Using CPAP but not feeling any more rested

[bonnietem]

I've been using CPAP for over 3 years. I don't feel any more rested in the morning than before I used CPAP. I do fall asleep faster and I'm aware that I don't usually wake up in the middle of the night any longer. Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas why this might be? I just wonder if it's (CPAP) is worth the aggravation and frustration of rainouts, mask leaks etc, etc.

[Claire]

Could it be that you're not a morning type. My husband, who does not have apnea, feels crummy in the morning no matter what.

Maybe it would be a good idea to see your sleep doc and get an idea how you're doing? Or trying a new mask, perhaps, to see if you can be more comfortable?

[Wulfman]

My first guess would be that you're leaking your therapy air out your mouth.....which means little or no therapy benefits.

Unfortunately, if your profile is accurate, you don't have a data-capable machine that will give you any information on how your therapy is working (or not).

The options of mouth-leaking are taping, using Polident adhesive denture strips to seal your lips or a full face mask.


Den

[mindy]

Hello Bonnie,

Welcome to the forum!

There can be any number of reasons why one might not feel rested even with xPAP therapy. I second the suggestion of checking with your sleep doc if you can.

Based on your profile, it looks to me that you don't have a "data capable" machine. It doesn't mean it's not a good machine but it makes it harder to figure out what's happening with your therapy. In my case, my sleep lab titration was too low and the sleep doc agreed after seeing the data from my machine.

Mask leaks can also cause problems and result in less than optimal therapy. I'm sure others will chime in with other possible issues. And yes, other medical conditions can complicate things so we may not feel as well as we otherwise would.

You'll find that many of us have data-capable machines just so that we can figure out what's going on with our therapy. Some will tell you it's absolutely necessary. I also realize not everyone can afford to get one. If you have a good relationship with your sleep doc, you could ask for a prescription for such a machine (note: some machines that are called "data-capable" only record compliance data (how many hours you used the machine each night) but the truly data-capable machines also collect number of apneas, hypopneas, mask leak rates, etc.

If your doc is agreeable, the next hurdle can be the DME - some will give you the least expensive machine because insurance reimbursement is the same so they have a vested interest in not giving you a really good machine.

A number of forum members have had to do battle with their sleep docs and/or DMEs. You might try some searching and also see what others suggest.

Good luck!
Mindy

[Bluemoon68]

Bonnie:

I know exactly what you mean!

I'm a newbie here and have been reading through the posts for the last few days trying to do some research. I was diagnosed about 4 years ago with OSA and have been using my CPAP on and off. I used the CPAP all the time right after I was diagnosed, but I've become very frustrated with trying to get used to the mask. In addition, I've had lots of problems with swallowing air. Actually, I put the machine in the closet for a year because I was so frustrated.

I'm now trying to make a go at it again, but I've come to the conclusion that I need a new machine. I have a ResMed S7 Lightweight, which is obviously old and outdated at this point.

I've made up my mind that my health and well-being is more important to me than the discomfort and frustration.

Hang in there! Maybe you can get some ideas here.

[bonnietem]

Thanks for the welcome and responses. I'd almost be willing to bet that my pressure, 8, is not enough. I had one night in a sleep lab in DC and was told here use this machine. I have seizures after a brain injury and the hope was that getting rid of the apnea and hypopneas (sp) I might quit having them. Not. I have been very faithful in using my CPAP, although it did take me a looooong time to work up to all night long. None of my doctors ever told me that I need to follow up to make sure everything was going OK. I now realize, duh, that I need to do that. I since moved from DC back to my hometown of Oklahoma City. I don't have a sleep Dr. My primary care Dr. said I don't need to go again to a sleep lab. My neurologist doesn't seem to care either even though I've brought it up many times. I guess I will have to be more forceful with them.

I don't think my mask leaks that much. I use the simple cushion with the Comfort Lite 2. I say that because when I wake up, before I take the mask off it seems fine. I sleep flat on my back almost the whole night.

I could be opening my mouth. I don't know. I'm single so don't have anybody poking me for snoring or loud mouth breathing. On the ocassions I have been in a hotel room or the lovely 5 months I spent living with my father when I moved back to Oklahoma (that's a whole other story!) I didn't get any reports, but maybe nobody has ever noticed.

My stepfather's nephew runs a sleep lab at a hospital here in OKC, I guess I need to give him a call. Then, there's the DME company. I have to call a separate company/service that contracts with a local DME provider. It's a horrible experience just to get a new mask and tubing every six months!

Thanks again for the welcome and posts. I've been browsing around tonight reading all I can.

[kteague]

Bonnietem,

1. Agree on possibility of mouth breathing.
2. Have you been checked for medical problems that could cause you to feel bad?
3. Possibly any issues with limb movements waking you up?
4. Are you getting enough hours of sleep each night?

If it's been 3 years since a study and you're still not feeling better, with your medical history of seizures and a brain injury, I wouldn't want to assume changing pressures was okay. I think another study is in order. Then get a copy of the report so you can go over it and make sure you understand it all. Once that happens others on here can help you sort thru the specifics of the reports.

Kathy

[Guest]

I think Kathy is right on -- in your situation with other things going on, seeing a sleep doc sounds like very wise thing to do at this point.

Mindy