6 months, no changes

[Boremc]

I have now been using my CPAP for 6 months, and I'm frustrated. I just don't notice one bit of difference in how I feel, or in the quality of my sleep. I use the thing faithfully every night and have ever since I got it. It took a bit of getting used to, but I honestly didn't have too difficult a time adjusting to it. My doctor has been pleased with the data from the machine at my follow-ups, and says I must be feeling so much better---but I'm not. I feel just the same. Tired, tired, tired! I had a cold recently, and couldn't use the CPAP for a few nights, and I was sure that I would then notice a difference, being off of it for a few nights after having used it for such a long time. But I noticed absolutely no difference. For any of you who feel that the CPAP really helps you, did it take ages (well, more than 6 months!) for you to feel that way? And from a more medical standpoint, is there really any reason to keep using the thing if it doesn't improve my sleep (or blood pressure, or weight...) at all? I feel like I've given it a chance, but it just doesn't work for me. Appreciate any advice. Thanks!

[SleepDisturbed]

I am not a doctor, but I would think you should be feeling somewhat better by now! But don't give up! Most of what might be wrong is probably fixable. There are some very smart and knowledgeable folks hanging around here.

Could you edit your user profile and put in your equipment for us? Once we have that people here can begin a dialogue with you to see if we can help.

[Sclark08]

I started cpap 1 year ago for 1 year the dr switched my to bipap due to copd . Been 6 months on that. Bi level is much harder to get used to than cpap but I am finally getting good numbers and feeling better. Don't give up it's too important. Best of luck

[flyingwithoutwings]

I have now been using my CPAP for 6 months, and I'm frustrated. I just don't notice one bit of difference in how I feel, or in the quality of my sleep. I use the thing faithfully every night and have ever since I got it. It took a bit of getting used to, but I honestly didn't have too difficult a time adjusting to it. My doctor has been pleased with the data from the machine at my follow-ups, and says I must be feeling so much better---but I'm not. I feel just the same. Tired, tired, tired! I had a cold recently, and couldn't use the CPAP for a few nights, and I was sure that I would then notice a difference, being off of it for a few nights after having used it for such a long time. But I noticed absolutely no difference. For any of you who feel that the CPAP really helps you, did it take ages (well, more than 6 months!) for you to feel that way? And from a more medical standpoint, is there really any reason to keep using the thing if it doesn't improve my sleep (or blood pressure, or weight...) at all? I feel like I've given it a chance, but it just doesn't work for me. Appreciate any advice. Thanks!

I know exactly how you feel. I too use my cpap faithfully, don't dare sleep without it now that I know what OSA is all about. I have been on PAP therapy for 5 1/2 months and have not felt the effects yet. I don't want to give it up because I've gone from 34 AHI to <2 but I'm not feeling it, still tired, still sleepy, don't want to get up in the morning. The only thing that has changed is that I don't get up to go to the bathroom. I keep telling myself that it'll just take longer because I went undiagnosed for at least 10 years.

[Todzo]

I have now been using my CPAP for 6 months, and I'm frustrated. I just don't notice one bit of difference in how I feel, or in the quality of my sleep. I use the thing faithfully every night and have ever since I got it. It took a bit of getting used to, but I honestly didn't have too difficult a time adjusting to it. My doctor has been pleased with the data from the machine at my follow-ups, and says I must be feeling so much better---but I'm not. I feel just the same. Tired, tired, tired! I had a cold recently, and couldn't use the CPAP for a few nights, and I was sure that I would then notice a difference, being off of it for a few nights after having used it for such a long time. But I noticed absolutely no difference.

I think you might do well to start a journal, it may be helpful as you talk with your doctor and make decisions.

For any of you who feel that the CPAP really helps you, did it take ages (well, more than 6 months!) for you to feel that way?

I noticed a positive change in morning feel, job performance, and outlook right away. It was not as much of an improvement as I had hoped but I was very glad for it.

And from a more medical standpoint, is there really any reason to keep using the thing if it doesn't improve my sleep (or blood pressure, or weight...) at all? I feel like I've given it a chance, but it just doesn't work for me. Appreciate any advice. Thanks!

A recent study[1] found that beyond the obstruction that CPAP is able to treat there may be nonanatomic features that play an important role in 56% of patients with OSA.

The features that they looked at were:

A. hi respiratory control loop gain (a tendency to loose good control of breathing)
B. low arousal threshold
C. minimal genioglossus (tongue) muscle responsiveness

CPAP tends to exacerbate “A” as the pressure tend to be a plus factor for respiratory control loop gain.

CPAP has, in my opinion, high levels of noise, vibration, fast pressure changes, and initial back pressures upon the start of exhale which all tend to result in excessive arousals due to “B”.

There are things that I have found that help with these[2] and I believe that it is likely that if you look into those it may well improve your CPAP experience and your health.

But at the end of the day it is your health we are trying to improve and that is where the journal may prove useful. Log what actually happens. If the machine actually helps that is great. If another six months prove the machine to not be a help find other help.

I do hope we all find better health.


[1] Danny J. Eckert, David P. White, Amy S. Jordan, Atul Malhotra, and Andrew Wellman "Defining Phenotypic Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Identification of Novel Therapeutic Targets", American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Vol. 188, No. 8 (2013), pp. 996-1004. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201303-0448OC

[2]:

“A” seems to be helped by getting vitamin D3 levels above 50 (see The Vitamin D Counsel for information regarding the proper assay). I have found that it is directly related to the stress levels in my life. I have found it helpful to pursue good metabolic health (eat well move well) and that long term exercise is helpful if it contains a bit of good aerobics appropriate for my fitness level.

“B” seems to be most helped by long term exercise. Not high level just “keep it moving” until good and tired by the end of the day. But not too much.

“C” seems to be helped by the pursuit of good metabolic health and anti-inflammatory foods.

[chunkyfrog]

We are all different. Some take longer to feel a difference; some only see it in improved lab results.
Substantial immediate improvement is not necessarily the "rule" Living longer, healthier, is.
Sometimes the doctor may need encouragement to find what else may be wrong.

[sleeplessinaz]

It would be helpful to edit your profile to add your machine and mask so we know what you have been using. You may need to bump your pressure up a few notches to feel better or have a second sleep study which is a titration night with your mask on to see if you need a higher pressure.

Also vitamin D deficient will make you very tired. I take 5,000 IU of Vit D daily just to keep my body up with the minimum levels. Hi Health sells the 5,000 IU of Vit. D. Wouldn't hurt to try it.

Hope this helps,

[SleepyToo2]

Boremc, it took me a long time (more than a year) before I could say that I really felt better. However, there were signs within a few weeks that there were some things going on. If you are not feeling better, your therapy has not been optimized for you. Either the machine is not delivering enough pressure at the right time, or the mask is not fitting right and you are getting leaks. Post what equipment you have, what pressures, and someone will advise you how to proceed with fixing it or getting it fixed.

[Wulfman...]

I have now been using my CPAP for 6 months, and I'm frustrated. I just don't notice one bit of difference in how I feel, or in the quality of my sleep. I use the thing faithfully every night and have ever since I got it. It took a bit of getting used to, but I honestly didn't have too difficult a time adjusting to it. My doctor has been pleased with the data from the machine at my follow-ups, and says I must be feeling so much better---but I'm not. I feel just the same. Tired, tired, tired! I had a cold recently, and couldn't use the CPAP for a few nights, and I was sure that I would then notice a difference, being off of it for a few nights after having used it for such a long time. But I noticed absolutely no difference. For any of you who feel that the CPAP really helps you, did it take ages (well, more than 6 months!) for you to feel that way? And from a more medical standpoint, is there really any reason to keep using the thing if it doesn't improve my sleep (or blood pressure, or weight...) at all? I feel like I've given it a chance, but it just doesn't work for me. Appreciate any advice. Thanks!

People responding to your post have asked you to add your equipment to your profile.......but you haven't. Why not?
Also, please include your pressure and other settings (humidity and any exhale relief) in your profile.

If you want "help", please provide us with some information we can use. You haven't told us diddly-squat other than you haven't noticed any changes in 6 months.
There are a multitude of reasons for that, but we need more info.


Den

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