Still tired

[mobrien]

OK I have only been using my CPAP for 3 months after the first week i felt like I was a new man, me and the baby alien got on great we became best pals real quick, but now I feel almost as tired (not quite) as I was before CPAP treatment started.

Anyone else had the same sort of experience if so how did you fix it

[ElleCee]

Best way is to get another sleep test, your pressure may need boosting.

Good luck
Lorraine

[mintra]

Variable world

I am just reaching two years, install transformed from zombie to amazing new world, more recently I just get used to the new world, especially if I am used to the mask.

Truth is reality is relative and it is the changes that you notice.

Go for a night without the mask, you will see what I mean, just don't drive the next day.

I only go without if I have a cold or toothache.

Early on I got obsessive about tweeking the machine, If I set it to apap it was better than cpap. Then if a couple of months later I set it to cpap it was better.

Then I increased the pressure by a notch and I was better.

Then I started to think it was all in the mind.

Try going to bed earlier.

[Solphist]

I'm similar but shorter timescale...

First two weeks it was great, no headaches/migraines feel great, then I started getting headaches again and then when I got a migraine (triggered by CO2 retention) I went in again, you get retention headaches in the morning and they mostly last all day, but that's what pain killers and caffiene are for

In the hospital, they didn't seem concerned told me not to worry, and that once per month is acceptable, it used to be 3 per week. Maybe speaking medically that's ok, but me, I'd prefer no migraines

So hating the thought of another migraine, I bought an alarmed pulse oximeter (£200) on the off chance it might help to prevent me from having a headache by waking me up once I'd figured out what a suitable baseline was for me...

So the first couple of days no alarm and just recorded it. The first day it sat between 95-88%. I didn't think much of this at the time...
Day two is in another thread were my SPO2 drops to as low as 75%, I asked the question on this forum should I do something about this, it came back yes. Myy appointment is on Monday...

While waiting I started sleeping at 30%...
My levels are now 95-99%, I feel great. (From 95%-88% or if rough night 75%)

So I'd try sleeping at 20-30 degrees, if it makes a difference to how you feel , then maybe your like me and the CPAP machine isn't splinting your airway all the time, it's kinda wokring on alternate days just not all the time...

Is it possibly the case that sleeping at 30 degrees is much the same as upping the pressure? I'd imagine it is but I'm no expert just a clueless now slightly elevated noobie

[icerink]

Similar problem...

Hi,

I've been using my machine for around 4 months now. Felt wonderful at first, but then started getting tired again, told the technicians at the sleep clinic and they just weren't interested. Eventually had another oximeter test and it said that my levels were fine. That's great, but the point is I don't feel tired EVERY day, I'm worried that I simply had a 'good' night when they re-tested me.

Don't know what to do or how to get them to listen to me. My doctor is useless because my sleep apnea went undiagnosed for years and I was constantly telling him that I was waking up tired, but he didn't seem to care. The only reason I got diagnosed in the first place was because i'm having Bariatric surgery.

I'm pretty sure my mask isn't leaking and my CPAP machine is set to 12, which i'm told should be ok for me...

Not really sure what else to try?!?!?

Forgot to mention I'm also now suffering with this horrible sinus pressure type thingy at the back of my throat? Not sure what this means either?

[shuckie]

Hi incabink!

Hello and welcome to the forums!

Are you able to access all the information on your CPAP, including details of any leakage while you're asleep? If not it might be worth making another appointment at your clinic, making a nuisance of yourself if necessary and insisting that a technician reviews your statistics while you wait.

If the statistics are inconclusive, the technicians refuse to co-operate or you don't want to go down that route, you may want to consider having a private assessment through Intus who run this site. They have various levels of tests available and can run a test over two nights if you want to be sure that a "good" night doesn't throw them off the scent. If the test(s) confirm that there is a problem which can be resolved, you should be able to go back to your GP surgery (see a different GP if necessary) and/or your consultant with the evidence and insist they do something about it!

It's your health we're talking about at the end of the day. Don't let people fob you off about it if you're certain there is an issue.

Best of luck getting this situation resolved, please keep us updated.


Regards

shuckie

[Solphist]

From my experience my o2 stats do not drop every night.

I bought a pulse oximeter (200 quid model was cms 60 I think) and initially had varying results, some days everything looked fine above 90%, but on others it was spiking below below 75% and these spikes corresponded to my morning migraines (A Classic Co2 retention sign) and of course feeling like I'd run 26 miles in my sleep.

This was with the cpap on, so it wasn't always stopping my migraines.

I now have the pulse oximeter set to go off at 90% and it's not went off for ages... I've not had a migraine for ages either, this was accomplished by using the CPAP and also sleeping at an angle 15-20 degrees(10 didn't work I have printouts ). (But apparently although it works for some forms of sleep apnea, it doesn't for others and therefore they don't inform you to try it, at least that was the reason I was given when I went in with my printouts and saying ummm why didn't someone tell me to try sleeping at an angle). This combination of angle and CPAP for me is the difference between a good night and a bad one but may not work for the apnea you have, but it's worth a try.

I'd try sleeping at an incline around 20 degrees to see if it helps at all, but still badger the clinic for an appointment as you suspect that you're not getting a good nights sleep.

As for the throat nasal thing, sorry I've not really any clue, does your CPAP have a humidifier? If not ask for one as dryness is a farily common issue, but definitely complain to the Doctor/Clinic as I doubt it's normal.

I complained a lot at the start, so much so, the technican took a dislike to me, but I just kept on complaining politely, I think that's the key polite but firm, no temper lost and certainly not calling the GP an idiot, I did that at home to myself, I often had a good rant about that

Solphist.

[Tigers Fan]

Angle of dangle

Hi solphist

You sleep at an angle - OK - but an angle to what? Across the bed wouldn't make a difference - unless you share it, anyway. So I fugure you mean angle of inclination - and that begets another question. Head up or head down?

An another - do you acheive this with books/blocks under one end of the bed or do you use a motorised bed?

You have opened a door in my thinking - anything for improved sleep!!!

Can we remember being young and having the ability to sleep anywhere, instantly - and awake refreshedafter an hour?????

TF (yes - a crap night last night, b****y humidity!)

[Solphist]

Yes positive inclination. Head and sholders raised up high.

I use a couple of light duvets and a horde of pillows 4 of them

It kinda looks like a craftmatic bed but of duvets and pillows, nice and comfy

[Tigers Fan]

I remember when .....

Hi solphist

A ship at sea is trimmed a few degrees by the stern. Seamen sleep with their heads forward (sleep with your feet forward and you go down the gangway the same way).

I well remember how well I slept at sea. So, what is different to now?

Was it due to -

a. sleeping with my head higher than my feet (except for during heavy pitching).
b. the blood alcohol level being higher in my head than in my feet
or
c. being as young then as I am in my head now.

Your data suggests answer a. I believe I agree with you!

TF

[Richard]

However much I would like to try, I cannot sleep lying flat, particularly with the vent and mask.

I recommend you go on ebay and log in 'bed back-rest'; you will find the answer there. You can pay anything between a tenner and fifty quid, they all do the same job. Find the angle that suits you best and you're assured of a good night's sleep.

Cheers!

Richard

[Tigers Fan]

Thanks, Richard! One on it's way!