Waking up prematurely, stil feeling tired

[epsilonD3LT4]

Please see my introductory thread for a lot more context about my sleep situation.

I use an auto CPAP machine, with micropore tape, a chin strap and an eye mask to prevent leakages and to help me get a good night's sleep. However, I find these days that I can never sleep longer than 8 hours, and there are some days (such as weekends) where I just want to sleep for really long, and when I wake up it ends up being earlier than I would like and I still feel very tired. For instance, I might go to bed at midnight before a day off, and want to wake up at midday to catch up on sleep that I've inevitably lost due to sleep apnea, yet I will often feel awake at 8am and not be able to get back to sleep despite trying and still feeling really tired. Even worse, there have been times where I've been getting to sleep at around 10:30pm and waking up at 5am-6am, and not be able to get to sleep afterwards because my mind is too active and I desperately need the extra sleep. It's almost like the CPAP is "capping" the amount of sleep I am allowed to get.

Interestingly, since moving back home with my folks (I am a uni student and my halls have been vacated due to the virus), I have been having this problem a lot more, and it's driving me nuts. I have read from numerous sources that the antidepressants that I'm on can temper with sleep quality, so I've tried reducing the dosage this week. My mother also really like cooking large, Italian meals - these are lovely of course, but I didn't consume this many carbs when I was living by myself.

Is there anything else that might attribute CPAP therapy to early awakenings?

[zonker]

Please see my introductory thread for a lot more context about my sleep situation.

i'll let others dispense advice. i'm just here to ask nicely if you would please keep yourself to one thread? it helps people to better keep track of you.

thank you!

[rcobourn]

You can't catch up on sleep that way. Once you've slept 8 hours (maybe less for some), you've hit the point of diminishing returns. You need to get that 8 hours consistently to see improvement in how you feel. Expect it to take months. You might try a short (~20 minutes) nap in early afternoon, if it doesn't interfer with getting a full night's sleep.