Severe exhaustion scares me !! Need hope please

[Spirit]

Hi All,
What frightens me most about my cpap journey is my severe exhaustion levels. Just feeling so tired, I can't keep my eyes open, or feeling like passing out, while walking, I spend 5 out of 7 day's laying in bed, cause I'm too tired to do anything. I only have enough energy for tv & computer, any physical activity is out of the question. i get tired so easily, alway's feel sleepy, but can never sleep, i try to take naps, but sleep never comes.

Not many experience, the level I feel fatigued everyday, I've had lot's of test done, all return normal, thyroid, diabetes, adrenal fatigue, I am not overweight, etc..... it's difficult for me cause, cpap doesn't seem to be working at all, my data looks fantastic, but I just feel horrible everyday. I avoid alot of things, such as eating, cause I'm too tired to eat, sometimes when I lay down, I feel too tired to breathe. ER visits, no help at all.

If anyone, has ever experienced severe exhaustion, as I am and improved, I need some encouragement. Last night, I didn't use my cpap at all, it's not making any difference to me, but an inconvenience. I've lost hope, going on 3 years feeling this way, I don't have the energy to put on my cpap mask sometimes, I fell asleep one night putting my mask on, thought if I laId down for a sec, I could regain some energy.

So if anyone out there, ever experienced severe exhaustion, improved, recovered etc..... I really need hope, to continue cpap treatment. I'm losing hope, my fatigue is caused by Apnea, cause I haven't found anyone that can relate, to what I've shared.

I cry alot, cause I cannot function, just too tired, mentally/physically, I have to push myself beyond limit, Dr. believed I may have narcolepsy, but after sleep study, ruled it out. I did improve somewhat, but the experience was very short.

Sorry so long, just frustrated, losing hope, and fed up !!

Thanks to all those that read.

[DreamStalker]

Looking back at some of your previous posts ... you are leaking your treatment ... most likely out your mouth.

Try a different mask like the Liberty ... or tape you mouth shut for bed.

Don't give up ... I was there exactly where you are before starting my treatment.

You CAN get your life back but you have to make this treatment work.

[PST]

Spirit, what you describe sounds like depression. Not the everyday feelings others might have in mind when they say they feel depressed, but a clinical condition that requires professional medical treatment. I'm not a doctor and I'm out of my depth suggesting this, but good writers with depression, like William Styron, have described it, and some of their accounts sound like yours. Not all exhaustion is caused by sleep apnea, or by any physical cause. The pain and hopelessness you describe have an intensity different from most accounts of sleep apnea symptoms. I hope you discuss them with your doctor and talk to him about the possibility that you can be helped by treatment for depression.

[Spirit]

Looking back at some of your previous posts ... you are leaking your treatment ... most likely out your mouth.

Try a different mask like the Liberty ... or tape you mouth shut for bed.

Don't give up ... I was there exactly where you are before starting my treatment.

You CAN get your life back but you have to make this treatment work.

Thanks. Got leaks under control, since cpap started, I've been using tape over mouth, few day's 0.00 leaks, no AI and 3.8 highest HI, in the past week. I have appt Sept 10 with sleep clinic. pcp wants to get allergies under control, which maybe contributing to fatigue. Felt lots better when nasal pillows were leaking, mouth breathing, and AI was higher, very strange.

[jnk]

. . . I spend 5 out of 7 day's laying in bed . . . feel fatigued everyday, . . . my data looks fantastic, but I just feel horrible . . . I've lost hope, . . . I cry alot . . . I cannot function . . . frustrated, losing hope.

DreamStalker makes great points, as always. (Well, particularly when it comes to SDB-related matters. )

But I also agree with PST. Bad sleep can cause a form of depression; but depression can also cause bad sleep, which can lead to a self-perpetuating cycle that needs to be broken somehow, and often can be, making for substantial improvement. Sometimes depression treatments can be attempted on a temporary basis just to see if they help. Once the cycle is broken, it may be that the only treatment you need long-term is CPAP. But I think it sometimes takes more than CPAP to get the ball rolling in the right direction at first.

jeff

[Spirit]

Spirit, what you describe sounds like depression. Not the everyday feelings others might have in mind when they say they feel depressed, but a clinical condition that requires professional medical treatment. I'm not a doctor and I'm out of my depth suggesting this, but good writers with depression, like William Styron, have described it, and some of their accounts sound like yours. Not all exhaustion is caused by sleep apnea, or by any physical cause. The pain and hopelessness you describe have an intensity different from most accounts of sleep apnea symptoms. I hope you discuss them with your doctor and talk to him about the possibility that you can be helped by treatment for depression.

Thanks PST. I may have to agree with you, I thought depression may be the cause this afternoon, but not me, I've never had depression. But after thinking, it's quite possible, I'm depressed.

Being so unhealthy the past few years, really took a toll on my body, not being healthy & vibrant as I used to be. Going through lots of health crisis & stress, trying to get properly diagnosed, proper treatments really wore me down. It's taken nearly 3 years, to finally figure out, Apnea. I have an appt with doc Sept 10, and will address my concerns to the doc.

But deep down inside, I know the only thing that's going to help me, is getting back on my feet again, from cpap treatment. I'm just so impatient right now, after waiting nearly 3 years, treatment seems like a lifetime, although it's only been 2 weeks.

[jules]

read about food allergies - find an elimination diet and follow it to get rid of the big food allergy culprits ----

[Spirit]

. . . I spend 5 out of 7 day's laying in bed . . . feel fatigued everyday, . . . my data looks fantastic, but I just feel horrible . . . I've lost hope, . . . I cry alot . . . I cannot function . . . frustrated, losing hope.

DreamStalker makes great points, as always. (Well, particularly when it comes to SDB-related matters. )

But I also agree with PST. Bad sleep can cause a form of depression; but depression can also cause bad sleep, which can lead to a self-perpetuating cycle that needs to be broken somehow, and often can be, making for substantial improvement. Sometimes depression treatments can be attempted on a temporary basis just to see if they help. Once the cycle is broken, it may be that the only treatment you need long-term is CPAP. But I think it sometimes takes more than CPAP to get the ball rolling in the right direction at first.

jeff

Hi Jeff,
Thanks. I was mouth breathing like crazy ! But all under control now. Will be fitted for new mask Sept 10, the full face, I so very dislike. My nasal congestion may be decreasing treatment certain times during sleep. I've alway's been a mouth breather. Sleep doc, said I snored mild to moderate, nothing severe.

Depression sounds like a logical answer to me. But I am anti med, after what happned to me on Clonazepam (long story), reason I really want this treatment to work, so I start feeling good again. But I will discuss depression etc... with doc.

[Spirit]

read about food allergies - find an elimination diet and follow it to get rid of the big food allergy culprits ----

Hi Jules,
Thanks for suggestion, but it's already been done, Allergist has been working with me for 2 years. I am allergic to everything ! I tested positive on everything, I have 9 chronic allergies. My allergies are so bad, I may need to order an astronaught uniform or plastic bubble

i know alleriges can cause lots of fatigue, so hard trying to find what causes what, so I can feel better. Just wish allergy meds, worked for me, but they don't.

My system is very sensitive to medications, so I have more reactions to medications then treatment, such as I'm allergic to Allegra D, closes my airway.

Thanks once again.

[DreamStalker]

If you like the Swift LT ... you may prefer the Liberty instead of traditional FF mask.

[wrenn]

I recently figured out that poor nutrition was causing me exhaustion and aching joints. More specifically it was that I was not eating enough meat, giving up aspartame caused an immediate and dramatic improvement. Depression sounds like a possibility as well.

I hope you can find an answer soon.

[Spirit]

If you like the Swift LT ... you may prefer the Liberty instead of traditional FF mask.

Thanks dreamstalker, I love the Swift LT !!!! I sleep solid with LT, no sleep disturbance. I'll look into the liberty mask, I've also got my eye on the hybrid. Thanks for your help.

[jules]

is the problem traditional allergies or are you chemically sensitive too? MCS is nasty to deal with and can leave you in quite a chaotic mess -

allergy meds are not the answer if you have MCS - in fact probably not many meds are good for the MCS patient

[Spirit]

I recently figured out that poor nutrition was causing me exhaustion and aching joints. More specifically it was that I was not eating enough meat, giving up aspartame caused an immediate and dramatic improvement. Depression sounds like a possibility as well.

I hope you can find an answer soon.

Hi Wrenn,
Thanks for help. I eat healthy, but I will admit, I avoid meat, especially red meat. I enjoy eating fruits, vegetable, seafood & fish. I gave up aspartame a long time ago, after I figured out, it caused me to bounce off walls with anxiety.

I believe I may have a combination of issues, to resolve, allergies/sinus being one, depression is another possibility, sleep behavior & eating habits. I have poor sleep habits, which may be contributing to fatigue. Now, I have a few idea's to work on. Thanks for input.

[drj130]

Sprite,

I wish you luck on your long journey. I'm a new user myself and I can understand some of the issues you're facing. I've got depression issues myself as well. Mostly because I've not seen my wife in over 18 months. Been talking with a counsler here on base. It has helped a bit. I think that if my 'boss' was to go away, it would take care of the rest of the stress I'm having, but I don't think that the military would be too happy with me dealing with things in the old school way or borrowing a trick or two from Mr. Copperfield.