Newbie- Started BiPap 3 days ago and still tired

[sleepywolverine]

Hi everyone,

I'm so happy to have found some forums where I can get information! I've been reading this one for a few days now and thought I'd join in with a question I have. I just started recently on the machine, and the first day as well as the day of my titration- I felt really alert and alive all day. Well, yesterday I was sleepy and last night I slept with the mask on for a good 11 hours and still woke up feeling tired. I'm alert and okay now, so we'll see how the day goes.

Is this normal with some people?

My AHI was 147.8 during the initial test, so the tech was sure I'd be feeling amazing after a few days, so I'm kind of confused. She was too, though- as she told me there was absolutely no way to get data off my machine- said she'd even called the manufacturer to make sure. But I've been told on another forum that I can, so we'll see.

Anyway- just wanted to introduce myself and see if this is normal at first. (I'm going to go in and add my info now)

Thanks!

[kteague]

Hello and welcome. Sorry to hear you've been told you are starting this venture without a data capable machine. If you would go into your profile and select your equipment (text is preferred to icons) it would be helpful to the readers to better understand your specific situation.

As far as still being tired and sleeping so long, yes, both are normal at this point and for quite some time yet, depending on how depleted you were from untreated sleep apnea. There is a recovery period, and it's different for everyone. Now, if you are still needing 11 hours of sleep several weeks into the treatment, I would start to wonder if something was not right. That's when a data capable machine could clue you in to possible ineffective pressure or leak problems. At some point you should find yourself waking sooner.

Kathy

[sleepywolverine]

Thanks for responding Kathy. My machine wasn't in the options so I added it at the bottom. I wonder if this is an older model? I'm off to do some investigating But, it's the ResMed Vpap S, if that helps.

[Patrick A]

sleepywolverine
I would say to give it a few days as Kathy said.
When I started I was on a Remstar plus machine {no bells no whistles machine} With this machine I thought I had Morning sickness "wanted to vomit every morning. this went on for a year I could not get APRIA RIPOFF {as I refer to them} to give me a new machine, trying to get a mask out of them was another joke and subject. I bought my own machine out of pocket at that time I changed to a Remstar Pro2 with Cflex. I finally went on Bi-Pap after two years. I still was not sleeping all night. Since I went on the Bi-pap I sleep anywher from 7 to 9 hours a night. I would say that if you were able to sleep for a full 11 hours I would say you needed the sleep.

Welcome to the world of hose worship welcome to the forum.

[SaltLakeJan]

Greetings sleepywolverine,

I started Cpap about 10 months ago. I struggled with mask issues, and didn't feel better for a couple of months.
I did have good nights, now and then. When I look back, it was actually steady improvement - only in tiny increments.

I'm happy for you to have find this forum so early in your therapy . . . I received much help, suggestions and encouragement that I don't think I would have perservered without the advice that was freely given to me.

My best wishes to you.


Jan

[Scarlet834]

As far as still being tired and sleeping so long, yes, both are normal at this point and for quite some time yet, depending on how depleted you were from untreated sleep apnea. There is a recovery period, and it's different for everyone. Now, if you are still needing 11 hours of sleep several weeks into the treatment, I would start to wonder if something was not right. That's when a data capable machine could clue you in to possible ineffective pressure or leak problems. At some point you should find yourself waking sooner.

Kathy

I completely agree with everything Kathy said. Give it a few weeks. If you are not feeling noticeably more rested then be sure not to just "sit and take it". Adjustments might be necessary. Raise that with your medical providers and don't settle for a "wait and see" answer at that point. (I agree that a data-capable machine is best, but you have to deal with the tools you have.)

I liked the following poll and thread to give you the range of individual answers regarding, "When will I feel better?"
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=46171&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=poll

[sleepywolverine]

Thanks everyone for your responses, I really appreciate it. I'm going to give it time to see how I feel. Someone sent me an email with the real guide for the machine so hopefully I can get the data from it. I also bought a scarf today to go around the tube My dollar tree didn't have them so I found one at Target if anyone couldn't find them.

Anyway, thanks again!

[TerryB]

I actually felt much worse in the first month of my treatment.
I have determined that my issues were sleep was more disturbed by mask leaks than the apneas without treatment.
The machine was not setup properly and was not treating me all night.
I was mouth breathing/leaking and losing pressure.

Do you have someone who could watch you sleeping and check for:
leaks around the mask (normally make noise)?
mouth leakage (air just blows out)?
You are waking several times per night (needing to go to the BR to urinate many times is a sign of poor treatment, no bladder or kidney trouble)?
Are other things interrupting your ability to sleep?

Good luck,
TerryB

[DaveMunson]

Yea. That is the norm. When I asked this question couple years ago the response was that I had to catch up with the sleep debt. I can't remember when I 'woke up' and found energy but came a day and I did. Next thing I knew, I was building from hand a deck for the back that took 20 tons of material and earth moving (moved all by hand).

Watch for mouth breathing, learn mask care, read this board, ask questions.

Welcome to the club.