Two steps forward, one step back??

Hi everyone,

I am new here. I went in for a sleep study about six months ago because I was experiencing blurred vision, impaired cognitive function, and significant daytime fatigue. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, and given a CPAP device.

I started with a nasal pillow mask, but that just didn't work for me at all. I am a mouth breather and I have a deviated septum, so it was not effective. I don't think I ever slept with that thing on my face. Finally, about 2.5 months ago, I was given a full face mask, and I have been sleeping with it on every night since then. I'm not totally comfortable with it yet; I find myself taking it off in the middle of the night quite frequently, but overall I am fairly compliant, and most nights I have it on for at least 4-5 hours.

When I first started using the mask, I was amazed. I could feel the difference almost immediately. My vision was less blurry and my confusion and daytime fatigue were also significantly improved. Things weren't perfect by any means, but the difference was noticeable.

Now, two or three months down the line, I am starting to feel some of the old symptoms. I am more tired that I was a few weeks ago and I am starting to experience some of that confusion/brain fog. It isn't as bad as it was prior to starting the mask, but certainly not as good as it was when I first started.

Does this make sense? Has anyone else here experienced this sort of backslide? Is there something that I should do, or is this a typical type of scenario for us sleep apnea sufferers and I should just work my way through it.

Thank you in advance.

vit-d wrote:about 2.5 months ago, I was given a full face mask, and I have been sleeping with it on every night since then. I'm not totally comfortable with it yet; I find myself taking it off in the middle of the night quite frequently, but overall I am fairly compliant, and most nights I have it on for at least 4-5 hours.

When I first started using the mask, I was amazed. I could feel the difference almost immediately. My vision was less blurry and my confusion and daytime fatigue were also significantly improved. Things weren't perfect by any means, but the difference was noticeable.

Now, two or three months down the line, I am starting to feel some of the old symptoms. I am more tired that I was a few weeks ago and I am starting to experience some of that confusion/brain fog. It isn't as bad as it was prior to starting the mask, but certainly not as good as it was when I first started.

Questions:

What kind of machine are you using? Does it record full efficacy data? If so, have you or your sleep doc looked at allt he data?

Without knowing more about your equipment and any data that it records, it's hard to say anything specific.

Also, you say you are sleeping 4-5 hours per night with the mask. Are you also sometimes sleeping without the mask on for part of the night? If so, that might explain the return of the symptoms.

vit-d wrote: Finally, about 2.5 months ago, I was given a full face mask, and I have been sleeping with it on every night since then. I'm not totally comfortable with it yet; I find myself taking it off in the middle of the night quite frequently, but overall I am fairly compliant, and most nights I have it on for at least 4-5 hours.

I think you've answered your own question about why you seem to be going backwards. Some good sleep is better than none, so you experienced improvement, but to take it to the next level you have to step up your game. Figure out why you are taking the mask off. If it is uncomfortable, resolve the issues. People here can give you tips if they know what mask you are using. If your treatment is not therapeutic and results in feeling the need to take the mask off to breathe, people here can help you sort through that. Bottom line is you cannot reasonably expect to feel your personal best (as far as sleep apnea is concerned) at your current level of involvement.

Thanks for the input guys, and I do totally agree that I need to work at having my mask on all night. I'm waking up with it on the ground, and I have no memory of taking it off. The last few days have been better, so it is a slowly but surely type of thing I think.

The part that is confusing me is that I don't feel like my CPAP compliance is any worse now than it was when I first got the mask, but I am starting to feel more tired again. Is this unusual or just a part of the process?

It depends on what goes on overnight... have you downloaded Sleepyhead to track that? Without anything much to go on, it's hard to comment. What machine are you using (full name and model), and what mask? What are your pressures set at?

I have not downloaded sleepyhead. I don't know anything about it, but maybe I will look in to that.

I will say that I use the resmed airsense 10 with a resmed quattro mask.

vit-d wrote:I have not downloaded sleepyhead. I don't know anything about it, but maybe I will look in to that.

I will say that I use the resmed airsense 10 with a resmed quattro mask.

Which Resmed Airsense 10 are you using? There are several models and we need to know which one you are using.

Here's a run down on the various Airsense 10 models:

AirSense 10 CPAP: This is a straight pressure CPAP machine that records partial efficacy data. SleepyHead does not work (or does not work well) with this model because it does not record all of the detailed data that SH uses.

AirSense 10 Elite CPAP: This is a straight pressure CPAP machine that records full efficacy data. SleepyHead works well with this model.

AirSense 10 AutoSet CPAP: This is an auto adjusting (APAP) machine that records full efficacy data. SleepyHead works well with this model.

AirSense 10 AutoSet for HER CPAp: This is an auto adjusting (APAP) with two different Auto algorithms; it records full efficacy data and SleepyHead works well with this model.

vit-d wrote:I'm waking up with it on the ground, and I have no memory of taking it off.

Try a piece of tape or a bandaid across the strap of the the headgear on the cheek. The idea is to cause enough pain to wake you so you become aware of what you're doing and stop. In my early use I removed my mask in my sleep quite a few times. Once all the new sensations became familiar and my treatment was optimized I stopped taking it off. Make sure through your data you're not having treatment problems before removing the mask. If treatment is ok, the behavior will likely stop soon on its own. But you'll be surprised how quickly your brain will learn that removing it hurts. Bandaids were my preferred choice.