my memory has gotten worse since using cpap!

deepurpleprincess · Post by **deepurpleprincess** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:37 am

I was hoping since I started cpap that without the brain fog I would be able to function better. I can to a point. My memory is so bad sometimes that I literaly stand there scratching my head trying to figure out what the heck I was going to do or say. I mean it's getting pretty bad. Maybe it's the lack of oxygen for all those years and the fact that I have been on antidepressents for so long. I am only 28 I souldn't have this bad of a memory! I guess it's either that or suffocate at night while I sleep. It's just weird that memory is now starting to go and not before treatment.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:15 am

Maybe you need to discuss it with your family doctor and see what he thinks, and whether he might refer you to a specialist of some kind.

new-to-BiPAP · Post by **new-to-BiPAP** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:47 am

I am only 33 and since starting my cpap my memory and daytime sleepiness has been worse. they found out that i haven't been tolerating my cpap very well and are still making changes and trying to 'tweak' things to help. did your titration show that you slept better? Mine showed it was worse. Just curious...

danmc · Post by **danmc** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:53 am

I think Julie's advice is good - get it checked, can't hurt. But so you don't worry too much I feel a bit like you do too and I'mnot that old - 36 - I'm fairly new to cpap and it seems like memory has fogged up worse and my head feels like its a balloon (psychological? LOL). I think there are probably a few reasons, initially less sleep while you get used to things, more stress and worry on your mind about cpap etc etc.

I recently made an appointment to get checked out by my GP - I will ask for a referral to a specialist next so I can stop worrying. I also went and found a heap of those memory games to play to improve my memory. I figure once you decide your memory is bad it probably tends to stay bad or get worse, but once you decide to work on it it tends to get better.

Also, lots of people have bad memories but they maybe aren't focused on it. Apnea diagnosis makes us suddenly examine everything more closely. I suspect I have had a bad memory for a long time, maybe laziness - but apnea has me wondering if I have deeper problems. The brain is resilient, I (and I bet you) will be ok whatever the true cause, with a little practice.

deerslayer · Post by **deerslayer** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:07 am

Julie wrote:Maybe you need to discuss it with your family doctor and see what he thinks, and whether he might refer you to a specialist of some kind.

YES unless you have someone that can read the data on your smart card(if you have one)or you have the software and reader. you are fllying blind-leak data,etc. & have no idea if the therapy is affective. ....from listening to your body you talk as though it is not working for you

danmc · Post by **danmc** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:42 am

Hmm good point Deerslayer. Maybe badly managed cpap is worse than no cpap in some respects - like memory?

I kinda assume any cpap is better than no cpap. Maybe thats a bad assumption to make.

I wish the software and cables/readers etc were supplied with the machines for people. I love having the software now as its much easier to gauge what is working.

mellabella · Post by **mellabella** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:43 am

Have you gotten any benefits from CPAP therapy? (i.e. is there any indication at all that it's working?)

It sounds like you're still sleep deprived and need a follow-up.

OutaSync · Post by **OutaSync** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:47 am

Maybe you memory was failing prior to CPAP, but you don't remember it.

I knpw my memory has suffered from 30 years of undiagnosed sleep anea. I can't remember common words in the middle of a sentence. My BF says that talking to me is like playing "fill in the blanks." VERY frustrating and very scarey.

B

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:55 am

new-to-BiPAP wrote:I am only 33 and since starting my cpap my memory and daytime sleepiness has been worse. they found out that i haven't been tolerating my cpap very well and are still making changes and trying to 'tweak' things to help. did your titration show that you slept better? Mine showed it was worse. Just curious...

You have a nasal mask listed in your profile.......
Have you determined that you're NOT mouth-leaking/breathing? If you're leaking your therapy air out your mouth, no amount of "tweaking" will help.

That's the biggest reason people complain about this therapy not working for them. Most of the time, doctors and others are clueless about why it isn't......consequently they keep playing with the pressure and that's not the problem.

Den

danmc · Post by **danmc** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:57 am

Hmm. Sounds familiar to me Outasync but why would it be permanent? I thought the old idea that the brain doesn't repair itself was proven to be wrong anyways.

Dunno about you guys but wondering if I can't remember if I couldn't remember before cpap might give me brain ache personally. I'm gonna keep going with the puzzles

Not to be flippant about your concerns, but maybe its only the games of "fill in the blanks" that is keeping your BF's memory in better shape than yours

danmc · Post by **danmc** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:58 am

On the mouth breathing thing, would that show up as leaks if it was bad enough to have an effect?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:13 am

danmc wrote:On the mouth breathing thing, would that show up as leaks if it was bad enough to have an effect?

ONLY if you have a machine that will give that information......
"deepurpleprincess" has the M Series Plus C-Flex CPAP Machine and I don't know if the machine "new-to-BiPAP" has (GoodKnight 425 Bilevel) gives that information either......it's pretty marginal (if any) on sleep data.

Den

jules · Post by **jules** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:15 pm

Many medications, especially pysch meds will affect memory too. Maybe in seeing your doctor, you need to reassess the meds you take.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:29 pm

say what you want, but I'd start by replacing that Quattro.

I felt like hell using it also, main reason I sold it to someone else besides it leaking like a sieve from the elbow.

What is your current pressure being used?
What pressure was found on your PSG?
Got another mask you can use?

And I'd get off those antidepressants like pronto. Read the side effects of the drug you are taking, nearly all of them cause memory loss.

Increase your B vitamins a B-50 would be good.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:47 pm

I have noticed some memory loss from my psychotropic medicine regime. I would like to say that stopping such medications may not be prudent. Some should be tapered off, some are pretty necessary, and B-50 and other vitamins will NOT do much for serious brain chemistry disorders. Very few of us here are doctors, let alone specialists in treating brain chemistry imbalances or deficits.

That said, unfortunately very few psychiatrists seem to be good doctors for many of us. Those of us who need such care should be aware that we need to be assertive about our medical care. (Unfortunately, this need occurs just when our brain chemicals make that a very difficult proposition.)

For me, and for many others, there is very little option considering medications. Our options are as clear as for those using CPAP.

Very sincerely,

Karen,
Who wishes that she had an option

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: straight cpap 12.20 AHI avg.0.79