CHANGE IN SLEEP QUALITY

[OZZ]

I HAVE BEEN USING A CPAP FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS AND HAVE GOTTEN SOME VERY GOOD REST HOWEVER, ABOUT A MONTH AGO (WHEN SUMMER TURNED INTO FALL) I STARTED WAKEING UP WITH THE SAME OLD "TON OF BRICKS FEELING IN THE HEAD" THAT I USE TO HAVE BEFORE THE CPAP. FOR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS, WITH THE CPAP, I WOKE UP COMPLETELY REFRESHED, USUALLY AT 4 TO 5 AM. NOW I FIND MYSELF WAKING UP LATER AND GOING THROUGH THE DAY WITH A SLUGGISH MIND, JUST LIKE BEFORE THE CPAP. I DO NOT HOWEVER, PASSOUT ANYMORE, SO THE QUALITY OF SLEEP IS STILL VERY MUCH IMPROVED.
HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERISENCED THIS?
OZZ

[Julie]

A few things... you haven't said what machine you're using, what your pressures are, what mask you're using, and whether or not your mouth falls open when you sleep (it can be very important). Post all the info. the same way others have (it'll appear below your posts auto.) on your profile page and we'll all know what you're doing and be able to advise you. Also, unless you have sight problems, is there a reason you're capitalizing everything? It translates to shouting when on the 'net .

[vdol52]

Hi Ozz,
We do need to see what kind of machine, mask, you have in order to help you. CPAP therapy is highly variable. What works at one time may not always work. That is why it is important to get a card reader and the software up and running so that you can moniter your own therapy. If you need help with any of that just ask. There are some very knowledgeable people on this forum who spend hours "giving back".

[Guest]

Sorry forthe lack of info...
I use a Fisher paykel HC234 with the humidifier and a hudson RCI Naisal Pillow system.
My pressure's are 4 ramped up to 9 after 20 minutes.
I think that the heat is set at 2.
I did not change the heater setting when the weather changed here in Houston (lower humidity). I have had disturbed sleep since fall began...almost to the day.
i dont believe that my mouth drops open at night but I could be wrong. My tounge seems to completely seal my mouth when my mouth is slightly open though.
Amy sugestions would be appriciated.
Greg

[skittles]

Do you have some type of insomnia on top of sleep apena??- I use my CPAP faithfully, but some nights I toss and turn, wake up every other hour, so of course I am not rested and feel like my head is "stuffed with fluff".

When I do sleep, the sleep is so much more rested and I wake up feeling great.

This is a hit and miss thing, I don't think anyone has a "perfect" night, but I could be wrong.

Take Care

Skittles

[Guest]

Hi,
No insonmia and for the first 3-4 months of use sleep was perfect..except that i went through a period of wakeing between 3-5am completely refreshed and ready to go. Didn't knkow what to do with myself that early.

[cpapsue]

This is the first time I've heard anyone mention the 'ton of bricks feeling in the head'. I've complained to doctors for several years about the heavy feeling in my head and they just stare back. I was hoping that this would stop once I get started with cpap - can I expect a clear head again?

Is this a common complaint of OSA?

[Guest]

This is the first time I've heard anyone mention the 'ton of bricks feeling in the head'. I've complained to doctors for several years about the heavy feeling in my head and they just stare back. I was hoping that this would stop once I get started with cpap - can I expect a clear head again?

Is this a common complaint of OSA?

My "ton of bricks" completely cleared up along with my extreme "dim wit" and I was once again awake and able to respond with wit and off the collar reactions. The joy of life returned for the first 4 months of use. Now I tend to be a little groggy again, which sucks.
All help is appricated.
Thanks,
Greg

[ozij]

What you're describing may either be the result of the cpap no longer doing it's job, or another health problem. The latter can only be handled by a doctor.

If it's your cpap, a few possibilities come to mind:
Congestion caused by seasonal allergies
Lack of humidity now that the air about you is not as humid
Conversly, to much humidity condensing in the hose because the air is cooler - the means you need a hose cover or a heated hose to maintain the relative humidity you had in the summer.
You've started mouth leaking - the air can zoom out of semi-open lips.
A change in your weight - gain making you need more pressure, loss making you need less. To much pressure can disrupt your sleep too.
Or just a need for more pressure.

Since your machine doesn't report your breathing and your leak data, you'll have to play it by ear. Make small changes and keep them for a week or two to see their impact on your sleep.

O.