Cognitive Issues Following CPAP Therapy

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Joe A
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Cognitive Issues Following CPAP Therapy

Post by Joe A » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:14 pm

Folks:

Any of you folks experience this and if you did what did you do about it?

After sleeping with my CPAP machine I often wake up groggy and have ADD type symptoms. I seem to be disoriented, cant stay on task, and pretty much out of it not being able to concentrate. I usually return to normal around 4 PM, but by then my work day is ruined. I often find myself at the office until 9 PM to get caught up on the work I couldn't get done in the AM.

I know I am not alone here because I have polled a few of my fellow "Hoseheads" and they have noted the same thing happenening to them. I have talked to my Pulmonologist about that and he says he has never heard of such a thing, so he is no help whatsoever. I am currently on straight CPAP at 12 CM and use a full face mask (Resmed Mirage Ultra).

I feel my therapy is working, as I no longer wake up with a sore throat, for the most part don't remember dreams and I suck down an entire tank of distilled water using my heated humidifier. However, If I have an important meeting I often skip my CPAP therapy, because tired is better than stupid.


Lee22633
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Post by Lee22633 » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:54 pm

Joe, I just read a bunch of techy stuff about Central Sleep Apnea, and some of your symptoms kinda sound familiar. Like why a whole tank of water? How much is that? When was the last time you saw your specialist about your SA? Seen a printout in the last while? I mean, either you're drinking it or you're breathing way too much to use up the whole tank. Why not call the maker and see what the norm is for a person your size.

The sore throat was or is an issue with CSA, and the fact that you should be waking up chipper and full of spunk. I myself have had problems with getting and keeping things in my head. But some of that might be the drugs I'm on. LOL!

Car Accident, Soft tissue injury, Occipital Nerve damage, Chronic Pain, Hypoxia and neuromuscular problems, and 14 blind doctors got me here.

tbone106
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Re: Cognitive Issues Following CPAP Therapy

Post by tbone106 » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:13 pm

[quote="Joe A"]Folks:

Any of you folks experience this and if you did what did you do about it?

After sleeping with my CPAP machine I often wake up groggy and have ADD type symptoms. I seem to be disoriented, cant stay on task, and pretty much out of it not being able to concentrate. I usually return to normal around 4 PM, but by then my work day is ruined. I often find myself at the office until 9 PM to get caught up on the work I couldn't get done in the AM.

I know I am not alone here because I have polled a few of my fellow "Hoseheads" and they have noted the same thing happenening to them. I have talked to my Pulmonologist about that and he says he has never heard of such a thing, so he is no help whatsoever. I am currently on straight CPAP at 12 CM and use a full face mask (Resmed Mirage Ultra).

I feel my therapy is working, as I no longer wake up with a sore throat, for the most part don't remember dreams and I suck down an entire tank of distilled water using my heated humidifier. However, If I have an important meeting I often skip my CPAP therapy, because tired is better than stupid.


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ozij
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Post by ozij » Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:24 pm

The sore throat was or is an issue with CSA,
First time I've heard of that, and I wouldn't trust it unless I saw a link to a reliable source.

Joe, if you don't have a data tracking machine, get one, that will let you check your results and see how the correlate with what you feel during the day.
O.


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Guest

Post by Guest » Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:46 pm

Hi,

Is a after effect of high pressure for your prescriptions and if you are using respronics the water tank can be all use up if you set at 2 or more as respronic pap is a sucker and also could be your mount was open-leaking. the brain is getting the oxygen now and new development to your sypnaps in the brain. one of the best way to stay get back to stay focus id exercise during the morning....try this and check back again here.

mckooi

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Snoredog
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Re: Cognitive Issues Following CPAP Therapy

Post by Snoredog » Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:56 pm

Joe A wrote:Folks:

Any of you folks experience this and if you did what did you do about it?

After sleeping with my CPAP machine I often wake up groggy and have ADD type symptoms. I seem to be disoriented, cant stay on task, and pretty much out of it not being able to concentrate. I usually return to normal around 4 PM, but by then my work day is ruined. I often find myself at the office until 9 PM to get caught up on the work I couldn't get done in the AM.

I know I am not alone here because I have polled a few of my fellow "Hoseheads" and they have noted the same thing happenening to them. I have talked to my Pulmonologist about that and he says he has never heard of such a thing, so he is no help whatsoever. I am currently on straight CPAP at 12 CM and use a full face mask (Resmed Mirage Ultra).

I feel my therapy is working, as I no longer wake up with a sore throat, for the most part don't remember dreams and I suck down an entire tank of distilled water using my heated humidifier. However, If I have an important meeting I often skip my CPAP therapy, because tired is better than stupid.
what was your titration found pressure? what is also 12 cm?

are you taking ANY medications, supplements etc.?

have any difficulty falling asleep?

if you want to sharpen your mind consider vitamin B 50 complex supplement, make sure it has a good amount of folic acid or folate.

someday science will catch up to what I'm saying...

Country4ever
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Post by Country4ever » Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:36 am

Yes, I too have gotten considerably stupider since starting CPAP a year ago. I was thinking it was my age (58) or my ADD.......but I don't like it at all.
Maybe when we get better sleep, we just are able to REALIZE how stupid we are.
Is it possible that you keep your air conditioning so cold that you really do need all that humidity?

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bap40
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Post by bap40 » Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:42 am

Are you taking meds for your ADD?

I too am ADD and do take my meds.. It definatly keeps your mind on track during the daytime.
Brooke

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Post by Country4ever » Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:47 am

I'm not sure you're talking to me.......but.......I tried a couple meds, but my heart seemed to be too hyperactive and would get alot of PVCs. I'm a bit medication phobic too.
I do spend most of my time running around in circles. Not fun.
A small bit of caffeine (in the form of a half a tablet of Exedrin, does give me focus for awhile.
I would love to have one of those PET scans. I have the feeling there are alot of VERY quiet places in there!

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Post by Guest » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:07 pm

To all:


My Titrated pressure is 12 cm H20. CPAP pressure is measured in those units. I have an old school CPAP machine, no bells or whistles, software ect. I have a Pulmonologist that shuns Autopap calling it "Unproven Technology". Hmmm...AutoPAP has been aroung long enough to have all the bugs worked out and the FDA won't let an "Unproven Medical Device" out into the public. You think that maybe he likes the 950 bucks he tries to hit up my insurance company everytime he reads me the results of a sleep study . Perhaps Auto Pap with software is a threat?

I take no other Meds or suplements and usually have a tougher problem staying awake than falling asleep....I have been written up at work for falling asleep at meetings. Sleep is no problem....waking up is.

Feeling better today...this is an intermitant problem, some nights are good and some nights bad. I guess that is why they created Autotitrating machines, every night is not the same...mask leaks, positional issues (If I sleep on my back I snore with the machine on!), Itchy noses, Under titration, over titration...I guess it would be nice to know what happens when you have a bad night.

I know my therapy is working, mostly because a night without is very bad, but after a night w/o my machine I can function after a cup of coffee and a shower, when this ADD type CPAP hangover happens it ruins my whole day! I know I am not alone! Other users tell me it happens to them as well.

I Just want to do something about it...I had the head of pulmonology at my local Hospital tell me "Hey you have Sleep Apnea, No Matter what you will never Sleep like a normal Person! " Pretty sad...I don't believe it...we have to much technology out there for me to believe that.


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WindFlyer
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Post by WindFlyer » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:41 pm

Taking Provigil which helps my daytime sleepiness (result of OSA) also helps me stay alert and focused on task at hand. Good side effect to have.

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Wulfman
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Post by Wulfman » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:56 pm

Anonymous wrote:To all:


My Titrated pressure is 12 cm H20. CPAP pressure is measured in those units. I have an old school CPAP machine, no bells or whistles, software ect. I have a Pulmonologist that shuns Autopap calling it "Unproven Technology". Hmmm...AutoPAP has been aroung long enough to have all the bugs worked out and the FDA won't let an "Unproven Medical Device" out into the public. You think that maybe he likes the 950 bucks he tries to hit up my insurance company everytime he reads me the results of a sleep study . Perhaps Auto Pap with software is a threat?

I take no other Meds or suplements and usually have a tougher problem staying awake than falling asleep....I have been written up at work for falling asleep at meetings. Sleep is no problem....waking up is.

Feeling better today...this is an intermitant problem, some nights are good and some nights bad. I guess that is why they created Autotitrating machines, every night is not the same...mask leaks, positional issues (If I sleep on my back I snore with the machine on!), Itchy noses, Under titration, over titration...I guess it would be nice to know what happens when you have a bad night.

I know my therapy is working, mostly because a night without is very bad, but after a night w/o my machine I can function after a cup of coffee and a shower, when this ADD type CPAP hangover happens it ruins my whole day! I know I am not alone! Other users tell me it happens to them as well.

I Just want to do something about it...I had the head of pulmonology at my local Hospital tell me "Hey you have Sleep Apnea, No Matter what you will never Sleep like a normal Person! " Pretty sad...I don't believe it...we have to much technology out there for me to believe that.
You don't by chance live in my area, do ya? That sounds like some of the kinds of crap that MY sleep doctor (pulmonologist) would say. I got a CPAP that had data capabilities and the software and then cut my ties with that jerk after a total of three appointments. I was beginning to think he had a death wish. On the other hand, I've read LOTS of posts since then where some of those docs said as bad or worse things to their patients.

You can also run an Auto in CPAP mode, too.......or a narrow pressure range that works.

You need to find that scissors or knife.....


Den

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Hmm

Post by Hmm » Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:22 pm

Hmm. This thread is very interesting. I don't take any meds and I have noticed that too, that I suffer from cognitive impairment, so much so that I have gone to a psychologist who has confirmed that as well.

Maybe in about 10 or 20 years some independent university will do some studies on this. However, getting any decent data will be tough since most doctors like to prescribe psychiatric medication to people who have sleep apnea.

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roster
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Post by roster » Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:04 pm

Hmm wrote:Hmm. This thread is very interesting. I don't take any meds and I have noticed that too, that I suffer from cognitive impairment, so much so that I have gone to a psychologist who has confirmed that as well.

Maybe in about 10 or 20 years some independent university will do some studies on this. However, getting any decent data will be tough since most doctors like to prescribe psychiatric medication to people who have sleep apnea.
If you are worried about cognitive decline check out this thread: viewtopic.php?t=31925&start=0.

It happens!

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Re: Cognitive Issues Following CPAP Therapy

Post by roster » Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:07 pm

tbone106 wrote:
Joe A wrote:
........ I suck down an entire tank of distilled water using my heated humidifier. .........

........ I also use a tank of water, is that bad -- my setting is on 2.

.......
If you are using a tank of water in 8 hours on a setting of 2 with the Respironics machine, I bet you are leaking pressure out your mouth. Your therapy is not effective when this happens.