How long to pay back sleep deficit?

[qwertydvorak]

I would like to post images of my SleepyHead data - which I just installed tonight, and used the awesome patch found on here to make work. Thank you so much for that! So dumb question, but how do I post images without having them posted somewhere online with an associated URL? Or is that required?

you can upload your photos to imgur.com without even making an account. just upload and copy the link.

[chunkyfrog]

It may be proportional to the amount of damage already done.

[SleepyMarlo]

Here's a look at my numbers from the first sleep study, and from Wednesday night.

[SleepyMarlo]

Pretty colors!

[SleepyMarlo]

And more pretty colors.

[SleepyMarlo]

I don't know how to interpret most of this Sleepy Head stuff so if you're willing, I'd love some help. Cheers!

[bjcyorkiemom]

You mention nothing about your general age and stress level you run into every day. There are many things that can add to you being / feeling tired, a lot, still, other than just the sleep apnea. Others have mentioned some - food, exercise, alcohol, meds, stress, etcetera. I'm a 50 some yo woman and work in a stressful work environment and have started working on adrenal stress support and hormones support with a pharmacist who specializes in hormone therapy too, all right around the time I started the c-pap and I'm still tired, but as I work to level out other things in my life, I feel better, not so much every day, but weekly or so I notice little things that feel like progress. I use to plan my days off around a good long nap, and I haven't needed one since about a week after I started the c-pap. I'd say that is progress, although I miss the "comfort of a nap". I expect to add some simple exercise this month and bit by bit work back into things that make me feel better. Just keep working at this. It didn't get broken all at once, it will take some time to correct it all.

[SleepyMarlo]

Yes bjcyorkiemom it's a struggle. Do you have Yorkies by any chance? Cute!

I'm 43, I have a job that is stressful at times. I'm glad I finally got the software downloaded, because it helps me to have graphs and stuff... as soon as I understand it all. I like to see my goals being met on the screen, even if I'm not feeling the positive results yet.

[Pugsy]

Looking at the usage graph ....only 45 nights with usage greater than 6 hours since middle of July to the end of the graph (end of Dec). Some nights barely made 6 hours. See all those red bars?
6 hours of sleep isn't going to be enough (even if it is reached every night) unfortunately to have the best chance of feeling better.

I think the hours of use (or lack of) along with the possible contributing factor of the Welbutrin side effects messing with good sleep probably play a big part in not feeling so great the next day.

[Sleepless Sap]

I have now been using my cpap machine for about 2 weeks. I was removing the hosing while sleeping the first few nights after about 2-3 hours of use and would discover it in the morning. The last few nights I haven't pulled it off, but feels so suffocated, that pulled it off during a wake period about 1/2 way through sleeping. My doctor said my insurance requires I use it at least 4 hours a night, but he tells me to use it all the time, otherwise not really getting full benefit. He also warned me that there is a long adjustment period, so keep at it. He said it might be a year before I feel the full benefits. I've always been a "good" sleeper. I didn't realize it was because (perhaps?) I wasn't really getting good sleep. I love between 9-10 hours but rarely get that much. With the machine, I'm sleeping about 7-8.

Last night was the first night I could tolerate having the mask on all night long, but had lots of wakeful periods. The mask stayed on for 7-1/2 hours. Using the ramp up button when I do wake up. I'm doing all the right sleep hygiene things. I haven't noticed a lot of difference yet, except that I don't feel as mentally foggy when I wake up in the morning and I've been tolerating longer periods of exercise - I noticed that 2 days ago. So, I am seeing slow (fast?) changes. Anyone have any advise for me to keep the mask on and STAY asleep or any other tidbits? Appreciate any advise.