and your prescription. You may not need them for VA benefits, but there may come a time when you just want to buy an inexpensive item without a hassle, and a prescription may be necessary.

Good luck, and sweet dreams!!!

VA takes care of everything.

And yes, I have a full mask. My soft pallet actually sits in the back of my tounge Making it Very difficult to breath through my mouth. But.... My Sinuses are almost blocked all the time, this past year. So... imagine, both airways I'm getting little air. I'm hoping with the moist air, I'll be OK. The few times hit n miss where I could breath through my nose.... I slept well.
But, the Doctor said it looks like my nasal passages are getting smaller. Ugh....
But.... I'm looking at the bright side of this and happy to have it.

Thanks for the info.

The VA gives me new everything, (except a new machine), every 6 months. Hose, filters and mask.

Anyway, tomorrow, Saturday night. I'm supposed to wear it all night for the first time. I've been wearing it an hour or so the last two days. To get used to the feel and fit. So far..... it Sucks!

Seasmus, how are things going with the new machine. Are you able to get more rest. I just started using a CPAP a couple of weeks ago and, unfortunately, it hasn't helped me yet. I know it takes time for some, so I'm just trying to remain patient and keep using it and see what happens.

Seamus, I've been using a CPAP for 22 years. (started at age 52) One thing is the machines keep getting better all the time. I'm now on my 6th machine and each new version gets smaller and more sophisticated (The first one was the size and weight of a car battery.).. I'm now using an Automatic CPAP machine which constantly adjusts the pressure in coordination with my breathing. This machine even transmits my data wirelessly to the CPAP manufacturer and I can pull the data up online to see how I'm doing. In the past month my apneas have averaged around 1.0(one.zero) per hour (I was diagnosed with 39 originally) .

I had a follow-up echocardiogram a couple of months after I got the new machine and the cardiologist said that my valve leakage had actually improved with the new CPAP!

Hi. I am new here. I got a new machine in Feb. Struggled with it as it makes my airway raw and red and feel like am getting sick. (Last machine caused pneumonia). Went to doc, he said give it 3 more months. The next 3 nights were great. My ahi went from 27 to 1.5, and felt better. He didn't say he was adjusting anything. But last night, was dreaming I couldn't breathe, then woke to realize I have CPAP on but am not able to pull in a full breath. I ripped the mask off. I had been on 1 hour with ahi of 37. Any suggestions?

Look at YouTube, they have many short videos.

I'm not doing well with mine. Only leave it on a few hours. I've had it about a month now. I try to leave it in as long as possible. But I can't sleep. Yet, I try each night. 1 night in a month, I fell asleep for a few hours.

Diagnosed 10 yrs ago with severe SA and severe sleep deprivation as well as insomnia. Could not wear the mask, can't even sleep with a blanket over my face. I made an appointment with a maxillofacial surgeon last October and found out about a surgical procedure that has about 90-95 success rate of eliminating to reducing to minor SA.

Had the surgery in December and it has made a world of difference. I wake feeling rested, did not eliminate insomnia, but so far has reduced it and have lost 30 lbs.

It's a rather extensive surgery that lasts about 6 hours as they move both lower and upper jaws forward.

Best thing I have ever done. I am 55 and I feel more energetic than I have in 2 decades. I highly suggest see a maxillofacial surgeon for a consult. Like I said, best move I made and the potential health benefits of reduced chances of stroke, heart desires, type 2 diabetes, etc. A miserable recovery, but 100% worth it.

For me they also pulled the base of my tounge forward as well to tighten it up and widened my nasal passages and straightened the sputum.

I kind you not, I have not slept so soundly in 25 years. Life changer for me. I believe the procedure is called a Lefort. Can't hurt to look into it. Good luck.

Wow, that's extensive. Must be expensive too....