Stats 6 months in...still waking up tired...any thoughts?

[jarablue]

I seem to be waking up still tired. I think I am having leaks (posted earlier in this forum) but I wanted to see how I was doing 6 months into cpap and was hoping someone could tell me by looking at the data. I am a 3rd shift worker and normally get to sleep around 10 or 11am to 6pm at night. Here are my files.

[robysue]

I seem to be waking up still tired. I think I am having leaks (posted earlier in this forum) but I wanted to see how I was doing 6 months into cpap and was hoping someone could tell me by looking at the data. I am a 3rd shift worker and normally get to sleep around 10 or 11am to 6pm at night. Here are my files. (emphasis added)

You self report that you typically sleep around 7 to 8 hours. Or at least you are in bed that long?

And yet, the median usage of the machine on the days the machine is used is only 4:10. In other words, on half the days you do use the machine, you are using it for LESS THAN or EQUAL TO a total of four hours and ten minutes---that's roughly 60% of your self-reported minimum sleep time of 7 hours in bed.

And, even more telling, the data shows that you actually use the machine more than four hours on only 49% of the total days. On 7% (11/165) of the days in the reporting period, you didn't use the machine at all. Notably four of those mask-less days occurred in the last month. On 44% (72/165) days you used the machine, but you used it for less than four hours.

So what's the most likely reason you are still feeling tired? Most likely you are sleeping without the mask on for significant periods of time. And that means you are still having significant periods of SDB----complete with all the apneas, hypopneas, RERAs, flow limitations, and snoring that were present during your diagnostic test for OSA.

To put it bluntly: The CPAP can't make you feel any better if you only use it part time. You need to wear the mask every time you sleep and you need to use it for the entire time you sleep instead of only half the time.

And yes, leaks are a problem: Your 90% leak rate is right at ResMed's RedLine. You may or may not leaking enough to make Mr. Red Frowny Face show up in the sleep quality report, but your leak data shows enough leaks to be causing some rather significant comfort problems (which may be part of why you're not sleeping with the mask 100% of the time) and could be enough to adversely affect the quality of your therapy on some of the worst days.

[Pugsy]

Ditto to everything Robysue has said.

[Mary Z]

In addition to the previous very pertinent points there is somethin called Shift Work Disorder which can be treated with a wakefullness drug which would help you stay awake and alert during your work shift. These are (two used) Nuvigil and Provigil. They will not wake you up, or give you energy, but will help you stay awake.

Is there any specific problem we could help you with to help you keep the mask and machine on the whole time you sleep?

[jarablue]

I'd like to know how to get my leaks under control. I think that is why I am taking off my mask. I don't even realize I am taking it off. I just wake up and it's off.

What do you guys recommend for controlling leaks? Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

[ozij]

I am a 3rd shift worker and normally get to sleep around 10 or 11am to 6pm at night. Here are my files.

I'd like to know how to get my leaks under control. I think that is why I am taking off my mask. I don't even realize I am taking it off. I just wake up and it's off.

Getting your leaks under control:
Read the mask fitting instructions again - and follow them
Wash your face scrupulously before you go to be
Consider a change of the type of pillow you use for your head -
Consider a change in the way you route your hose.

Remember: you may need a different mask from the one you have - in size, in model or in type.

[jarablue]

It seems that I have the masks straps on pretty tight. When I am going to sleep I can feel the masking leaking when I am breathing out. Is there other large masks like the forma full face mask?

I don't mind trying a new mask but I have to get the leaks under control. Maybe I should tighten the straps even more? I am thinking of setting up another sleep test.

In the beginning everything was working good. Then about 3 months I started becoming tired again.

[Lizistired]

Are you using SmartStart? If you are the machine turns off when you take the mask off, and you are less likely to hear it blowing and put it back on.
Also, if you want your days to not show split, you can set your clock ahead 12 hours.

[robysue]

It seems that I have the masks straps on pretty tight. When I am going to sleep I can feel the masking leaking when I am breathing out. Is there other large masks like the forma full face mask?

I don't mind trying a new mask but I have to get the leaks under control. Maybe I should tighten the straps even more? I am thinking of setting up another sleep test.

It sounds counterintuitive, but maybe you have the straps too tight. Over tightening straps can lead to leak problems and tightening the straps even more can make the leaks worse.

Maybe you should re-read the fitting guide that came with your mask and make a conscious effort to not simply tighten the straps every time you feel a leak.

As for other large masks like the forma FFM you are currently using, have you spent some time reading through the 20+ FFM that cpap.com has for sale? Maybe if you look through the descriptions and pictures you will find something similar enough to catch your eye, but still different enough to fit better than the mask you currently have.

[ozij]

Maskliners also help against leaks.