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More tired after starting CPAP

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Jarheadpig7 +0 points · almost 7 years ago Original Poster

Hello, I'm new to the forum. I was recently diagnosed with obstructive Sleep Apnea and it was classified as SEVERE. I started using a CPAP machine 5 weeks ago and I am terribly disappointed that I am not feeling any better. I'm just as tired and actually think I'm more tired since starting. I can log 8+ hours on the machine, wake up, take it off and sleep another 2 or 3 hours. When I don't have work or kids I can sleep 12 to 14 hours. It's ridiculous. I understand there are many causes of excessive fatigue. I don't eat well or exercise like I should. I'm 20 to 30 lbs overweight and suffer from depression. However I recently came across some medical records from when I was 18 years old and in the Marine Corps where I was having issues with chronic fatigue. I couldn't have been in much better shape than I was at that time. What the heck is wrong with me?

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Jarheadpig7 +0 points · almost 7 years ago Original Poster

My AHI was 41.9 and my "Epworth Sleep Scale" score was 13.

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wiredgeorge +1 point · almost 7 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

Thanks for your service! First of all, you were put on CPAP to relieve the apnea events that occurred all too frequently. These events cause issues medically and also mess up your sleep. You feel worse than you did before and are sleeping a bit excessively. The issue here is that you don't seem to be monitoring what is going on yourself. What type machine are you on? If it is one of the ResMed machines that zip back stats via cell tower, you can see your daily results. In addition to the machine I got when I received my first prescription, I bought a ResMed S9 which is older and doesn't do this cell phone transfer of info but has the info right there on the machine. There is also an SD card in the machine and if I chose, I could download some 3rd party software to monitor therapy (it is called Sleepyhead I think). You then download the nights info from the SD card to your computer and KNOW what is going on. This info will tell you current AHI and leak rates, etc. If your therapy isn't working as it should, things need to be tweeked. You may have other issues medically and these are worth talking with your doc but YOU can and should look at your own CPAP therapy for effectiveness and assume control over the sleep issue. When I was in the Army, we had an expression, Adapt, Improvise and Overcome.

As you get into driving the effectiveness of your own therapy, keep active on this board and we will be here to help. wg

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Jarheadpig7 +0 points · almost 7 years ago Original Poster

Thanks. The VA actually downloads all the data and reviews it. They have it set up with no SD card and no options for us to access our own reports. Sounds dumb, I know. I follow up with the Sleep doc in late June. The machine issued to me is a Resmed AirSense 10 "Autoset" which ranges in pressure from 4.0 to 20. When I begin each night it stays at 4.0 for a while. When I have awakened during the night it's normally in the 9-10 range. 14.1 is the highest I have seen it. The machine gives me a smiley 😊 for mask seal and has a leak test as well, which is always fine. I would say on most nights I get one to 3 leaks that wake me with the loud rushing air noise. I started with the nasal pillows but I felt like I may mouth breathe some, so I started using the full mask on night 2 until now.

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wiredgeorge +0 points · almost 7 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

If you have a ResMed Airsense 10 machine, go to this link: https://myair.resmed.com

Sign up for an account and you can monitor your therapy by going online to see the previous night's results. It stores results for the past 14 days. The results are sent in via cell tower to ResMed and then you have access.

I use an AirCurve 10 because my prescription requires much higher pressure than you are using (25). I use a full face mask called an Amara View. It is a bit different than most full face as the mask doesn't have a center post and fits up under your nose; not over it. It covers my mask and works great and is comfortable as long as my jaw doesn't go slack and the bottom of the mask ends up in my mouth. I wear an MMA boil and fit mouth guard to keep my jaw from going slack and this works great for me.

We are all different and I sleep about 4.5 to 6 hours per night and feel pretty good. The reason I felt poorly prior to therapy was low blood oxygen for extended periods at night when I quit breather AND shallow/interrupted sleep where I never hit the deep sleep area. I was up multiple times during the night thinking I had to hit the head. I really didn't as I don't get up at night at all. I monitor my O2 levels using a gizmo called a PULSE OXYMETER which looks like a wrist watch. It records my pulse and blood O2 levels. The low oxygen thing no longer happens so rather than in the low 70s for long periods; it is always in the mid 90s or a tad above. I no longer nod off during the middle of the day and feel pretty alert.

While it is fine that sam is taking care of you, self educate and start driving your own therapy. While other things may be at work, at least the apnea thing will be managed by the person most interested and affected.

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Ann +0 points · about 6 years ago

I have been using the CPap for even longer and sleepier during the day than ever too. After 8 or even 9 hours of great sleep I am ready for another snooze soon after taking it off.

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