CPAP not helping me feel better

matthew76 · Post by **matthew76** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:56 pm

Hi all,

Recently I was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea (had an AHI of 88.2.) I have been on CPAP for over a week with a pressure of 11, and while I'm a bit more alert when I wake up and am not snoring, I still don't feel much better at all. My sleep doctor is actually lowering the pressure to 9 to see if 11 is affecting how I sleep.

I'm still having a lot of symptoms:

- waking up much worse than when I went to bed (always an anxiety attack around 7-8 AM, too.) I still have the head pressure, lightheadedness that can be worrisome, brain fog/spaciness/out of it/distant feeling, worse headaches and other symptoms if I'm not calm. Night time eases these symptoms somewhat, but I've always been a night person.

- having awful trouble concentrating and even simple tasks can bother me. I find I stay at home A LOT and watch TV when I can and try to pass the time at other hours of the day.

- I have frequent urination (that affects my sleep, since I get up to go to the bathroom,) weak leg muscles, ear aches, neck pain, and some more muscle aches. Sometimes I'm only comfortable sitting in certain positions.

- The sleepiness, bad fatigue, and tiredness is still there, but I have trouble sleeping. Forcing myself to stay up until my bedtime is a problem.

- I still get more shortness of breath than before, heart racing, and palpitations. But my sleep study showed no arrhythmias, and apnea events stopped at a pressure of 9. I find that I can't help consciously breathing into my mask when I get into bed, but not sure if that effects anything. My heart has always been pretty fast - reading at over 100 BPM much of the time when I am awake.

- more gas than usual

- Sometimes uncontrollable anxiety and emotional problems, some depression

At this point, I am wondering if the apnea is my only problem. I still think it is strange that all my problems started after a virus in November 2007 that had bad positional dizziness. It is during that period that my head first started feeling strange and the sleep problems developed. I know I have bad anxiety, but even when I'm calmer, I am not close to symptom free. So I'm wondering if something else is causing the bad anxiety and my nerves to be shot.

What do you think about all of this? My days are still horrible, as you can tell.

Thanks,

matthew76

deglorious · Post by **deglorious** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:10 pm

Hi Matthew, why don't you fill out your profile with your equipment filled in so that the gurus of the site can help you out if you are having an equipment problem?

I think that being on the cpap for just one week isn't giving the therapy enough time to work. I know it took me about 4 to 6 weeks to finally have a good night's sleep AND have a good day the next day.

But, fill out your profile and see what the more experienced members have to say....

Good luck,

Deglorious

matthew76 · Post by **matthew76** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:22 pm

I joined. I know what my CPAP machine is, but I will have to look into the other stuff. I'm using just a nasal mask, but seem to be breathing into my nose.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:27 pm

Your machine doesn't collect data and without the software you won't know if you are mouthbreathing. A FF mask or taping may help. If you can't keep the treatment pressure inside it doesn't work. Jim

matthew76 · Post by **matthew76** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:36 pm

I wish they gave me a better machine. Thanks; I am going to try the full face mask to see if I feel a difference.

matthew76 · Post by **matthew76** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:47 pm

I have another question: should the full force of the air come into your nose, or should you make sure the air is escaping?

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:00 am

[quote="matthew76"]Hi all,

Recently I was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea (had an AHI of 88.2.) I have been on CPAP for over a week with a pressure of 11, and while I'm a bit more alert when I wake up and am not snoring, I still don't feel much better at all. My sleep doctor is actually lowering the pressure to 9 to see if 11 is affecting how I sleep.

I'm still having a lot of symptoms:

- waking up much worse than when I went to bed (always an anxiety attack around 7-8 AM, too.) I still have the head pressure, lightheadedness that can be worrisome, brain fog/spaciness/out of it/distant feeling, worse headaches and other symptoms if I'm not calm. Night time eases these symptoms somewhat, but I've always been a night person.

- having awful trouble concentrating and even simple tasks can bother me. I find I stay at home A LOT and watch TV when I can and try to pass the time at other hours of the day.

- I have frequent urination (that affects my sleep, since I get up to go to the bathroom,) weak leg muscles, ear aches, neck pain, and some more muscle aches. Sometimes I'm only comfortable sitting in certain positions.

- The sleepiness, bad fatigue, and tiredness is still there, but I have trouble sleeping. Forcing myself to stay up until my bedtime is a problem.

- I still get more shortness of breath than before, heart racing, and palpitations. But my sleep study showed no arrhythmias, and apnea events stopped at a pressure of 9. I find that I can't help consciously breathing into my mask when I get into bed, but not sure if that effects anything. My heart has always been pretty fast - reading at over 100 BPM much of the time when I am awake.

- more gas than usual

- Sometimes uncontrollable anxiety and emotional problems, some depression

At this point, I am wondering if the apnea is my only problem. I still think it is strange that all my problems started after a virus in November 2007 that had bad positional dizziness. It is during that period that my head first started feeling strange and the sleep problems developed. I know I have bad anxiety, but even when I'm calmer, I am not close to symptom free. So I'm wondering if something else is causing the bad anxiety and my nerves to be shot.

What do you think about all of this? My days are still horrible, as you can tell.

Thanks,

matthew76

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:37 am

Oh don't scare the man - there's no reason to think he's had a stroke! His symptoms are classic for OSA plus maybe some leftover effects of the inner ear problem he had recently. It's quite likely he's mouth breathing at night, but unaware of it, so trying a full face mask is probably a good idea, as is (eventually) learning to read his stats, but even that can wait til he's comfortable with a mask that's properly fitted and giving him more relief overnight.

Pineapple · Post by **Pineapple** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:49 am

matthew76,

Relax - your not experincing anything that other newbies have reported including myself. This is not an immediate gradification treatment. It's very fustrating if your not a patient person.

You got a high AHI plus how long has this been going on? This could effect how long in will take for you to start feeling better. Many people report thinking nothing is happenning the 1st month of treatment, but this is far from the truth. Your body is healing itself inside, once it feels it's got enough done there then you'll see the improvments in the visible symptoms.

For me the first sign of improvement was so small, I thought I imagined it - I woke up and realized I had gotten some "solid" sleep. Grab on to these little things, it will bolster your morale.

Your sleep doctor already has changed your pressure? I'm not much more than a cheerleader here, maybe one of the gurus can chime in on this, but have you talked to him about needing a better machine, like an APAP?

matthew76 · Post by **matthew76** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:11 am

My doctor gave me an CT scan of the brain after my repeated headaches/bad head feelings, and nothing abnormal was found. I also had blood tests, which were normal except for slightly high liver function. Should I ask my doctor about more since I have worried about how my head feels?

My ears have been looked at, and even though they feel full and ache sometimes, the ENT did not notice anything except scarring from my tubes.

I'm only 31, but I think my apnea has been going on for a while, and things only changed to this level after what I described in November. Maybe the virus constricted my airways more? Before November, I would sit up and automatically fall asleep in that position, though. I also wasn't feeling all that great before November.

My sinuses seem constantly congested, and nothing relieves it,. I do get a shock-wave like headache in the forehead sometimes.

I'll ask the doctor about other possible machines. Thanks for all the responses.

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:16 am

Although I agree with the posts, I think I would make a visit to my Doc. There are meds out there available for anxiety and depression that may help with a short time course. I would also go just to make sure all else is okay with you. That way, if something isn't right with you it can be treated and if not you KNOW for sure it is just the CPAP therapy and can relax knowing that nothing else is going on.

Just what I would do to know the whole story.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:33 am

matthew76 wrote:
My sinuses seem constantly congested, and nothing relieves it,. I do get a shock-wave like headache in the forehead sometimes.

I too agree with all the above.
In addition: Cpap can't work when you nose is congested. Ask your ENT about sinus irrigation (e.g. NeilMed's Sinus Rinse system) - and if he doesn't forbid it, try it.

Severe obstructive sleep apnea can cause all those symptoms you have. There is not one of your present symptoms that can't be caused by severe OSA. Including frequent urination - which is a result of the OSA.

I'm not clear why you were given a pressure of 11 if you apneas were cleard by 9.

And yes, may take time.
Quit coincidentally I saw a bumper sticker today saying: The root of patience are bitter, but its fruit is sweet.

Once the therapy kicks in, many things will get better. That may even include your depression and anxiety.

O.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:53 am

Thoughts:

Get a fully data-capable machine.....like the M Series Pro.

If you're using HEATED humidity......turn it down or OFF as it may be contributing to your congestion.

Make sure you're not mouth-leaking......taping or full face mask.

You've only just begun your therapy and it definitely takes time to get all the pieces in place and then even more time to feel a "recovery".

NEVER give up!

Baby steps.....

Den

matthew76 · Post by **matthew76** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:00 am

I guess the snoring completely stopped by the pressure of 11, and he was being very cautious.

Could the full face mask help in the midst of my nasal congestion? I did try a rinse prescribed, and even that didn't stop the congestion.

Bigburd · Post by **Bigburd** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:13 am

Have you had your O2 checked. Mine is low, problems with lungs. Have to have a concentrator hooked in line with my hose at night. Full face if you cannot stop your mouth from opening. Works for me. Got rid of the terrible anxiety attacks.

Mask	Humidifier

CPAP not helping me feel better

CPAP not helping me feel better

Re: CPAP not helping me feel better