when you hit rock bottom, symptoms?

Hang in there! I don't know much about the depression, but the flu-like symptoms you describe can be caused by mouth breathing. If I'm stuffed up and don't wear my ffm I feel like crap in the morning, even if I get a full night's sleep. My wife tells me when I snore, and it's invariably these days. If you are wearing a nasal mask you might want to consider a chin strap or a ffm. I know from my own experience with this condition how rotten I felt before and even a ways into cpap. But, as we all can attest to here, it is worth the struggle.

Battlin and Zees,

The things you describe are VERY familiar to me. So far I've had limited success with the CPAP machine. In the beginning I had sinus problems that prevented me from getting two to three hours of sleep with the machine. I felt lousy and was dizzy the first few times I used it, but it improved.

Lately I had nasal somnoplasty to help open my sinus and started using a neti pot. This has helped me use the machine longer. Guess what exactly the same thing happened. I felt dizzy and lousy.

I've also noticed that sometimes (not always) when I feel this way I'm running a fever. I don't believe I have any kind of virus. I figure this might be a positive sign. Maybe my metabolism is picking up and my body hasn't had time to adjust so I get too hot. I have some understanding of the thyroid system and this might make some sense. The thyroid can take days and maybe weeks to adjust your level of thyroid hormone down if it's too high.

That's my 2 cents. For what it's worth, we're in the same boat.

I noticed, over about a 3 year period, that gradually I was tired all the time. It got to the point that I could barely stay awake at work, I was drifting off while driving, etc. I didn't know what sleep apnea was. My wife noticed that I stopped breathing while sleeping, etc. I was also getting home and pretty much dozing/napping until it was time for bed - I was exhausted. Anyway, my wife talked to someone who happens to have OSA, told him about what was going on with me, and he explained OSA to her. My wife then basically forced me to go to the doctor (we have the same doctor and she had prepped the doctor before I got there) who refered me to ENT, and so on.

I've only used my APAP for one night. That night went well - I had trouble sleeping because of the mask but I didn't get up to go to the bathroom (I have been getting up 4 or so times a night), I woke up feeling good, was alert at work without getting sleepy at all, and didn't have to take a nap. I hope this is a sign of things to come.

Scott

The suggestions on checking for depression is wise.

I certainly can't judge on that score. But part of me hopes that you don't take drugs during this early phase of OSA treatment, if at all possible (except for immediate physical problems like high blood pressure, etc.). Certainly have it looked in to. But being new to the treatment and having had OSA so long without realizing it, your body needs adjusting. And while your body is adjusting, I think it's important that you focus your attention, as much as possible, on noticing how your body reacts to treatment during this time. That journal idea sounds great. Keep noticing the changes in your sleep patterns, changes in your health, even non-changes. I worry that the addition of drugs may not only mask conditions but also make you less aware of what's happening to your body. I'd say give the treatment a chance, see if this isolates the main problems of your health. See if there's any steady improvement. Then if there's none, after a few months, consider depression and its medication, under a doctor's care.

I've noticed big changes since starting treatment a few short months ago, but there are some problems adjusting to the treatment and I've a long way to go still. But also, I noticed that since starting treatment, my emotions are suddenly all over the map.

Before diagnosis, I was in that brain fog, and emotions seemed non-existant or dulled from my suffering from exhaustion. After starting treatment, the fog started to lift, gradually. But emotions? Wow. At first I thought it was just due to dealing with the shock of OSA treatment and recovery. But now I'm thinking that the emotional rollercoaster may also be a form of adjustment back into a more normal or regular world of health. Not certain. But it might be something to think about. Jounal seems like a good idea, as well as seeing a counselor. But I caution using more drugs while going through these first changes.

My opinion, for what it's worth.

thanks again to all, for now I think I will keep plugging away with this machine, last night was three in a row that I can really say I slept. wooohoo so it is early I guess I was hoping to see some kind of relief instantly. but as I`ve heard over and over I didnt get this way overnight so i guess i`m not going to get better overnight! as much as I`d like to! I have a full week of cpaping before I go back to my Dr. so we`ll see maybe next week at this time something will have eased? The biggest thing I wanted to hear was that others with the same symptoms were getiing the same treatment, I hear alot of people say they were tired all the time, falling asleep at work etc. but I havent heard many say the other symptoms dizzy, vision problems etc. so as Ive been fighting with this for a few years, I guess I wanted to make sure this time we had it right! and it sounds like they might. thanks again all for the help and support!!!