Time for Surgery?

[sybert1ger]

I've been on CPAP for almost two years now. According to the data collected by my machine and a follow on sleep study conducted by my doctor, the CPAP is effectively treating my sleep apnea.

Yet, I still feel like crap every day.

I've been on provigil and various stimulants. I've been tested for a bunch of different things. Nothing has helped. I'm getting very frustrated.

I'm starting to think that even though the apnea is being treated that the CPAP machine and mask might be preventing from really sleeping. I first had this thought when I had my machine set to APAP mode. The apnea seemed to be treated but I think the changes in pressure from the machine were impacting my sleep.

Now I'm thinking that my best course of action might be to treat the apnea with surgery but I'm reluctant to do so when i really have no idea why I still feel like crap. I'd hate to go through with it and and still the same way.

[randyd501]

Sleep Apnea is a major cause of depression in many people. Before surgery I would go seek help and maybe try an anti depressant such as lexapro. I just started my therapy and was diagnosed with severe apnea (been walking around like a zombie for years). Anyway between the Lexapro and my Resmed Apap i do feel so much better...not 100% but take it 1 day at a time! FYI -I was also diagnosed with Glaucoma and that was also probably caused by my Apnea
Good luck to you whatever your choices are!

[sybert1ger]

Thanks for the thought. I've actually been on Lexapro for over a year now. My psychiatrist has tried a number of different antidepressants without much luck. The Lexapro helps me with anxiety but I still feel tired and crappy.

[Goofproof]

I'd rather fix what was going wrong with my treatment, rather than roto-rooting my face. I might let them do that , only after I'm dead. Using a nasal mask, do you have the software and reader to find out what's wrong..... Jim

[sybert1ger]

I have the software and reader. I've used several different masks. The software shows my apnea is under control. My AHI hovers between 1.0 and 2.0. I had a followup sleep study while on CPAP and my doctor was satisfied that nothing else was going on while I slept. None of the doctors I go to have been able to figure anything out.

[kteague]

You may have already considered these things, but just in case... Any chance you're mouth breathing? On any med known to disrupt sleep? Any mention in your studies of signs of limb movements? You did change your machine to cpap mode, right?

In this length of time, it would seem you would have gotten used to the equipment enough to not have it be the cause of your poor sleep. I can understand you being hesitant to count on surgery making a difference in how you feel.

You said that you've been tested for other things - maybe ask your doctor what things were not tested for and continue seeking another cause. Also, look over your sleep studies for any clues. If your apneas are treated and thus not disrupting your sleep, what does your sleep architecture look like, your arousals, etc. If it doesn't show many arousals and shows a normal sleep architecture, your tiredness may have an unrelated cause. Otherwise, I think I'd ask the sleep doctor to take another look and try to help you.

Hope you find answers soon.

Kathy

[jskinner]

Thanks for the thought. I've actually been on Lexapro for over a year now.

Are you sure the Lexapro isn't part of the reason you still feel like crap? All the SSRIs affect sleep, in particular REM.

[bairdbeth]

I've been using CPAP for a couple of years and feel the same way. My AHI is anywhere from 0.2 to 1.5, but I still feel crappy. I recently had to be cleared for ankle surgery and ended up having a heart catheterization that showed secondary pulmonary hypertension due to sleep apnea. The doctor's feel this may be contributing to my crappy feeling. I have several appointments set up with my various specialist (cardiologist, pulmonologist/sleep specialist, primary care and gastroenterologist) I am thinking that I may need to make sure other problems are completely resolved before the CPAP therapy can be fully benefitial ( I will however, continue to faithfully use my machine every night) I guess my advice is to make sure you don't have any other non- sleep related issue that are affecting you. I understand your frustration, just keep digging for further info!

[JeffH]

I would suggest running it on straight cpap and see if you don't feel better. Lots of us don't do well on apap because of the pressure changes. I didn't.

JeffH

[nate fry]

Better late than never. I had the same problem. I have been on cpap for 6 years. I was scared to death after talking to the ent the first time. But got hooked on nose spray. I decided to get my nose ( septum) fixed but insurance wanted another sleep study. After taking it I had a really bad night. I decided to have surgery. I told the ent to look at me tell me the best action and lets do it. I got my septum fixed, radio frequency treatment in sinus cavity tissue, removed tonsils, reconstructed uvula, and did the uppp or when they move your tongue forward. It is about 3 weeks later my sinus are starting to really open up. I don't choke any more. I have to say I think even though cpap is good and I will probably still use it but I don't have to now and I did before and I am not even healed all the way yet. Still a lot of swelling. The tonsils really hurt, the rest not that bad. I think this was a good decision and am betting my life on it. If you have any questions , feel free to ask.