Waking Up Tired

[sheltie]

I've had a CPAP for several years and thought my situation was typical until I "found" this forum. Every day I wake up tired. It can't be from my masks that I've used as they didn't leak and wake me up. However, I wake up several times during a typical night and then fall back to sleep for another cat nap. I've used nasal pillows (didn't like them), full face mask (like them, but they leak) and the nasal mask (my current one for about three years). I also use Valerian and Tylenol PM to help me get to sleep and they work. Any suggestions?

[Babette]

Sounds like you need to discuss your variables with your sleep doctor. Do you have the ability to check your stats?

Just because you THINK you're not leaking, doesn't mean you're NOT. You can still be mouth breathing. Only your machine stats will tell you that. Short of videotaping yourself while sleeping, or another Sleep Study.

Are you using a chinstrap or other mouth closing device?

Are you sure your pressure is addressing your needs?

Sounds very much like your therapy is not working and you need to find out why. I suggest making an appointment with your sleep doctor and go over your sleep study and your current machine stats with him/her.

Good luck!
Barbara

[sheltie]

Hi Barbara,

Thanks for your comments.

I have a chin device and I'm pretty sure it works or my wife would let me know. Same goes with leaks as there have been times when the mask may leak and she wakes me up to tell me. My current CPAP machine doesn't allow me to check stats, it's pretty basic.

The idea of a new sleep study may be a good idea and I'll look into it.

Denny

[Wulfman]

Hi Barbara,

Thanks for your comments.

I have a chin device and I'm pretty sure it works or my wife would let me know. Same goes with leaks as there have been times when the mask may leak and she wakes me up to tell me. My current CPAP machine doesn't allow me to check stats, it's pretty basic.

The idea of a new sleep study may be a good idea and I'll look into it.

Denny

Your pressure may not be adequate. However, as you've noted, there's no way for you to know. I would strongly advise getting a data-capable machine so you'll be able to monitor your therapy.......even if it means buying an extra one out-of-pocket. (never hurts to have a backup machine, anyway)

Den

[Woody4]

Regular exercise seems to help the quality of my sleep a great deal. But I found not just any old exercise helps me. An hour
walk 3 or 4 days a week doesn't do anything for me but 15 min of fairly brisk exercise every day helps me a lot.

[dilligat]

I find that if I wake naturally I'm fine all day but if I'm woken by the alarm clock I feel jaded all day. Is that likely to be the case for you?

[beachgurl_1988]

Perhaps you should establish a bedtime routine, as much as you can, and decrease your use of medications to help you fall asleep. You may be building up a tolerance to these medicines. I use a full face mask, that I find is very comfortable, and does not leak like others I have tried.

I recomend going to get your pressure rechecked. I am in the process of doing so as well, as I find myself waking up at least once a night.