I wake 3-5 times per night. Why?

[M3T4LLik4]

Hey all,

I have pretty good energy and don't feel all that tired during the day, but man I keep on waking up! I looked at my graphs and couldn't find anything crazy last week. Which graphs should I post from sleepyhead for folks to look at? My doc just said," Well that's a tough one, let's talk about it at the next appt." when I told him I continue to wake after 1.5 months of therapy. Is this just a new normal for me, the guy who used to be a deep sleeper?!

Thanks.

[levman]

I've had the same thing happen almost nightly for five years since starting CPAP therapy. My theory - and it is only a theory - is that I've always woken up briefly while sleeping (which isn't unusual) but always just rolled over and fell back asleep without even noticing, but now, with the mask on my face and a hose to adjust when I roll over, I am more aware of my awakenings when they happen.

[Julie]

Post some Sleepyhead graphs etc. according to the instructions and we'll take a look.

[palerider]

I've had the same thing happen almost nightly for five years since starting CPAP therapy. My theory - and it is only a theory - is that I've always woken up briefly while sleeping (which isn't unusual) but always just rolled over and fell back asleep without even noticing, but now, with the mask on my face and a hose to adjust when I roll over, I am more aware of my awakenings when they happen.

it's completely normal to wake up between sleep cycles, most of the time, nobody remembers it.

[M3T4LLik4]

Where are the instructions for posting pictures haha

Nvm! It was easy to use Imgur. Here are the graphs:

http://imgur.com/a/tV5Cp

[robysue]

Where are the instructions for posting pictures haha

Nvm! It was easy to use Imgur. Here are the graphs:

http://imgur.com/a/tV5Cp

There's nothing particularly noteworthy in your data. The AHI is low and it looks like you were in bed for about 7.5 hours.

The leaks are not perfect, but they're decent enough---they never come close to the Resmed RedLine of 24 L/min. If the leaks are not disturbing you, you can ignore them. But if you think the leaks are waking you up, then it's worth investigating whether addressing them will give you better sleep.

Since you didn't turn your machine off when you woke up, there's no good way for us to determine how often you woke up and when those wakes occurred and whether they're associated with either the worse of your (not very bad) leaks or the handful of events that got through the CPAP defenses.

If the wakes are at roughly 90 minute intervals, I'd assume that they are normal post REM wakes. In that case the best thing to do is simply not worry about them. The more you worry about normal post REM wakes, the more likely you are to have trouble getting back to sleep and the longer they will likely be. And it can disrupt the overall quality of your sleep if the post REM wakes turn into extended periods of tossing and turning and worrying about being awake wakes.

[EdNerd]

I'd vote with palerider and robysue - don't worry too much about them unless there's like pain or such involved.

It can take much longer than 1 1/2 months for your mind and body to adjust to sleeping with a hurricane up your nose and a mask eating your face all night. But eventually, yes - it will all be normal. (As if that has any meaning beyond the setting on your dryer!)

Ed

[Guest]

Thank you for taking the time to look guys. It really means a lot to be part of this community!!