Still feeling exhausted after months of CPAP use

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.

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.

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

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.

Ordering one today. Thank you.

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.

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.