Still Tired After 6 Mos of CPAP

Hi Everyone,
I've been using CPAP for about 6 months now and while I am not as miserable as I was before starting, I still feel very tired every day despite feeling like I am sleeping through the night. I've tweaked the minimum pressure setting a few different times to see if that would help, but that didn't seem to work. Wondering if anyone can offer suggestions based on recent data:

https://imgur.com/a/vtmO63n

Thanks

What does your flow limitation graph look like for the above night?

Do you take any medications of any kind and if so what?

Any other physical or mental health issues going on?

Residual sleepiness is a known issue. Despite nearly instant improvement, I was still lethargic for a long time. I was taking Modafinil for a while, but I decided to stop.

What you need to ask yourself is whether you really feel as lousy as before, or are you noticing gradual improvements?

Jack Straw wrote:Still Tired After 6 Mos of CPAP . . . I've been using CPAP for about 6 months now and while I am not as miserable as I was before starting, I still feel very tired every day despite feeling like I am sleeping through the night. . . .

In harmony with Pugsy's insightful questions:

As a very broad, general rule, PAP is prescribed to get sleepiness fixed to the extent possible so that then any causes of tiredness (medical, physical, emotional, etc) beyond sleep-breathing can be addressed by you, and hopefully solved, with more clarity.

If you have not seen your doctor since starting, it might be a good idea. Sometimes med dosages may need to be adjusted

D.H. wrote: ↑

Thu May 17, 2018 12:44 pm

Residual sleepiness is a known issue. Despite nearly instant improvement, I was still lethargic for a long time. I was taking Modafinil for a while, but I decided to stop.

What you need to ask yourself is whether you really feel as lousy as before, or are you noticing gradual improvements?

Here again..you did not read (or understand) the post. The OP said "while I am not as miserable as I was before starting"

Some people are disturbed by pressure fluctuations. For that reason they switch to cpap. I suggest setting the range very small (like cpap) at a pressure close to where your maximum need is to see if avoiding pressure swings helps your sleep.

TedVPAP wrote: ↑

Thu May 17, 2018 10:08 pm

Some people are disturbed by pressure fluctuations. For that reason they switch to cpap. I suggest setting the range very small (like cpap) at a pressure close to where your maximum need is to see if avoiding pressure swings helps your sleep.

If this is an issue you do not need to get a new machine! You can use your APAP (or BiPAP) as fixed CPAP. The machine still has the capability, it's merely suppressed.

Thanks for the replies.
I'm not on any meds, and I would actually say if anything, things have gotten worse rather than better.
I think it may be worth checking back in with my sleep specialist to see if they can recommend anything.

Pugsy, I believe you asked about Flow Limitation graph; Here it is:

https://imgur.com/rPWlNqM

To the "casual observer," your data looks good.

Perhaps it is time to focus on other areas of your life. Cross sleeping problems off of the list and it is time to look at and deal with the next item.

+1 on Hosecrushers reply. Looks pretty much like you are not getting particularly disturbed. There is a possibility of UARS based on your flow limitations, slightly more pressure may help but UARS diagnosis and treatment is tricky and not subject to agreement among experts, much less internet pros.

Data looks good. There are a lot of causes of fatigue not just sleep apnea. Have you tried vitamins? Are you getting enough sun exposure for vitamin D? Try vitamin B12?
If those don't help then going back to Dr would probably be a good idea.