Need Help: Brain Fog

[bronco.den]

Hello Experts,

I have been using CPAP machine since last 18 months and successfully eliminated the major Sleep Apnea issues like snoring, Fatigue, frequent urination during night etc.
The one major issue I am still struggling with is Brain fog. My brain can’t function at an optimal level (pre-SA level). When I am having brain fog I can’t think straight or perform Mental tasks easily.
Usually brain fog starts after 1-2 hours of waking up and linger around late afternoon. Mostly, the brain fog goes away late in the evening after 8.00 PM or so and my mind function much better during that time. I do have rare fully alert days but those are like 1-2 days in a week.

Below is the Oscar graph for today. My energy level is good but have brain fog. After waking up at 9.00 AM brain fog started around 11.00 AM
Could you please analyze my graph and tell me is there any to optimize my therapy? Thank You.

Personal Statistics
1. Age 37, Male, Healthy, non-obese
2. Have Hypothyroid – Taking medication
3. B12 and D Levels are normal
4. I don't drink Coffee

https://imgur.com/SRumJsZ

https://i.imgur.com/SRumJsZ.jpg

[khauser]

Two questions:
Is the brain fog you experience around memory recollection or thinking? Or both?

Brain fog is a common symptom of hypothyroidism ... perhaps you should have your levels checked.

Any other medications?

[bronco.den]

Hello Khauser,

Thanks for responding.
My brain fog is mostly around thinking. Sometimes it takes time to recollect something but mostly I am ok.

I check my Thyroid levels every 6 months and it’s always within normal range. Last time I checked 3 weeks back.

Other than thyroid medication, I only take vitamin supplements. D and B12

[Pugsy]

The only thing I see on your software report that might stand out would be potential breaks in therapy where the machine was turned off and back on again. Otherwise your report is quite boring and I don't see any reason to change anything.

Why the break in therapy?
Do you have other times during the night where you wake up but don't turn off the machine? If so, approx how many?
How is your overall sleep quality?
Do you drink alcohol in the evening anywhere near bedtime?

[bronco.den]

Hello Pugsy,

Thank You for responding. Please see my response below

Why the break in therapy?
I have a very oily skin and live in humid place. So during the night, sub consciously I stop the machine, rub my face and turn it back On. Sometimes I remember sometimes I don't. It happens 3-4 times during the night.

Do you have other times during the night where you wake up but don't turn off the machine? If so, approx how many?
When I wake up during the night, I always turn off the machine first.

How is your overall sleep quality?
I don't have a consistent sleep quality. It changes everyday depending on my day. If I am tired and don't take any nap in the afternoon, then I sleep without waking up.

Do you drink alcohol in the evening anywhere near bedtime?
I used to be a regular drinker(1-2 times/week) with 2-4 drinks. Since last 6 months, I have reduced it to once a month. My energy level has certainly increased but still get the brain fog.

Some more background on my SA
1. I have deviated septum since childhood (trauma) and it changed the anatomy of my Jaw and hence the SA. I was a mouth breather before I got diagnosed but while using the CPAP I can't breath through mouth. I am more comfortable breathing through nose even though only 1 of my nostril is open at one time.
2. My AHI is low when I sleep on side but I unconsciously move to back during night. When I sleep too much on my back my brain fog get worse.

Below is my graph for today. My brain is functioning better today but I am feeling little sleepy (might be because of less sleep last night)

https://imgur.com/Ro74SOW

Appreciate you help.

[chunkyfrog]

You state you don't drink coffee.
Is this new?
Coffee "clears the cobwebs" for many.
Before cpap, I avoided coffee, because I blamed it for feeling shaky at times.
Since starting cpap, I tolerate coffee much better.
I am still not as fond of it as others.

[bronco.den]

Hello Chunkyfrog,

Apologies for my late response.
I stopped drinking coffee around 2 years back when I started getting SA symptoms. I used to drink 1 coffee a day late in the afternoon. I started getting little shaky after drinking so stopped it completely.
I think there is no harm in trying coffee to manage brain fog in the morning.

Thank You for your suggestion.

[joeljjk11]

I had bad brain fog last year and I thought for a while it was from my cpap but it was not. I was under a lot of stress with my job and this was the real cause of it. I no longer have the same job and the brain fog is gone. I would look at other things that are going on in your life that are causing a lot of stress, because I would bet it is not from using your cpap machine.