Still sleepy using cpap

I've been using my cpap every night for months and still feel sleepy and fatigued all day. I'm pretty frustrated at this point as I was hoping it would help. I feel like giving up, it's no fun being hooked up to a machine with a mask on my face all night, for nothing. I know my mask fits and is not leaking and my pressure is set correctly. Any ideas? Anyone else have this problem?

I too wear my mask every night for 5yrs now and can see no change in my daily activities. My sleep test however did show I stopped breathing 88 times per hour. I complain to my wife every night but hook up and go to bed. I will wear it because I am afraid I might not wake up. I know of someone that happened to. Just except it and be thankful it was discovered. Hang in there you are not alone.

Ken

Interestingly enough, I was tired a lot too even tho I faithfully used my cpap. It was not until I had my doctor switch me from a beta blocker to a regular blood pressure medicine, that my body feels great. However, I have seen an increase of morning migraines.

could medicine be causing your fatigue?

Hi Pickle. I'm happy to read that you are being treated for your sleep apnea and have been persistent. Has your doctor looked at your compliance data to make sure you are appropriately treated and that your machine and/or mask do not need any adjustment? A download of your machine should provide helpful information about your current AHI, mask leak and hours of usage. Medications can contribute to fatigue, so that might also be a good conversation to have with your doctor if you haven't already. While there are a lot of patients who do have that refreshed feeling after CPAP treatment, there are patients--even those who are not on a lot of medications--that do not have that experience. Some patients report that it takes weeks or months before they start to feel like they have more energy or feel refreshed. The most important thing is to make sure your treatment is working for you and to continue to be persistent. I hope you start to feel more refreshed and energetic!

Hi Pickle. I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time getting scheduled to see a sleep physician. I'm not sure what area of the country you are in. If it was in a post, I did not see it. I also hope you do prove your cardiologist wrong! Let me now if you feel we can help provide resources that might be helpful in locating a sleep physician. Some are easier located by contacting sleep labs and asking for the sleep clinic or the sleep physician's phone number. You might have already checked this resource, but this link will provide AASM-accredited facilities: http://sleepeducation.org/find-a-facility. Not all physicians practice in these facilities, as there are other accrediting agencies, but this might be helpful.

Hi Pickle. Unfortunately, many people have sleep apnea. Some studies estimate that between 17% and 26% of adults have sleep apnea, and between 1 and 4% of children have sleep apnea. The National Sleep Foundation reports on their website that more than 18 million adults have sleep apnea (http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems/sleep-apnea). I checked in with one of the clinics here in Boston today, and they are also booked until late November. You are not alone! I hope you start to feel better, and good luck with your appointments. Have you asked about being put on a waiting list in the event a patient cancels? I'm not sure if that is a possibility for you, but clinics here often maintain wait lists. -Dan

Hi Pickle. I wear nasal pillows and do not have much mask leak. A mask should never cause sores. Has your home care provider tried fitting you with other full face mask options? Some of the newer options are soft and sit lower on the nose and have less hard plastic beneath the seal. I've never heard of the "pig nose" you mention, but if you are able to wear it through the night and not have it cut into your nose, that is great improvement. You might also try moleskin or other types of mask liners/pads that fit between the mask and the face. They can sometimes increase comfort and help reduce leaks.

I just call it a "pig nose" thats the way it looks when on. I have a round, full face with a small nose bridge and a full beard, thats why I had to crank the mask tight. I'm on blood thinners so any cut bleeds heavy, I would wake up with blood all over my face.This new mask has small holes in it right over where the air comes in, air goes out and a big rate, the provider said thats the way it works. Thats why I need a specialist to ask questions, the provider can just sell me anything and tell me its right

I am still tired all the time and I have been APAP since April 2013. I have Fibromyalgia and have been told I have CFS. Due to pain I don't sleep well. I am still snoring some nights it over 20 episodes a night. My sleep unit not concerned about the snoring. Currently I am using C-Flex since 15 June and my AHI is around 1.0 - 3.5 per night. Dee

DAN, what the heck is a nasal pillow?????

Hi Dee. Dealing with fatigue can be very difficult, and your diagnoses can definitely contribute to your sleep problems. Based on the AHI numbers in your post, your sleep apnea seems to be controlled. Do you find that C-Flex is helpful? While APAP usually helps eliminate or control snoring, there are some users who still snore even while on treatment from time to time. APAP starts at a low pressure adjusts to eliminate your respiratory events. Is it possible that snoring is happening at the lower pressure levels and then resolving as the pressure increases? If you feel comfortable sharing with others in the forum who might also have Fibromyalgia, have you found ways that at least help manage your pain? Thanks.

Hi Pickle. I would really like to know the name of the mask you are wearing if you can find out. A nasal pillow system is a mask type with small pillows that fit just inside the nose and have headgear that hold them in place. If you do an internet search for cpap nasal pillows, you should be able to see pictures. Nasal pillows are a good option for people who breathe primarily through their nose, or for people who can control mild mouth breathing with a chin strap.

DAN, I wear a chin strap now and it says on the bag the mask is made by PHILIPS RESPIRONICS and is an AMARA VIEW fit pack. It says it is minimal contact full face mask. When on, I still think I look like an "elephant with trunk" or have "pig nose"

I still had a problem with snoring when I was just on APAP. I'll try to increase the pressure to see if that helps. Currently it is set up for minimum 7.5 - maximum 20. I'll increase it by .5 each week and see what happens. Dee

My machine is set on 17, lots of pressure, but I still occasionally open my mouth at night. Wake up with a bad case of the "DRIES" My apnea was diagnosed as severe, and in my study 17 was the right setting