Solution for CPAP/APAP wakeup fatigue and grogginess

[zoocrewphoto]

Sure - as I’ve written a few times, this isn’t a one-size fits all. Apparently my apnea is very mild compared to many people on here.

And some ides don't fit ANY, even if somebody thinks they do.

You are mild. So what? Mild is 5-15 events per hour. Doctors think an ahi of 4 is great. That is still an event, on, average, every 15 minutes. Does that sound healthy? And what if those events are longer with deep cuts in oxygen? It will still be called mild even if it is dangerously bad.

AHI is only one number. And keep in mind that once you turn that machine off, you go back to untreated levels. Even if you think you feel fine, there is damage occurring. We also tend to get worse over time. A few more years, and you could easily be severe.

You seem to think this is a good idea for some people, while those of us who understand sleep apnea and its dangers, understand that it is not a good idea for anybody, even somebody with an ahi of 5. You are welcome to stay and learn.

[Goofproof]

So what, Mild, Severe, What ever, that doesn't mean the next event isn't the one that causes your heart to stop, or failure from the jump start from the a adrenaline rush. It doesn't matter what the bean counters say, if you have Sleep Apnea events over 5, (Bean Counter Numbers again) you are subject to poorer health and death from not treating it.

I don't let Bean Counters chose what is best for me. Jim

[canyouhearmeaya]

LOL. I think you need to go and see a psychiatrist if you can't wrap your head around why this idea is messed up, and if you really think this is an effective solution. Sleep apnea is the last of your worries.

Moral of the story: No one do what OP is reccomending.

[Random CPAP Guy#2]

Dear Random Guy,

You can see from my username what a huge impact your post had on me. For the life of me, I can’t believe the venom that has been directed at you about this. I agree with all of the ways that you characterized them (e.g. f-ing asshole) based on their unbelievably intolerant replies to your post.

I have searched for years for a fix for the relentless grogginess that I feel when using the CPAP. If I take it off in the night or otherwise I have about two hours at the end of the night with it off, I wake up feeling refreshed just like I did before I ever used CPAP. On top of that, I use a pulse oximeter device with my phone that allows me to see just how wonderful the benefits are of using a CPAP at night to easing my apnea. Like night and day. I need the CPAP to manage my sleep apnea, and I must do something about the daytime grogginess.

I’m going to give your suggestion a try, but really, after working with my sleep doctor for a long long time on this, I’m kind of at the end of my rope. I get the hours of sleep that I need 7 1/2 to 8 1/half hours, and I do all the things that you should do to get a good nights sleep. if I go off the CPAP for a few days, the grogginess abates—and my measured apnea gets really really bad. It’s an unbelievable quandary.

I’m willing to put up with an hour and a half to two hours of Apnea a night, I have moderate apnea, to see if the grogginess eases. I’ll give the switch a try that you suggested.Thanks again.

Hi,

I’ve never really posted, though I have read through some sleep apnea forums to try to find a solution to feeling extremely groggy from your CPAP or APAP machine. I have a ResMed Airsense 10 that I started using 6 months ago. I definitely have enjoyed the benefits, but I found that I was sleeping through alarms and taking hours to feel normal again. Prior to my ResMed machine, I could literally wake up at any time with an internal alarm clock in my head if I knew when I needed to be up. So, after realizing this new problem, I started putting triple Keurig doses (yes, cold black un-fresh coffee) next to my bed ready to go, multiple alarms, etc. I read on several forums about some mobile apps that help to get you out of your deep sleep gradually using progressively increasing sounds and white noise. I tried all of these, but none of these really worked (and in addition, the alarms woke up others in the house.) I would often fall asleep even after downing the coffee, turning on lights, etc.

I don’t know all the science behind it, but I know these machines get you into a really deep sleep state, and it is somewhat artificially regulated because it’s not the same sleep you’d get naturally. I believe I read that the sleep cycles are fixed for something like 30-45 minutes.

So here is the solution I found:

I went on Amazon and bought a Smart Wi-Fi electrical switch. There are many on there, and I’m not trying to peddle any brand. I believe the one I bought was called (Edited by mod : to remove brand name). The switch is a simple on/off circuit that you can control with your mobile device, and you can also set a schedule. So, if I want to wake up at 7:00 AM, I set the schedule on the smart switch to shut off (hence turn off the machine) at around 5:30....I’m sure I could experiment more to find the range of possibilities, but that may be for each individual. At 5:30, my ResMed shuts off, though I still sleep just fine and don’t wake up. During that time, though, my sleep seems to transition to a more natural state. Then a low volume alarm or smart phone vibration at 7:00 wakes me up and I am much more alert, ready to start the day like I was prior to using my machine.

Hope this helps.

[Pugsy]

Zombie thread alert folks.

[lazarus]

Zombie thread alert folks.

Thanks.

I guess maybe this is the weekend for that sort of thing.

[KittyMom22]

Hi,

I’ve never really posted, though I have read through some sleep apnea forums to try to find a solution to feeling extremely groggy from your CPAP or APAP machine. I have a ResMed Airsense 10 that I started using 6 months ago. I definitely have enjoyed the benefits, but I found that I was sleeping through alarms and taking hours to feel normal again. Prior to my ResMed machine, I could literally wake up at any time with an internal alarm clock in my head if I knew when I needed to be up. So, after realizing this new problem, I started putting triple Keurig doses (yes, cold black un-fresh coffee) next to my bed ready to go, multiple alarms, etc. I read on several forums about some mobile apps that help to get you out of your deep sleep gradually using progressively increasing sounds and white noise. I tried all of these, but none of these really worked (and in addition, the alarms woke up others in the house.) I would often fall asleep even after downing the coffee, turning on lights, etc.

I'm sorry if I missed it but have you tried those lighted alarm clocks that simulate the sunrise before the alarm goes off? So not a sound, but a light? That wouldn't wake up your family. I have one. It really does gradually fill the room with a sun-like glow.