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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.
Hi DeDe - I'm in the same boat. Six weeks into cpap therapy I am just exhausted, While I may have woken up tired before, I still got through the day. Now, I find myself canceling morning appointments because I am just too tired, sleeping in the afternoons and making careless mistakes. While my numbers are good, I fear that I have just traded one problem for another...apnea for sleep fragmentation. Whether the result of apnea, a crying baby or a stressful event, sleep deprivation creates safety issues. I suspect that my sleep deprivation is the result of swiping at the mask (nasal pillows) all night. I also suspect that my inconsistent 'seal' numbers prove the point. I am so hoping that someone has answers for us. Sadly, I fear that I was better off before. Thanks for listening.
Thank you for your input. I am now at the four week mark and the fatigue is crushing. My pulmonologist just keeps telling me to give it time. I am also having a problem with sneezing and watery eyes/nose. I was attributing it to allergies though I have never had seasonal allergies before. Online posts suggest that it may be linked to cpap usage. Sadly, I feel worse now than I did before I began the therapy.
Thanks, Greg....I am going to give it a try for a full month too.
Ditto! Began apap therapy on 4/3/18. AHI was 20.4 but I was sleeping through the incidents...waking up tired but getting through the day. With therapy, max AHI has been 2.9 but I have never experienced such fatigue. I suspect that that the changes in air pressure throughout the night are proving to be more disruptive than the incidents themselves. Advice anyone? Thanks.
