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Still feeling exhausted after months of CPAP use

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SoCalSandDollar2807 +0 points · about 6 years ago Original Poster

Good day to all.

I was wondering if I could get some suggestions or recommendations as to my issue. I was diagnosed with Moderate Sleep Apnea back in July of 2014. The diagnoses was for Central Apnea and was issued a Bi-PAP. I found it very difficult to use the machine and always kicked it off in the middle of the night. I was using a Full Face Mask at the time.

Fast Forward to February of 2017, I was re-diagnosed with OSA and issued a ResMed Airsense 10 with a ResMed FX Nasal Mask. I started using the machine on April 1st, 2017 and took to it very well. My Starting AHI was 24 per hour and my prescription was 12 cmH2O. I've recently downloaded the Sleppyhead Software and have been tracking my progress.

Last Month Averages:

Time: 8 hours of use Compliance: 96% AHI: 3.10 Obstructive Index: 1.32 Hypopnea Index: 0.77 Clear Airway Index: 0.98 Flow Limitation Index: 0.00 RERA Index: 0.49 % of Time in Cheyne Stokes Respiration: 0.00%

Average Leak Rate: 7.51 90% Leak Rate: 0.00 % of time above leak rate threashold: 3.39%

The problem that I'm having is I am not feeling ANY benefit of its use. I wake up exhausted and continue the day exhausted. I can literally fall asleep at any moment, given the opportunity. My doctor has prescribed me Adderall; which, I do not like taking because I'm not a big fan of prescription meds. However, without the Adderall, I can not focus and lack any energy to do my daily tasks, including work.

My wife recently commented she noticed my breathing has stopped several time throughout the night. I spoke to my Respiratory Therapist who suggested I return to my PCP and ask for a higher prescription. With that being said, I increased my pressure to 13 cmH2O (without consulting my doctor).

I would like to add I sleep about 8-12 hours a day.

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SleepyMommy703 +0 points · about 6 years ago Sleep Commentator

I have read that some people can take a full year of treatment to feel the benefits. That said I did 10 months initially and didn't feel much better and I'm back on CPAP now for 7 months and still feel exhausted all the time. My doctor did an at home study to determine if the machine was working as well as it said it was. The at home study indicated that I'm not having apneas, but showed frequent respiratory disturbances. Now they have ordered an overnight study at the clinic to see if they can determine what these disturbances are and if they are part of why I'm still tired all the time. Otherwise our next step was also something like Provigil to help me feel more awake during the day. I'm also super hesitant to try that option as I'm extremely sensitive to most meds and tend to have the worst side effects. I also already suffer from anxiety which is one of the side effects.

They also had already ruled out thyroid issues, anemia, etc. via bloodwork.

I wouldn't change your pressures without a doctor and would make sure you are following up with them. I know some sleep doctors aren't very proactive and prescribe the machine and rarely see you again. So far mine has had me continuing to come back and follow up, change masks, do further overnight testing, etc. to try and get me feeling better. Maybe find another doctor if yours isn't doing enough for you.

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SoCalSandDollar2807 +0 points · about 6 years ago Original Poster

Thank you for the response. I hope you get your issues worked out as well.

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wiredgeorge +2 points · about 6 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

Still tired? If you quit breathing, your SPO2 may drop. Best to monitor this as low blood oxygenation is a cause of daytime sleepiness. Buy a recording PULSE OXYMETER and start monitoring your blood oxygen (and pulse if you want). Buy the type that has a finger sensor which is a rubber doo-hickey that fits over your finger. The PULSE OXYMETER stores your SPO2 and you can monitor drops. You can them talk to your doc about rectifying this issue which may not be just CPAP therapy fixable.

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SoCalSandDollar2807 +0 points · about 6 years ago Original Poster

Ordering one today. Thank you.

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ImAjay253 +0 points · over 1 year ago

Did you ever get good enough sleep to not be exhausted? What did you do? I've been on an Apap machine for a year and a half and I'm exhausted EXHUASTED daily. I can't overstate exhausted. It is miserable. I am overweight, diagnosed with severe obstructive apnea, I'm been on a good nutrition plan that I follow for a few months, losing weight, my testosterone is in good levels with TRT. My PCP just prescribed Adderall last week. I do have ADHD so hoping this will help the focus. I have a sleep study coming up in October at the clinic. My pressure has been changed multiple times but that hasn't helped. My mask is comfortable. I fall asleep just fine. I stay asleep, except to go to bathroom. You story felt very similar to mine so I had to ask, I really hope they figured out how to help you and I'm hoping I can get the same.

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Sierra +0 points · over 1 year ago Sleep Patron

Have you tried downloading your results to OSCAR and viewing them in detail? It requires a Mac or PC and a SD card reader. If you copy your daily report screen to a post here I can give you my thoughts on whether there is room for improvement.

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ImAjay253 +0 points · over 1 year ago

I have the Res Med 10, I have not put an SD card in there because it is Wi-Fi enable and the information transmits straight to the Doc. Would I even understand the readings? I will buy an SD card and find OSCAR and get back to you most likely this weekend. Thank you for the response!

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Sierra +0 points · over 1 year ago Sleep Patron

The AirSense 10 CPAP model does not record detailed data. The AirSense 10 Elite does record data. The AirSense 10 AutoSet does record detailed data, along with the For Her version. Just click on the OSCAR hot link above to go to the site where you can download OSCAR. If you do not have an SD card, you only require a 4 GB, but it will accept the full size SD HC card up to 32 GB I believe. The data that gets sent via WiFi is extremely limited. It is just summary data like hours of use, and AHI.. The data recorded on the SD card is much more detailed. I can help you understand what the data displayed in OSCAR means.

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ImAjay253 +0 points · over 1 year ago

Shoot, I believe I have the AirSense 10 Autoset. I'm at work but the images on google look like its the auto. Will I still be able to get the information? I know it has a SD card slot for sure.

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Sierra +0 points · over 1 year ago Sleep Patron

The model name should be on the lower right front. See this link. If it has a SD card slot on the left side behind that blue tab it should be capable of saving data. But, if there has been no card in there, your history to date will not be recorded. It will start saving data when you put a card in.

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