What do you do when you are tired at work?

I use my APAP machine every single day. But when I sleep about 7 hours or less I usually feel tired all day at work. Coworkers think I am lazy, but I am just tired. I usually go to the sink in the bathroom and wash my face and hair. It only gives me about 20 minutes of a little energy. I also eat lots of chocolates and drink a soda for a boost of energy. But it doesn't last long either. My AHI is usually under 2. The reason I sleep 7 hours or less is because sometimes I have trouble falling asleep.

I would love to hear some of things people on this forum do, so I can do them too. I don't want any Provigil medication. I want to try something natural.

My doc told me 7/12 is what you need no more no less and I think its BS
If I get 7 Im tired!

I literally had to get off a highway and get a hotel in Feb on a road trip due to fatigue from 7 (or a poorly performing cpap)

Hydration helped
Energy drinks like monster (watch the caffiene) helped
If able power snooze helped

king_alvaro wrote:I use my APAP machine every single day. But when I sleep about 7 hours or less I usually feel tired all day at work. Coworkers think I am lazy, but I am just tired. I usually go to the sink in the bathroom and wash my face and hair. It only gives me about 20 minutes of a little energy. I also eat lots of chocolates and drink a soda for a boost of energy. But it doesn't last long either. My AHI is usually under 2. The reason I sleep 7 hours or less is because sometimes I have trouble falling asleep.

I would love to hear some of things people on this forum do, so I can do them too. I don't want any Provigil medication. I want to try something natural.

Im the same way, I need more than 7 hours on my machine to really feel passable. Maybe you need a higher minimum pressure?

Some people deal with residual excessive daytime sleepiness by taking FDA approved sleep apnea stimulants (Provigil). Personally I think there is nothing wrong with that. Caffeine is a strong stimulant, but you can only drink so much of it. Provigil is more potent and if your pressures are OK, it might be a way to handle residual daytime fatigue. It is not a crutch, you are using the prescribed medication to treat a bona fide medical condition.

We are all different. Some folks can get by with 6 hours of sleep, and some may need more. Being sensitive to your body and health will help you determine what is best for you. If I get less than 6 1/2 hours, I'll feel it during the day. If I get more than 8 hours, I am wasting my time. Prior to cpap therapy, if I dosed off at my desk and was awaken... I would raise my head and say, "In Jesus name I pray"...

Sheriff

king_alvaro wrote: I also eat lots of chocolates and drink a soda for a boost of energy. But it doesn't last long either. My AHI is usually under 2. The reason I sleep 7 hours or less is because sometimes I have trouble falling asleep.

I have read here many times that CPAPers should take all caffeine out of their diet. It stays in your body much longer than you would think - up to 24 hours.

I took the advice and won't even eat chocolate. After some short adjustment period it has made a very good difference to me.

You also need to think about the large amount of sugar you are getting with those sodas. You are driving up your blood sugar levels to get a boost in energy. Then the pancreas overproduces insulin to consume the sugar and subsequently your blood sugar crashes and then you slump even worse than before.

You rightly want to do something natural - cut out all caffeine and most sugar!

The Choker wrote:

king_alvaro wrote: I also eat lots of chocolates and drink a soda for a boost of energy. But it doesn't last long either. My AHI is usually under 2. The reason I sleep 7 hours or less is because sometimes I have trouble falling asleep.

I have read here many times that CPAPers should take all caffeine out of their diet. It stays in your body much longer than you would think - up to 24 hours.

I took the advice and won't even eat chocolate. After some short adjustment period it has made a very good difference to me.

You also need to think about the large amount of sugar you are getting with those sodas. You are driving up your blood sugar levels to get a boost in energy. Then the pancreas overproduces insulin to consume the sugar and subsequently your blood sugar crashes and then you slump even worse than before.

You rightly want to do something natural - cut out all caffeine and most sugar!

Definitely agree on the dietary issues. You're not doing yourself any favors by loading up on sugar and caffeine. For longer lasting energy, I've found that small snacks that include some protein to be the best way to go. Another option, if allowed, is to take a short 5-10 minute stroll around your work area. I find that moving around a bit every few hours (or even every hour) helps a lot with fatigue issues.

Sugar and simple starches metabolize quickly to give you an quick, SHORT energy surge, but then you crash.
This sounds like what is happening.
Protein and fat metabolize more slowly, giving you longer-lasting energy.
Cheese, hard-cooked eggs, and jerky will keep you going a lot longer than any candy, pastry or "energy" drink.

king_alvaro wrote:I use my APAP machine every single day. But when I sleep about 7 hours or less I usually feel tired all day at work. Coworkers think I am lazy, but I am just tired. I usually go to the sink in the bathroom and wash my face and hair. It only gives me about 20 minutes of a little energy. I also eat lots of chocolates and drink a soda for a boost of energy. But it doesn't last long either. My AHI is usually under 2. The reason I sleep 7 hours or less is because sometimes I have trouble falling asleep.

I would love to hear some of things people on this forum do, so I can do them too. I don't want any Provigil medication. I want to try something natural.

I'm still working thru CPAP adjustment issues.. so I'm tired a lot at work. This isn't natural-- per se... but I'm a huge fan of 5-hour energy. I get the caffiene (and don't feel jittery) without having to drink a lot of soda. I also try to drink a lot of water. Wearing headphones with music helps me, too, to focus.

fumbling34 wrote: I'm still working thru CPAP adjustment issues.. so I'm tired a lot at work. This isn't natural-- per se... but I'm a huge fan of 5-hour energy. I get the caffiene (and don't feel jittery) without having to drink a lot of soda. I also try to drink a lot of water. Wearing headphones with music helps me, too, to focus.

Try sipping the 5-hour energy and holding it under your tongue for 30 seconds. It's mostly liquid B-12 with caffeine and a little bit of protein.

Ditto on the protein/fat snacks - these will sustain your energy much longer. Another energy booster is to get up and take a brisk walk - even a couple of minutes will help. And be conscious of sitting up straight if you work at a desk, and make sure you're breathing deeply enough - lack of oxygen (surprisingly!) can make you very tired.

Ditch the sugar/caffeine which give you a quick boost and quicker crash -usually to lower than you were before.

Cheers,
xena

Also, as far as getting to sleep is concerned, I would try melatonin. It's natural and helps with getting to sleep. Some folks have said it didn't work for them but I could tell a difference.

I would think solving the sleep problem is more important than solving the sleepyness problem (which will go away once you get enough sleep, right?).

Before bedtime is the best (maybe the only) time to have a sweet, starchy snack.
For breakfast, that stuff will put you down pronto.
At bedtime, it could help you fall . . . asleep.
Edit: Brush teeth after snack (disclaimer)

king_alvaro wrote:I use my APAP machine every single day. But when I sleep about 7 hours or less I usually feel tired all day at work. Coworkers think I am lazy, but I am just tired. I usually go to the sink in the bathroom and wash my face and hair. It only gives me about 20 minutes of a little energy. I also eat lots of chocolates and drink a soda for a boost of energy. But it doesn't last long either. My AHI is usually under 2. The reason I sleep 7 hours or less is because sometimes I have trouble falling asleep.

I would love to hear some of things people on this forum do, so I can do them too. I don't want any Provigil medication. I want to try something natural.

How long have you been on apap?
What does your software say?
Chocolat and pop are the worst things to try and help you stay awake. Try physical movement instead. Swing your arms, circle you hips, get your bloob moving. At lunch time eat protein, salad and go jogging before you eat or do some yoga exercises.

Get onto the sleep hygiene band waggon.