More To Feeling Well Than Low AHI and No Leaks

[Sissy63]

I would include my OSCAR data, but honestly, I am too tired to figure out how to upload it and I don't think it would matter in this case anyway. Plus, I am on a new computer and don't have a lot of things installed yet. Again, to tired and brain foggy to figure it out at the moment. I even came home from work earlier because I feel that bad.

What I am finding is that there is a lot more to feeling well than AHI and leaks. Maybe I am slow on the take!!! I really haven't felt that well a lot of days since being on CPAP for the last 6 years, but I am still trying to get there. Some days are pretty good and others not so much. It is different than just a bad day that we all have once in a while.

My AHI last night was .13 and my leak rate was 0. I started using the Bleep Eclipse 4 nights ago, plus tape my mouth, and using a cervical collar. (I have mouth taped for several years, so that isn't anything new to get used to.) So, the Eclipse and the other precautions I am taking are working at keeping my leaks in control. So, I think I have 1/2 the equation solved.

Now, the next part, even with and AHI of .13, I feel like total trash today. I am tired and headachy and I am sure it is CPAP related. I woke up at around 4:15 a.m. after an arousal and was not able to get back to sleep. I think I had them a lot in the night, but did not fully awaken until the last one. I have my pressure set to CPAP 9, no ramp nor EPR. From previous experience, EPR does not serve me well. When I look at my flow rate the tops are flat and when zooming in, they are rather jagged. I assume that is what is causing me to feel like I haven't slept in days. Am I understanding correctly?

It seems like some people poo-poo flow limits and other find value in them, so that being said, mine appear to need some improving. I don't have a plugged nose or anything specific that would be causing the flow limits other than my own physiology. They are .30 at 99.5%. I don't know if this is a bad number, but that is what was last night.

So, would it be in my best interest to increase my pressure and see if I can improve my flow rate and flow limits? I am hoping that is what I need to feel more rested and more like myself. I am thinking about going to a pressure of 11. I would try 10, but don't want to feel like trash again tomorrow, if I can avoid it. Thoughts?

Thank you to all who take the time to help those of us trying to zero in on the problem and offer suggestions!



https://sleephq.com/account/teams/vOVdbj.

[Julie]

You could always ask the doctor for some routine bloodwork in case something else is off but you're focused only on Cpap - happens to everyone here sometimes.

[Sissy63]

Thanks! They have checked everything...Vitamin D, B12, etc. I am on thyroid medication and trying to optimize it. The doctors say it seems to be more than thyroid. I hVe requested another sleep study to see about my oxygen when sleeping. I am so emotional.

[ozij]

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So, would it be in my best interest to increase my pressure and see if I can improve my flow rate and flow limits? I am hoping that is what I need to feel more rested and more like myself. I am thinking about going to a pressure of 11. I would try 10, but don't want to feel like trash again tomorrow, if I can avoid it. Thoughts?

Thank you to all who take the time to help those of us trying to zero in on the problem and offer suggestions!

Since all other health issues have been ruled out, the answer is yes.
But don't jump from 9 to 11. Do it more gradually.
Flow limitations are not to be "poo pooed". They very relevant if they cause arousals, and those can sometimes be seen in the flow chart too.

Hang in there - and have the patience to make the change gradually.
And another sleep study, with titration is a good idea.

[Miss Emerita]

What was it about EPR that you didn’t like? I ask because it can be helpful in reducing flow limitations.

[Sissy63]

I felt even less rested when using EPR. I seem to be very sensitive to any changes, so I find being as consistent as possible helps me sleep better. I know when I tried APAP I didn't do well either.

I increased my pressure last night and still having significant FL, but the arousals seems better, so I think I am heading in the right direction.

I kind of wonder if I am having some desaturation of oxygen when sleeping. I assume the increase in pressure will help if that is the case. I see my doctor at the end of the month and will ask about an oximeter test that she can order to be used with my CPAP.

I am still tired, but it may take a while to feel rested even when I do find a pressure that seems to work, I guess. Feeling and acting like a tired 3 year is not very becoming.

[ChicagoGranny]

I would include my OSCAR data, but honestly, I am too tired to figure out how to upload it

Use the free version of SleepHQ.com. You will get a URL to post in this thread.

[Sissy63]

Thanks! I can do that!

[Sissy63]

I don't seem to be able to copy a link from SleepHQ because I already used up my free month. I can see my data for the last 30 days, but that is all.

I have an appointment with a sleep specialist on Aug. 9th. I was surprised I could get in that quickly. I looked at his reviews and people stated over and over that he goes through the report and explains things. What a thought! The receptionist was very kind. She asked me who has been helping me manage my CPAP. I told her no one. I never met with a doctor or anyone else. I was literally handed a "brick" and a mask and told good luck, like many others on here. She asked about the doctor who ordered the sleep test. I said she had been prescribed one herself, but refused to wear it because it made her anxious. The receptionist seemed appalled. Hopefully this is a better outfit than most.

I have looked over my data for the last month or so and even though my AHI is always less than 1 and most nights my leaks are well below the threshold or even 0, I am still tired, emotional at times, and foggy. I do better on the nights my pressure is at 11. If I vary much one way or the other, I am generally a mess the next day. I might look great on my reports, but I don't feel that way. I am guessing if pressure is low, then my sleep architecture and/or oxygen levels are too low. If too high, I don't get quality sleep.

I don't know why I am rambling, maybe it is therapeutic! Hopefully I will get some answers soon as to why i am SO tired even when I am 100% compliant. I was tired after my sleep study 6 years ago and have been tired many days since.

Thanks for everyone's help. The time and effort that many of you spend help people is remarkable. Some of the "arguments" among some are even entertaining, even if I have no idea what you are arguing about.

[Pugsy]

When we don't feel the nice low numbers as we expect we should then we need to look elsewhere for the cause of any unwanted symptoms.

Do you take any medications of any kind? If so, what?

Do you have any physical or mental health issues that could be impacting sleep and/or sleep quality?

How many hours of actual sleep are you actually getting....not necessarily time in bed but awake?
Are those hours fragmented with very many wake ups?

[CPAP-A-MUST]

In addition to what others have mentioned, diet and exercise definitely play a part as well. Sadly, many people believe CPAP will fix all their issues when for some of us it is truly a multi-level approach to wellness. Wishing you the best for getting this solved.

[Jtg073]

Hey man, just found your post. Same exact problem here. My AHI is always really low. 0, or close to it. But my sleep always sucks. I never feel rested. Every night and every morning sucks. I’ve been thinking it’s UARS. Lots of arousals l, but not many obstructive apneas or hypopneas. I get Central apneas sometimes, but I think that’s because I keep changing my pressure to find something that works.

Any change in your sleep?

[Jtg073]

When we don't feel the nice low numbers as we expect we should then we need to look elsewhere for the cause of any unwanted symptoms.

Do you take any medications of any kind? If so, what?

Do you have any physical or mental health issues that could be impacting sleep and/or sleep quality?

How many hours of actual sleep are you actually getting....not necessarily time in bed but awake?
Are those hours fragmented with very many wake ups?

Not my post, but I’m having pretty much the same issue he is.

How can someone tell how many hours of sleep they’re getting? I know I’m having arousals over and over all night long. It’s like I’m stuck In between being asleep and awake. I wake up, but I fall back asleep quickly. That happens over and over. In the morning I have flashbacks of all the arousals. I’m not laying in bed trying to fall back asleep. It’s really hard to say how many hours of sleep I’m getting. It’s just really in refreshing sleep. It feels like I’m not getting any REM sleep at all.

[Miss Emerita]

Hey man, just found your post. Same exact problem here. My AHI is always really low. 0, or close to it. But my sleep always sucks. I never feel rested. Every night and every morning sucks. I’ve been thinking it’s UARS. Lots of arousals l, but not many obstructive apneas or hypopneas. I get Central apneas sometimes, but I think that’s because I keep changing my pressure to find something that works.

Any change in your sleep?

Hi there. Could you start a new thread with this post and your next one? That way you’re more likely to get some help with your issues.