Head is in the fog

[fliptopbacon]

I was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and I just finished my 6th night on CPAP. After my titration, I woke up feeling great! I couldn't wait to get my CPAP and reap the benefits of it. After my first few nights I woke up feeling good, being a much more productive member of society. That is until the past couple of nights. I have apparently slipped back into the fog. I am anxious, feel like my head is in the fog, I am weak, I am extremely irritable, and can't stop yawning.

I have been very tolerant to the change. I can put on my mask and get to sleep within 15 minutes, sleep 8 hours, and so far I have only waken up once per night. I have not had any mask leakage issues, and until now, I would almost look forward to getting in bed and putting on the mask.

I am reaching out for any advice or stories that might help me in my struggles. I know that not using the machine is not an option. Unfortunately I cannot provide any sleep quality numbers, as I was bricked by my DME, even though she told me that the machine was data capable.

I appreciate any advice anyone could give me. You guys have helped me out so much already!

[Pugsy]

Unfortunately I cannot provide any sleep quality numbers, as I was bricked by my DME, even though she told me that the machine was data capable.

Tell her she "misinformed" you and you want to exchange the brick for a full data machine because you aren't doing well and there may be something show up on the data that might explain it.

yeah...it's data capable...but the only data it is capable of is hours of use and nothing else. Big whoopie.

Otherwise without anything to go own we are purely speculating and that doesn't do anyone much good.

You can evaluate hours of use...how many hours are you using it and more importantly of those hours are you waking often? Has anything changed? Still getting 8 hours or so and still sleeping soundly?
Anything changed in your routine? Meds or time asleep and wake up?

[avi123]

There are more good things that you're talking about than bad. About: "I am anxious, feel like my head is in the fog, I am weak, I am extremely irritable, and can't stop yawning" Well this is the nature of the beast. Please try to be nice to other family members. My wife took me to see a shrink when I was obnoxious like that when starting with my Brick 4 years ago. He put me on Xanax to quiet me down. I would give your situation more time (a few months). I doubt it that an S9 Elite (fully data capable) would expedite normalizing your feeling. You'll be wasting your time fooling around with machine adjustments. Ask your DME if they would consider swapping your Brick with an S9 Elite as I did after 3 months. After all, they do want you as a customer for a couple of years. Give them some compliments.

[fliptopbacon]

I seem to be sleeping well with the machine. Last night I got 7.6 hours. I woke up once and went right back to sleep. It seems I am getting good sleep because I will wake up in the same position that I went to sleep in and be sore from not tossing and turning like I did pre-CPAP. So I don't believe that there is anything wrong with my therapy. Other than this, nothing has changed from my normal routine. The only medication that I take is Metformin for my diabetes.

I already talked with my DME and she said that they do not provide models with efficacy data unless the doctor specifically calls for it in the prescription. So, I made an appointment and talked with him and he doesn't understand why I would want to do that. I am just kicking myself because I did not find out what a brick was until the second day that I had the machine. If I had known, I would have refused it. Unfortunately I bought the machine outright instead of renting(which was not an option), so they have no reason to take it back.

One thing I noticed last night, while falling asleep, was air pressure entering my middle ear. I swallowed and the air came rushing in and so far this morning I cannot get it out. I have tried yawning, chewing gum, holding my nose and blowing, nothing is helping. I can see how this might throw off my balance and make me feel not so great. I guess maybe it's time for a visit to an ENT.

Thanks for the replies, it's much appreciated!

[Julie]

Tell your doctor that just as a diabetic tracks her own progress, you'd like to be able to do the same thing - it's your body and your OSA!

[avi123]

del

[fliptopbacon]

Please remind me what data could you get from the S9 Escape with the: •S9 Escape allows users to store compliance data for up to 365 sessions

Exactly that. Compliance data. It shows hours of use, nights used, and number of night over 4 hours of use.

I am wondering what could an ENT do about your problem of air getting trapped in your middle ear?

I have heard that some ENT specialists have recommended tubes in the ears to alleviate this. Kind of like a kid with excessive ear infections.

[Pugsy]

If money permits...STL Mark has a S9 AutoSet brand new for sale.
viewtopic/t98609/For-Sale--New-DS560-at ... t-550.html

If that's too steep of a price right now there are ways to get gently used machines.
Secondwindcpap.com would be a potential choice...check them out...your plain cpap RX would allow you to get either the Elite or the AutoSet with them. You could buy just the machine and use your existing humidifier and the Escape could be delegated to back up status or travel machine.
You can also keep an eye out on your local craigslist for a S9 full data machine...might take a bit to find a good deal but they are out there.

You are probably correct with your DME...since you bought the machine outright they aren't going to want to take it back. I would be madder than hell at them for selling me the brick and being so obstinate and when I get mad I usually get even....they wouldn't be getting any other business from me. No masks, no hose, no filters...no nothing. Small revenge I know but I would feel better.

[avi123]

Please remind me what data could you get from the S9 Escape with the: •S9 Escape allows users to store compliance data for up to 365 sessions

Exactly that. Compliance data. It shows hours of use, nights used, and number of night over 4 hours of use.

I am wondering what could an ENT do about your problem of air getting trapped in your middle ear?

I have heard that some ENT specialists have recommended tubes in the ears to alleviate this. Kind of like a kid with excessive ear infections.

comment,
I know about inserting grommets in the eardrums, but I don't know how will it interact with the CPAP machine beside adding another source of leak.

Check these:

Eustachian tube function in patients receiving continuous positive airway pressure treatment for sleep apnea syndrome.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21144374

and

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22252535