While I was tired before, the fatigue is now crushing.

Hello. I began cpap therapy on 4/3/18 and have tried three different sleep masks. While I was tired before, the fatigue is now crushing. I suspect that the therapy itself is causing sleep-fragmentation more severe than the apnea ever did. My pulmonologist is recommending another sleep study to identify what is truly happening at night. I do not believe that another study will accomplish that goal. A night spent attached to electrodes and under the watchful eye of a camera is hardly representative of a typical night’s sleep. Overall, therapy has worsened my quality of life and I am concerned that the pronounced sleep deprivation is putting me at risk for other health issues. A dental appliance could be the next step but severe TMJ keeps me from pursuing that path. I regret ever having pursued a solution for my apnea but now feel trapped. Once apnea has been documented, treatment must also be documented or insurability issues emerge (life, health, auto). I’d appreciate hearing from others who may have felt trapped and learning how they found a way forward. Thank you.

Think perhaps you had best listen to your medical professionals. A sleep study isn't fun but is necessary to get at the root cause of your problem. I hope this pulmonologist is a certified sleep doc but I do think that a medical opinion you paid for (your insurance paid for) is likely worth looking at.

A sleep study is about what your body is doing physically when you are asleep, not whether you feel like you slept well or not. Or, to put it another way, it's not about how hard it is for you to fall asleep or stay asleep, but it is about what your body does once you are asleep. Despite the unusual environment, you generally still breathe the same. It is likely the best shot of getting to the bottom of your difficulties.