Relief from "Brain Fog"

kurrykid · Post by **kurrykid** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:19 pm

I am looking for some comments from some of you out there who were experiencing some pretty serious "brain fog" issues from sleep apnea and how long it took to start getting some mental clarity?

I am a little discouraged because I have been on the machine for about 10 days and although I am not nearly as tired as I was, I have had no positive effects in regards to the brain fog. I have read many examples of how people have had some relief, almost immediately. Although I am very happy for them, it is making me wonder about my situation.

I know every situation is different but I am still curious about some of the personal experiences out there.

Thanks.

biggziff · Post by **biggziff** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:57 pm

I had relief right from the start..even the morning after my split study. Every person is different. I would give it a few more weeks and then talk to your doc about another study unless you have a machine that records your data at night.

Colorado Jan · Post by **Colorado Jan** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:14 pm

It took me several weeks to feel fully recovered....then I had one day where my head was so clear it was WEIRD. Felt like I was on some kind of drug or something....nope, just the effects of OXYGEN on the brain, lol. So be patient. I think if you really had severe brain fog like I did, it just takes a little while longer on therapy to feel your best.

Good luck!

Jan in Colo.

Oh 2 breathe · Post by **Oh 2 breathe** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:11 pm

Oh, I can really relate to the 'brain fog.' Before my diagnosis I drifted around for a year forgetting details and not being able to organize my way out of a paper bag. I noticed an improvement right from the first night on CPAP, but I continued to need my power naps at mid-day for about 5 weeks. Now after about 9 weeks I seem to be back to normal cognitive functioning (well, normal for me anyway).

Be patient with yourself. If after a couple of months you don't see a significant improvement you could do a retest at the sleep lab to see if your machine settings are optimal.

~ OTB

Apneaat22 · Post by **Apneaat22** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 2:20 pm

I have been on the hose for about a month now. My first things I noticed was I was waking up on time and not being totally confused when I woke up. When I would get up in the morning, I would have no idea what was going on. I realized that I would have horrible stressful dreams all night most likely due to not breathing at night. I have noticed those have gone away for the most part.

The thing that got me in for my study was that I could not keep track of things at work like I used to. I am generally a running ticker of issues for my programs I work on and I was failing to recall anything with any sort of accuracy and it was really affecting things. I was in England on work the first two weeks I was on my CPAP so I really couldn't compare how I felt due to long hours and time change, but now that I am home and back on a proper schedule, I have having a much easier time working through issues and recalling things.

I don't have much experience, but your pressure may not be as close to what you need as it should, or you just may need more time. It will come one way or another and hopefully you will feel like a whole new person like I have.

Now if only I could get my new mask so I could stop using my "Comfort"gel mask

Apnea@22

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 7:00 pm

After the very first night I had a clarity and "lifting of the fog" that was incredible. Within 4 or 5 days I no longer felt like I had to take an afternoon nap. After a week I thought "I'm so much better I must be back to normal".

The next day I felt even better and thought: "This is such an improvement, I must now be back to normal".

And, as you can guess, the next day I felt better again.

After a while I realized that it had been so long and I'd sunk so far, I really have no idea what "normal" is anymore.

Three months now (I think, maybe more) and I continue to show improvement. Maybe it isn't daily jumps anymore, but one week to the next I can still feel the difference. And at work and home, I can see the effects .

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 7:05 pm

Some people are really lucky and they feel the difference immediately. For the rest of us, it can take weeks, even months before the brain fog goes away.

But make no mistake about it, it DOES go away.

kurrykid · Post by **kurrykid** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 5:17 pm

Guest,

SInce you are not signed in I can't PM you but I would be interested in hearing more about your experience. Please send me an e-mail at kurrykid@yahoo.com if you are interested in sharing more information.

Thank you.