Cognitive function impairment from sleep apnea will i last forever? Will it fully recovered ?

[AnikiB]

I am only 26 years old, I have been snoring my entire life, but in the recent 2 years I found myself wake up at night with rapid heart beat and gasping for air, and last year, I got diagnose with moderate- severe sleep apnea, mixed sleep apnea, probably due to my weight aswell. But recently I feel my cognitive function is scrambled, I can’t read I can’t think straight, I used to be a guy to think thoughts after thoughts, now I can’t even remember what did I think, I couldn’t hold my thoughts. And my mood swing is bad aswell due to the stress I think. Will it ever goes away? I lost my job as an accountant because of this. If it never recover I would forever lost my career as an accountant. Please help me.

[chunkyfrog]

With regular cpap use, my memory and concentration improved so much my BOSS noticed!
My disposition improved enough so that I could tell.
This process took several months, a little at a time, but I am sharper at 72 than I was at 60.
I feel better now than when I was in my thirties.

[zonker]

Will it ever goes away? I lost my job as an accountant because of this. If it never recover I would forever lost my career as an accountant. Please help me.

welcome to the zoo. yes, you WILL get better and your cognitive abilities will return. this takes time. it doesn't happen overnight. it takes time and patience. i wish i could tell you just how long it will take. but each of us is different.

it's going to take some effort on your part, however. it's not just a matter of sleeping with the machine and suddenly, it happens. you're going to have to take control of your own therapy. it may sound hard, but it will be worth it in the end.

first step is we need to know what mask and machine you are using. we don't all use the same. and the advice you are going to be given will depend on what equipment you have. so please take the time to fill in your equipment profile, so it will show up at the bottom of each your posts, as it does on mine below. this will make it easier for forum members to keep track.

if your machine is one that collects data via an sd card, then we can really make some progress with a free software program called OSCAR. but that's putting the cart before the horse. let's see what you have first.

please see the link in my sig about newbies. reading this will help you help us to help you.

good luck!

you can do this.

[Janknitz]

I recently attended the annual meeting of the American Sleep Apnea Association. On the patient panel, Karen Wolk told the story of her cognitive impairment due to sleep apnea and how much it improved with treatment. She had a surgical implant for a device called Inspire--it works like a pacemaker to stimulate her to move her tongue from blocking the airway.

Not everyone needs a surgical implant like this, CPAP may be enough for you. But what I want you to get from her interview is how that improved sleep apnea can have a profound effect on cognitive function.

Her inspiring interview is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pozyDRaE-LI

[Geer1]

As you can see PAP treatment does improve cognitive impairment in many users.

You stated that you have been diagnosed but did not mention if you have yet started treatment. If you have not started treatment I strongly recommend starting. If you have started and just don't feel like you have had improvement then we will need some information to help determine if your current treatment is satisfactory.

As Zonker mentioned the first step is knowing your machine, mask and current settings. How long you have been on PAP treatment will also be helpful.

[Julie]

From some of what you said above, I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to see a therapist, psychologist, etc. because you're obviously quite upset about things whether or not you continue with Cpap, and it could help a lot in getting that going so you can relax about it better.

[CPAPLuv]

I am only 26 years old, I have been snoring my entire life, but in the recent 2 years I found myself wake up at night with rapid heart beat and gasping for air, and last year, I got diagnose with moderate- severe sleep apnea, mixed sleep apnea, probably due to my weight aswell. But recently I feel my cognitive function is scrambled, I can’t read I can’t think straight, I used to be a guy to think thoughts after thoughts, now I can’t even remember what did I think, I couldn’t hold my thoughts. And my mood swing is bad aswell due to the stress I think. Will it ever goes away? I lost my job as an accountant because of this. If it never recover I would forever lost my career as an accountant. Please help me.

Studies have shown that is takes about 3 months for gray matter to repair and up to 1 year for white matter to repair. That is, if you are compliant with your therapy. Hope this helps!

https://aasm.org/brain-damage-caused-by ... eversible/

[Miss Emerita]

CPAPLuv, thanks for that important and encouraging article! AnikiB, the people here can definitely help you, but the next step is up to you. Could you provide information about your machine and mask as Zonker suggested? That would be a big help. Hang in there!