Still Sleepy

[JanetB]

Hi

Hoping you have some advice please. I took delivery of my CPAP in February. I have adjusted to using it really well. However, I am still so tired! When I went back for my check up they increased the pressure (for the second time). I am still waking up 4-5 times every night. I am also anaemic and have been on iron tablets for 2 months. Due to go for various blood tests in the next month to check my anaemia levels and whether there is anything else going on that could be causing my anaemia other than just lack of iron.

I have heard so many great reports of how I should be feeling like a new woman with lots of engery - but alas it has not happened yet. I have perservered with CPAP and not planning on stopping but I don't know what else to do to get a decent night's sleep. I have not yet once slept through the night without waking up.

Please any advice would be really welcome.

[Guest]

Hi

Hoping you have some advice please. I took delivery of my CPAP in February. I have adjusted to using it really well. However, I am still so tired! When I went back for my check up they increased the pressure (for the second time). I am still waking up 4-5 times every night. I am also anaemic and have been on iron tablets for 2 months. Due to go for various blood tests in the next month to check my anaemia levels and whether there is anything else going on that could be causing my anaemia other than just lack of iron.

I have heard so many great reports of how I should be feeling like a new woman with lots of engery - but alas it has not happened yet. I have perservered with CPAP and not planning on stopping but I don't know what else to do to get a decent night's sleep. I have not yet once slept through the night without waking up.

Please any advice would be really welcome.

Hi there

Everything you have mentioned here also applies to me although I don't wake up every night. Think it depends on whether my mask moves and I get a blast of air in my eyes or down my cheek or an ichy nose (always in the same place...very strange). I have had my CPAP for around 5 weeks now and have only had two nights without being disturbed. In some cases it's so bad I have to take the mask off to get some sleep. On one occassion I was so tired I struggled to carry out a days work, just couldn't concentrate on anything and was very close to tears. I hear what you say about many great reports of how we should be feeling like a new women with lots of energy but that's not been my experience either. I was told by the nurses that I stopped breathing 33 times in an hour so you'd think I'd see a massive improvement. I will persevere for the next 6 months to give it a good shot but if I don't feel any improvement then I'm going back to the hospital for a chat. The nurse did say that if it didn't work there are other things they can do but I don't know what they may be.

I'm also anaemic and have been on iron tablets for 4 months and that does make you feel shattered. So with a combination of lack of sleep and anaemia it's a wonder we are still walking and talking

Once you get your anaemia sorted hopefully that will make a big difference. This is the second time I have suffered with anaemia and my doc says it's just down to womens stuff if you catch my drift. Once they sorted me out the first time I did notice a big difference in energy levels so hopefully you will too.

You are not alone

Armageddon

[tonybrentwood]

Hi Folks,
I expected to leap out of bed doing cartwheels after a fantastic night's sleep after my first night of CPAP but I just felt sort of 'better' the first few days. I think the time scale for improvements must be different for different people. I've been cpapping (is that a proper word?) for around 20 days now, and the benefits have kicked in. I used to fall asleep at the drop of a hat but now although not fizzing with energy I'm not tired all the time. I even tried to have an afternoon nap the other day and could not drop off!
I have had a couple of nights where I wanted to rip the mask off, strangely when I get the claustrophobic feeling I find that turning on a fan straight at my face makes me feel better, then I can put the mask back on and sleep all night in a nice cool jet of air.
I guess you've got to keep at it and hope that one morning you'll wake up buzzing with energy. Even waking up tired I bet you're not having half the apneas during the night, so that's a breakthrough right there.
Good luck with it, I'll keep persevering if you do!
Best regards,
Tony

[Guest]

Hi Tony

You may not be doing cartwheels but it does sound like you are improving. I know what you mean about the claustrophobic feeling, I've suffered a little with that too and I normally don't have a problem with it. I got stuck in a lift at work a few weeks back for 40 mins and it didn't bother me at all although it was after finishing time so told the boss I was claiming overtime!! It must be something to do with my airway being covered. The first time I used the mask I had to remove it due to feeling unwell... think I was hyperventilating.

My poor hubby now feels tired in the morning and we think it's the fan waking him up during the night, he says it sounds like the washing machine Funny thing is my snoring didn't bother him at all.

One day I'll spring out of bed and wonder what's wrong with me. If it wasn't for the fact that it would affect my driving license I'd probably have given it up by now.

Anyway wish you all the best with your CPAP.

Armageddon

[JanetB]

Hi

Thanks for your message - it is great to know I am not alone. I am a single Mum so have no-one to share my concerns with so thanks again for replying. Unfortunately for me, I have no idea why I am waking up, the mask seems to fit fine, I don't get claustrophobic when wearing it so I am at a loss! I will keep perservering and am due for another check up at the clinic soon so hopefully we can get to the bottom of this.

Thanks, JanetB

[Guest]

Hi

Thanks for your message - it is great to know I am not alone. I am a single Mum so have no-one to share my concerns with so thanks again for replying. Unfortunately for me, I have no idea why I am waking up, the mask seems to fit fine, I don't get claustrophobic when wearing it so I am at a loss! I will keep perservering and am due for another check up at the clinic soon so hopefully we can get to the bottom of this.

Thanks, JanetB

Janet

Wish I could be of more help. I woke up last night about 5 times and I know it's just because my brain's not used to the idea of wearing a mask. At one point I had to work out how to turn my trunk (tube) round as it had worked its way round my head so I was practically lying on top of it. The previous night I slept all the way through the night without waking up so I'm beginning to wonder if the room temperature has something to do with it.

I know that my hospital is only a phone call away if I'm really struggling with the CPAP, they have been so supportive. Perhaps your hospital can help.

Armageddon

[Thrushwood]

Getting accustomed to wearing a CPAP mask takes time - a couple of months for me - but now I can manage eight hours just about every night. I find room temperature is a factor for sure and for me the cooler the better. However I think the main thing is the mask you use. I ended up with two different masks from the sleep clinic and although one is much more comfortable to wear I feel claustrophobic using it - like I'm not getting enough air from it. It may not help you but perhaps you should see about trying a different mask - and actually use it for at least a couple of nights for a fair trial.

Another important thing for me was fixing the hose so it goes up and over my head - otherwise it just gets in the way and disturbs my sleep. Use a large cable tie through the mask at forehead level and the hose stays above your head on the pillow out of the way.

The claims that you will feel much better when using CPAP don't hold true for me. My symptoms were snoring and regular morning headaches. The snoring has stopped but I still get headaches (rather tension neckaches) although not as severe as before.

Persevere and you will feel benefits.