Why am i still so tired???

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Punchyandtired
Posts: 125
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:12 pm

Re: Why am i still so tired???

Post by Punchyandtired » Tue Mar 03, 2015 4:53 pm

I actually just started gluten back after eliminating it for a year in hopes that was my problem, but I think I need to take it back out again. (Bloating, digestive upset-- mild). I feel better without it.

Other than the drugs I posted about above, I'm not on anything. I'm trying to get back on supplements my nutritionst prescribed, but that's inconsistent.

I slept really good last night at a pressure of 14 with lanisosh on my mask. I awoke 10 mins before my alarm and thought "o.k. I feel rested"... But then 3 hours later I felt worn out again.

Thanks for your input.
45 year old female
First AHI: 33.6 (including 2 desats less than 70%)
Pressure setting: min 13 max 20. 95% pressure has been around 15-16.
Trying to like the resmed p10 air pillows and headgear
Started therapy December 19, 2014

Guest1

Re: Why am i still so tired???

Post by Guest1 » Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:23 pm

Wulfman... wrote:Hard to tell whether your situation is from ineffective therapy or some other health issue.

If your pressure is bumping around much during the night (I realize you said it stays mostly at 13 cm.), you might try setting the pressure to a fixed (min and max the same setting) pressure of 13 and see if that makes any difference.
If you're having events that are bumping your pressures, it may be bumping you out of your needed sleep stage and into a lighter one.

I also agree with the idea of using a pulse-oximeter to test your blood oxygen.


Den

.
I second the idea of going to a straight pressure mode. Even if your AHI goes up to 1+ or 2+, don't worry. These pressure upticks of Respironics can cause microarousals and make you go from deeper sleep state to a shallower sleep state. Set your machine in APAP mode, set max=min=same pressure. Set Aflex to 3 and use these settings for 10 days at least. See how you feel.

My experience: I was on APAP 4-20 for a while. My AHI came down to less than 1 every day. I moved from 4-20 to 5-20 to 6 to 7 to 7.5. AHI was still below 1 every day but I wasn't feeling refreshed. I changed my machine to min=max=8 about 12 days ago. It seems like a fog is lifted and I feel fresh and awake
and excited waking up. And BTW, I wake up without an alarm now.

So try it.

N.octurary

Re: Why am i still so tired???

Post by N.octurary » Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:03 pm

My experience: I was on APAP 4-20 for a while. My AHI came down to less than 1 every day. I moved from 4-20 to 5-20 to 6 to 7 to 7.5. AHI was still below 1 every day but I wasn't feeling refreshed. I changed my machine to min=max=8 about 12 days ago. It seems like a fog is lifted and I feel fresh and awake
and excited waking up. And BTW, I wake up without an alarm now.
So you just set your machine to only go to 8? I'm willing to do anything now for relief; a year of feeling like total crap is enough.

Punchyandtired
Posts: 125
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:12 pm

Re: Why am i still so tired???

Post by Punchyandtired » Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:13 pm

Guest1 wrote:
Wulfman... wrote:Hard to tell whether your situation is from ineffective therapy or some other health issue.

If your pressure is bumping around much during the night (I realize you said it stays mostly at 13 cm.), you might try setting the pressure to a fixed (min and max the same setting) pressure of 13 and see if that makes any difference.
If you're having events that are bumping your pressures, it may be bumping you out of your needed sleep stage and into a lighter one.

I also agree with the idea of using a pulse-oximeter to test your blood oxygen.


Den

.
I second the idea of going to a straight pressure mode. Even if your AHI goes up to 1+ or 2+, don't worry. These pressure upticks of Respironics can cause microarousals and make you go from deeper sleep state to a shallower sleep state. Set your machine in APAP mode, set max=min=same pressure. Set Aflex to 3 and use these settings for 10 days at least. See how you feel.

My experience: I was on APAP 4-20 for a while. My AHI came down to less than 1 every day. I moved from 4-20 to 5-20 to 6 to 7 to 7.5. AHI was still below 1 every day but I wasn't feeling refreshed. I changed my machine to min=max=8 about 12 days ago. It seems like a fog is lifted and I feel fresh and awake
and excited waking up. And BTW, I wake up without an alarm now.

So try it.
Yes, this was what I was thinking after I get a feel for where my pressure should be. I think my pressure was 15 last night-- I had said 14. I'm keeping it on 15 tonight. Once I find the good pressure, I'm going to set straight cpap. I am waking up from deep sleeps and when I realize it's happening, I first think "awwwwww".

I'm feeling hopeful that I'm finding my solution.
45 year old female
First AHI: 33.6 (including 2 desats less than 70%)
Pressure setting: min 13 max 20. 95% pressure has been around 15-16.
Trying to like the resmed p10 air pillows and headgear
Started therapy December 19, 2014

Noctuary
Posts: 444
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2014 1:10 pm

Re: Why am i still so tired???

Post by Noctuary » Thu Mar 05, 2015 10:00 am

Some people just take to the therapy better than others. Everyone I know with apnea has it severe, yet all of them feel really good with their CPAP therapy. None of them use "SleepyHead" either. I was diagnosed with mild apnea, and while it is better now, much better with the CPAP, I'm still really tired most days. I hate thinking that I have to live this way the rest of my life. So sick of it.

_________________
Mask
My machine: ResMed S9 Auto/H5i humidifier; in APAP mode- pressure range 8-13

Mask: Flexifit 407

Punchyandtired
Posts: 125
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:12 pm

Re: Why am i still so tired???

Post by Punchyandtired » Sun Mar 08, 2015 12:33 pm

My AHI is going up now that I set it for straight CPAP at 15. Two nights ago, AHI was .91 and last night it was 1.2. I know these are both still o.k numbers, but since i had gotten the AHI down to the point 5s, I don't like this trend (? Two nights) upward.

Last night was my first night with the Cadience sleepweaver anew full face mask and I spent a lot of time trying to fix a slicing feeling under my nostrils/upper lip area. Sleepyhead said I had several large leaks last night. I didn't notice large leaks, but I did have to pull the mask off my face a few times to try and wiggle the mask and even sticking my fingers in it to try and tweak the fabric edges off of my lip.

Are the large leaks related to the increaded AHI?
45 year old female
First AHI: 33.6 (including 2 desats less than 70%)
Pressure setting: min 13 max 20. 95% pressure has been around 15-16.
Trying to like the resmed p10 air pillows and headgear
Started therapy December 19, 2014

User avatar
Julie
Posts: 19898
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: Why am i still so tired???

Post by Julie » Sun Mar 08, 2015 12:55 pm

They normally would be, of course, but you're fussing about miniscule differences and not enough to make any kind of long term difference. I think the mask probably just doesn't fit well, creating new leaks, and you'll have to sort that out.

Guest1

Re: Why am i still so tired???

Post by Guest1 » Sun Mar 08, 2015 3:40 pm

Punchyandtired wrote:My AHI is going up now that I set it for straight CPAP at 15. Two nights ago, AHI was .91 and last night it was 1.2. I know these are both still ok numbers, but since i had gotten the AHI down to the point 5s, I don't like this trend (? Two nights) upward.

Last night was my first night with the Cadience sleepweaver anew full face mask and I spent a lot of time trying to fix a slicing feeling under my nostrils/upper lip area. Sleepyhead said I had several large leaks last night. I didn't notice large leaks, but I did have to pull the mask off my face a few times to try and wiggle the mask and even sticking my fingers in it to try and tweak the fabric edges off of my lip.

Are the large leaks related to the increaded AHI?
AHI is just one part of the whole story. Once you have it under 3 consistently, it stops being the big variable in feeling rested. So don't beat yourself up if it has creeped up from 0.5 to 1.2.

RERAs are the next part of the story. That is why a lot of people with UARS with untreated AHI of less than 5, feel like crap and unrested during the day.

Stay the course with straight pressure. You will see the light in 10 days. If you still feel a bit unrested, move the pressure up by 0.5cm.

Think of this optimization as a multi week process but once everything is dialed in, you will soon see that CPAP will fade away as a worry and will just be a part of your regular life.

Punchyandtired
Posts: 125
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:12 pm

Re: Why am i still so tired???

Post by Punchyandtired » Mon Mar 09, 2015 2:33 pm

Thanks! Saw sleep doc today-- so now I have an insomnia diagnosis with the OSA one. Not uncommon.

He did say the OSA is treated and we have to work on the other sleep problems. He also said I appear to be a "long sleeper"...

I have a plan and I agree with it.

Thanks for the help!!! I really appreciate it.
45 year old female
First AHI: 33.6 (including 2 desats less than 70%)
Pressure setting: min 13 max 20. 95% pressure has been around 15-16.
Trying to like the resmed p10 air pillows and headgear
Started therapy December 19, 2014