Increased fatigue may not just be your apnea acting up

Here I was, in a panic mode, trying to find out why my sleep was so bad...not restorative at all! I tried different masks, pressures, switched between two machines...trying to find an answer. I had been doing great with increasing my daily walk distance. I had gotten up to two 1 mile walks a day...then I struggled and struggled. The final straw was when I practically fell asleep while walking. That was scary.

I live in a small town and got away with what I did next. I went to our Emergency Room and presented myself saying: “I do not know what is wrong. I do not know which way to turn...please help me." They did basic tests and one was a urinalysis. Well, I had a UTI or urinary tract infection, BUT without any symptoms! I figure had this infection in my system for at least 4-6 weeks. It can be a dangerous infection if not caught...leading to kidney infections and more.

I was so sure I was doing something wrong with my sleep routine...I tried to keep up with my walking...all failed.

This is just a message to share with you...IF ALL THAT YOU NORMALLY DO IS NOT WORKING...DO NOT HESITATE TO LOOK ELSEWHERE!

@barbz

This could possibly be the best advice I have seen! You are so right. Never give up looking for the culprit! Thanks for sharing.

Hi Barbz,

You are sending an important message: poor sleep can result from any number of problems--although we first think of a poor mask or suboptimal PAP pressure in a patient wearing CPAP, it is always important to understand that any physiological, social or environmental factor that interferes with your ability to sleep soundly for 7 to 8 hours per night (average need for most adults) can impact your alertness. Hope you are feeling better now!

Update: I always knew my sinuses did not like CPAP! Constant sinus issues occurred no matter what mask I used. Well, there is one mask, that by-passes the sinuses, called the Oracle. I call it the 'Monster Mask' as it is not the easiest to get used to. I had tried it once and did not do very well.

This summer after the above fatigue from the UTI, that fatigue settled back in. My urine test was clear...so...now what? OK, Barb...dig that mask out! This bout of fatigue, along with the confusion, balance and dizziness disappeared within days! I can once again think, concentrate and even mow the grass!

Just don't give up...keep at it. While I never had that miraculous reaction when I started CPAP, my life has been so much better. My options of not persisting are scary. At 71 years...I still have things I want to do.