Feeling worse on cpap.

[zonker]

Last night was the first time using the exhale relief ( I didn't like it) all the other nights it was off I didn't even know it existed.. I'm going to try it off tonight

for my first 2 1/2 years, i wasn't crazy about pressure relief. seemed to me to be doing the opposite of what it was intended to do. for some reason it eventually cleared out for me and i find myself using it set at 1.

go figure cpap!

[the baker]

So after a Wednesday night of good breathing ( AHI .4 ) but little sleep.. I was looking forward to Thursday night but it did not happen, right from the beginning as soon as I would feel sleep setting in I would jerk awake with a big breath in, so it went sleep and gasp as it continued it took longer and longer to reach sleep and the jolt of the breath was getting frustrating...I decided 3 hours of this was enough and I ditched the machine... Got up to use the bathroom and I got hit with the worst vertigo I've ever experienced... I made it back to the bed and held on for dear life as the room spun around it took 20 minutes to subside but after all that I got no more sleep the rest of the night And Still had a few breathing gasps even though I wasn't on the machine. And my lungs are sore and achey ... This had gone away a week ago..but Now it's back...

Now I changed nothing on the machine from the previous night....how are the 2 nights so starkly different i ended up with 2 or so hours sleep and an AHI of 5.4..... Versus Wednesday night 4 hours sleep and an AHI .4.....

On a separate note late Thursday evening the head of the sleep doctors practice wants to see me to address the issues I'm having he is setting aside a special appointment for me Tuesday afternoon..wants to see my machine masks etc.

[HoseCrusher]

Perhaps it is time to back up a little and expand perspective...

Vertigo may indicate something screwy with the inner ear. Any congestion or sinus issues? Keep in mind that there are maneuvers you can use to quickly recover from a vertigo episode. They are not difficult to do and seem to be very effective.

In reading your previous posts the question comes to mind What else is going on in your life? It seems you are having poor support from the medical staff, and I believe you are getting ready to move. These can add stress making restful sleep difficult to achieve.

Here is an exercise you can think about trying...

Pick out a movie you love.

Set up your machine so you can watch the movie while using your machine.

Mask up and enjoy the movie.

While watching, pay attention to your rhythm and notice how the rhythm of the machine compliments you. It is kind of like dancing, but your partner in this case is a "stupid machine." Watch your toes...

After this, sleeping with the machine should be easier. You now have a better idea of what to expect. This will reduce your anxiety and let you focus on the sleep you need.

[the baker]

Thanks for the feedback

Yes my wife says the stress of moving is big enough add to that dealing with sleep apnea, adjusting to the machine and that fact that my insurance company doesn't cover where I'm moving to even though it's the same state...is stressing me out . Plus my big side effect from The sleep apnea is horrible brain fog so it's hard to function

The DME will be taking the cpap back when I complete the move since the insurance company will stop the payments...

I'm hoping to get sleep tonight. Since I've never gone this !omg with so little sleep...
I'm debating not using the machine for a few days..I'll feel bad but at least I won't feel as bad...


I've used the machine sitting watching tv to try and get used to it, but I get dizzy when I used it so I stopped.

I can't use it when I have to drive early in the morning cause I wake up dizzy from the machine.


No sinus issues that I can speak.of but I do have dust allergies but when I'm on the cpap I think the filter helps since my nose always clears up

[Julie]

Another possibility is that your BP was low (causing dizziness) as Cpap does lower it somewhat normally, and if yours is usually on the lower side and your pressures were set higher than usual, it could have been a factor.

[the baker]

Another possibility is that your BP was low (causing dizziness) as Cpap does lower it somewhat normally, and if yours is usually on the lower side and your pressures were set higher than usual, it could have been a factor.

My blood pressure is normal, my heart rate is always a bit high.

I always have had problems getting up from laying down, I do it in stages..

[Miss Emerita]

So sorry you’re having vertigo on top of everything else. There are several kinds, and they would be treated in different ways. Some good information here:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-an ... at/vertigo

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is the most common kind, and as HoseCrusher says, it can be treated with a series of manipulations of your head. If you have residual dizziness, it can be treated with “vestibular rehabilitation,” often provided by a physical therapist.

Speaking from experience, I recommend that you see a doctor about this as soon as possible. I made the mistake of waiting for several weeks, and that made recovery drag on a lot longer that it should have.

Best of luck.

[the baker]

So sorry you’re having vertigo on top of everything else. There are several kinds, and they would be treated in different ways. Some good information here:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-an ... at/vertigo

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is the most common kind, and as HoseCrusher says, it can be treated with a series of manipulations of your head. If you have residual dizziness, it can be treated with “vestibular rehabilitation,” often provided by a physical therapist.

Speaking from experience, I recommend that you see a doctor about this as soon as possible. I made the mistake of waiting for several weeks, and that made recovery drag on a lot longer that it should have.

Best of luck.

Thanks
This is the first time in years I've had vertigo like that, I do have some vertigo when I roll over in bed ..had it for years. The ent said it was nothing to worry about. I will tell the sleep doctor when I see him Tuesday

[Wigsplitter]

I feel bad for you man, it sucks feeling like crap everyday. I didn't know why I felt terrible, but after years of feeling awful pretty much everyday, someone had told me I snored like a beast. and then it all made sense, took me about another 6 months just to get to the doctor. and now have been using a machine for about 2 months. still don't feel amazing, but I feel much better. also working with a doctor now, and hoping to get a new machine through insurance.
I know how you feel...

[the baker]

I feel bad for you man, it sucks feeling like crap everyday. I didn't know why I felt terrible, but after years of feeling awful pretty much everyday, someone had told me I snored like a beast. and then it all made sense, took me about another 6 months just to get to the doctor. and now have been using a machine for about 2 months. still don't feel amazing, but I feel much better. also working with a doctor now, and hoping to get a new machine through insurance.
I know how you feel...

The worst part is , I've been complaining for almost a year that something was happening during my sleep but no one took me seriously they tested me for everything but sleep issues, even to?d me I was having anxiety attacks in my sleep.
That was until the neurologist got fed up with me and went me for a sleep test.. What you know the test showed i had hypopnea .
So instead of this being settled months ago if they had listened to me I've been suffering for a year...

The doctors used to ask my wife of I snored....but I didn't..never have

[Wigsplitter]

well atleast you are on the right track man. keep it up

[the baker]

well atleast you are on the right track man. keep it up

3 days so far.. Ahi under 1. But only getting 4-5 hours sleep..seeing the doctor tomorrow....

[the baker]

So last night was my first night of getting more than 4-5 hours sleep. Just over 7 hours all on the machine. Sleepy head said in the 7 hours I had only one event all night, but I up this morning with really bad headache, dizziness, fog, nausea and blurred vision... Feeling worse than days I get a lot less sleep. I dont understand.

This is how I would feel before cpap if I slept this long. Generally pre diagnosis the more I slept the worse I felt and the doctor said this was because the longer I slept the more my brain was deprived of oxygen because of the apnea

But I'm on the machine wouldn't this not be happening as bad as before???


EDIT: my wife thinks maybe I feel like this because my brain/body is not used to all the oxygen air etc. That I got since this is the longest use of the cpap yet...

[palerider]

EDIT: my wife thinks maybe I feel like this because my brain/body is not used to all the oxygen air etc. That I got since this is the longest use of the cpap yet...

um, you could be on pure oxygen and it wouldn't cause dizziness.

[Mogy]

Do you have a recording oximeter to compare your oxygen levels when sleeping with and without your machine?
CPAP helps lots of people with severe OSA, but it helps very few with mild OSA. At CPAPtalk the majority of the posters are people with severe OSA that CPAP has helped. They will push CPAP even when it appears that it is not helping.
You probably have something else going on that is making you feel poorly. There are many other things that can affect the quality of your sleep besides OSA.
With an AHI of 11 your sleep apnea is mild. They have compared the quality of life of people without sleep apnea to those with mild OSA and found that there was no difference.
There are many studies like this one:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4163952

They conclude:
"Individuals with mild OSA in this cohort do not have worse sleepiness, mood or quality of life in comparison to those without OSA."

In my opinion you need to widen your search for possible reasons for your poor health.
There are also other methods to control your mild OSA.

CPAP is bad for sleep hygiene, especially if you have a low arousal threshold.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5940420/
From this study:
"PAP may not fix their sleep-related respiratory disturbances, and conceivably, could make them worse."

I am not saying that CPAP will not help you: there is a small chance that it might. There are many other variables that need consideration.