CPAP for 4 months...why am I so tired again?

[sleepawake]

Hi -

I've been a CPAP user for 4 months now and things have been going well - the usual bumps in the road but overall a big improvement. Just recently though, I've noticed I'm very fatigued and taking frequent naps again.

What's behind this? Could a leaky mask be the culprit? Or could it be a normal set-back that a lot of folks run into?

I have the ResMed Elite II with Swift LT nasal pillow mask.

Thanks!

[OutaSync]

I think that you would need to look at your leak numbers and see if you are having a problem there. Do you have, or can you get a hold of the software for your machine?

[Babette]

I highly recommend buying a new mask or replacement seal. Sounds very much like your mask is breaking down.

Cheers,
B.

[kteague]

Mask leaks and mouth breathing are possible culprits. Do your numbers show your AHI to be acceptable? If those things are addressed, you may want to be checked for anything medical going on that can cause tiredness, like thyroid, diabetes, anemia, etc.

More as a side note, were there any indications of limb movements in your studies? They can interfere with feeling rested.

Addressing my mouth leaks made a difference for me.

Kathy

[Wulfman]

Hi -

I've been a CPAP user for 4 months now and things have been going well - the usual bumps in the road but overall a big improvement. Just recently though, I've noticed I'm very fatigued and taking frequent naps again.

What's behind this? Could a leaky mask be the culprit? Or could it be a normal set-back that a lot of folks run into?

I have the ResMed Elite II with Swift LT nasal pillow mask.

Thanks!

What Kathy said. When someone shows up complaining of not feeling improvement (or their therapy is backsliding) and they're using a nasal mask, my first thoughts go to mouth-leaking.
Ever wake up with a dry mouth?
Also, if a person uses too much humidity, it can have the effect of closing up one's nasal passages......prompting them to open their mouth to breathe.

Den

[tillymarigold]

How well and how often have you been cleaning your mask seal? If I were in your position, the seal would be my first guess.

Even if the machine says the numbers are OK, that doesn't mean it's not less good than it was before.

[sagesteve]

I agree with Kathy...look at OTHER things. The thyroid is a good bet. It's an ongoing battle to achieve a "balance"! Your thyroid numbers can be in "range" but that doesn't mean it's good for YOU. I've gotten my thyroid into the UPPER range, much like when I was in my 20's...I'm 61 now. I feel GREAT! My AHI numbers run 0.03 to 0.04. I was on CPAP for 8 months and I'd still start to fall asleep on the couch in the afternoon now and then. Never quite felt "right"...UNTIL I addressed my thyroid. I was always suspicious. I was right. I've also lost 45 pounds and continue to drop the weight and eat right...it's "balance".

[sleepawake]

Sorry for not responding sooner - been traveling a lot the past couple weeks.

Quick update: I managed to take my equipment into the shop where I purchased it and discovered a few things:

1) No leaks have been recorded the past month.
2) AHI and all other data they could read off the machine were excellent.
3) Learned that humidity control could be at center of this. I have been pretty much ignoring my humidity setting and either turning it off completely or traveling without the humidifer. Got some tips on how to adjust humidity.
4) Discovered that the nasal pillow had a defect (one of the baffles was missing). Got a replacement.
5) Revealed that I'm a lazy so-and-so that doesn't properly care for the nasal pillow (daily cleaning) and was probably breaking down the integrity of the mask. I will try harder. I can tell the difference in seal quality with the replacement nasal pillow.

Regarding thyroid though - no data on that. I suppose that could be behind part of this but that's never been something that I've ever had concerns with. What drives a thyroid problem - should I have that checked or would it be overkill for me? I'm relatively young (39) and in great health and within an acceptable (average) BMI/weight for my height.

Thank you all for your incredible insights - very valuable and in many cases - right on the money!

[DaveL]

Sorry for not responding sooner - been traveling a lot the past couple weeks.

Quick update: I managed to take my equipment into the shop where I purchased it and discovered a few things:

1) No leaks have been recorded the past month.
2) AHI and all other data they could read off the machine were excellent.
3) Learned that humidity control could be at center of this. I have been pretty much ignoring my humidity setting and either turning it off completely or traveling without the humidifer. Got some tips on how to adjust humidity.
4) Discovered that the nasal pillow had a defect (one of the baffles was missing). Got a replacement.
5) Revealed that I'm a lazy so-and-so that doesn't properly care for the nasal pillow (daily cleaning) and was probably breaking down the integrity of the mask. I will try harder. I can tell the difference in seal quality with the replacement nasal pillow.

Regarding thyroid though - no data on that. I suppose that could be behind part of this but that's never been something that I've ever had concerns with. What drives a thyroid problem - should I have that checked or would it be overkill for me? I'm relatively young (39) and in great health and within an acceptable (average) BMI/weight for my height.

Thank you all for your incredible insights - very valuable and in many cases - right on the money!

Hi Neighbour!
I've used cpap for 9 years. Unlike our US cousins, we're stuck with a mask for a long time here in Ontario. I used 3 in 9 years...and had to buy the 2nd and 3rd myself.
It's good you found you had a problem with nasal pillows. I used a Breeze for about 4 years. You may have something different. When I followed my new (at the time) sleep doc's suggestion--keep it simple, buy a nasal mask--things improved a lot.
My sleep doc says up to 15 apnea events per hour is ok. However, if I have to wear that darn thing and listen to my leaf=blower I want a cure!
I'm a sometimes mouth breather. There are straps you can get to hold your mouth closed...and early cpap users used to use duct tape.

I live just west of the Toronto airport fwiw...