Brain Fog....Root Causes and Solutions?

Joe A · Post by **Joe A** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 5:51 pm

To Those that have suffered through this after CPAP/Bi PAP therapy:

What have found are possible root causes? What have you done going forward to overcome this?

There have been many a time that I wake up after what seems is a restful night with my Bi PAP and I have BRAIN FOG. The symptoms are like those of ADD or ADHD. Inability to foucus, Having trouble completing tasks, poor concentration, Poor Short term memory, sometimes even normal conversations can be tough because I lose my train of thought!

I just had a hellaceous day at work....My brain was not fireing on all cylinders, I made mistakes, I missed meetings, I forgot to take care of some things and I pretty much looked like MUD!

OSA can be debilitating for someone who does "thought work" however, It is not considered a disability. If you have untreated or poorly OSA, your livelyhood is in jepardy!

Please....If anyone has any answers...please share them!

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 5:56 pm

Are you sure that you are getting therapy? Mask leaks, etc? It is possible due to physiological changes that you might need a higher pressure. Best bet is to talk to your doc.

Mike who never played a doctor on TV, but did play doctor with the girl across the street

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 6:57 pm

I agree with Mike. That's how I feel when I haven't gotten enough sleep. I suppose with all the recent talk about REM rebound, that might also be an effect, although not yet having reached the point of REM rebound, I wouldn't know.

But that sounds like classic exhaustion.

Liam, who always did like the classics.

day for night · Post by **day for night** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 8:22 pm

I hear ya. I'm an attorney. Hard to be an attorney with the thinking and the writing and the presenting and you can barely think causing problems with the writing and the presenting. knowwhatimean.

Your description fits me perfectly. I want to collapse, but the adrenaline that keeps me going keeps me from being able to collapse when I want. It's a vicious cycle. The only thing that helps me is exercise, and you dont really feel like it when you are wired and tired. It clears my head, cuts the adrenaline, allows me to think and then sleep later. Thats the only advice I have. Exercise if at all possible.

HappyHoser · Post by **HappyHoser** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 8:46 pm

Just have to throw my two cents in - I think Liam and Mikesus are right on, you're describing some pretty classic OSA symptoms. You might need to take a second look at your therapy and make some adjustments. As for myself personally, my brain fog is a result of too much time behind the dugouts during high school. You can use your imagination. Good luck!

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 8:56 pm

HappyHoser wrote:As for myself personally, my brain fog is a result of too much time behind the dugouts during high school. You can use your imagination. Good luck!

Interesting, in so far as mine is the direct result of my apnea, which is probably the result of too much time behind the DONUTS in high school.

Liam, who actually read yours that way the first time. Ain't dyslexia grand!

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 2:24 am

I was diagnosed with OSA last year when I went for a sleep study. I have also had a sleep disorder called Delayed Sleep Phase Sndrome (DSPS). This is where your body clock is out of sync with the rest of the world. I want to sleep late (3 am) and wake up late (11 am).
If you have this condition and try to change to a "normal" schedule (9 -5), your mind will be foggy till 3 pm.
So my question is have you always felt pretty slow in the mornings? Do you sleep in on the weekends?
I just want to say that OSA might not be the only problem.
Best wishes.

janc · Post by **janc** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 9:42 am

Joe A - Brain fog! That's what I had before treatment! Since starting CPAP therapy I sleep for 7 hours, wake up and feel great all day and my thoughts are clear and my short term memory has come back! I would check with your doctor and let him know about the memory and thought problems you are having while using the CPAP machine. These are some of the issues my doctor addresses during my follow up visits. janc

Joe A · Post by **Joe A** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:58 am

Guys:

I raised hell at my DME! I said to an RT there....

JA:I am snoring and having events with the mask on....the mask has to be defective.

RT: When was your last sleep study?

JA: A month ago.

RT: Maybe you need to have another one with the mask you currently own.

JA: It doesn't make sense, how can a change in mask, change your prescription? It has to be defective!

RT: One doesn't have an effect on the other.

JA:Then why are you asking me to have a $4,500 sleep study to validate a $200 mask???

RT: Let me get you another RT that moonlights in a sleep lab, maybe he can explain it to you better.

THAT LEADS ME TO A QUESTION....DO RT'S HAVE TO GO TO COLLEGE, OR DO THEY GET THERE CERTIFICATION FOR DRAWING "WINKIE" FROM AN ADD IN THE BACK OF TV GUIDE?

Second RT: Asks me the same questions..... Then says....can you make it over here sometime today? You have a defective mask, and we need to give you another mask ASAP. There is no reason with a new machine and fresh titration you should be snoring inside the mask. There was a brand new Resmed Ultra Mirage waiting for me when I got there!

Result: This is the first day I have woken up in a solid month, where my brain works! However...a month of Brain fog has taken it's toll on my professional life. Sleep apnea Sucks!

coffee · Post by **coffee** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:28 pm

too bad all respiratory therapists aren't as good as your RT2. I've had some real losers... One of the great things about forums like this is the education we brain fog travelers can obtain so that we can challenge those RTs, doctors and other alleged "experts" who are supposed to be giving us the best advice and care. The brain fog and exhaustion that sleep apnea provides us with does leave us weakened but we must continue to "raise hell at the DME" or wherever needed to get the proper treatment so we can leave the brain fog in the dust. It is very encouraging to hear all of the success stories of people who have done just that.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 5:45 pm

Looks like we made a pretty good guess at not getting enough pressure for therapy. (bad mask can do that)

Glad you got it resolved!

Mathurine · Post by **Mathurine** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 10:33 am

Joe A wrote:To Those that have suffered through this after CPAP/Bi PAP therapy:

What have found are possible root causes? What have you done going forward to overcome this?

There have been many a time that I wake up after what seems is a restful night with my Bi PAP and I have BRAIN FOG. The symptoms are like those of ADD or ADHD. Inability to foucus, Having trouble completing tasks, poor concentration, Poor Short term memory, sometimes even normal conversations can be tough because I lose my train of thought!

I just had a hellaceous day at work....My brain was not fireing on all cylinders, I made mistakes, I missed meetings, I forgot to take care of some things and I pretty much looked like MUD!

OSA can be debilitating for someone who does "thought work" however, It is not considered a disability. If you have untreated or poorly OSA, your livelyhood is in jepardy!

Please....If anyone has any answers...please share them!

http://www.adrenalfatigue.org

might help...a lot.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 6:19 pm

Mathurine wrote:
Joe A wrote:To Those that have suffered through this after CPAP/Bi PAP therapy:

What have found are possible root causes? What have you done going forward to overcome this?

There have been many a time that I wake up after what seems is a restful night with my Bi PAP and I have BRAIN FOG. The symptoms are like those of ADD or ADHD. Inability to foucus, Having trouble completing tasks, poor concentration, Poor Short term memory, sometimes even normal conversations can be tough because I lose my train of thought!

I just had a hellaceous day at work....My brain was not fireing on all cylinders, I made mistakes, I missed meetings, I forgot to take care of some things and I pretty much looked like MUD!

OSA can be debilitating for someone who does "thought work" however, It is not considered a disability. If you have untreated or poorly OSA, your livelyhood is in jepardy!

Please....If anyone has any answers...please share them!
Missed his last post, he said all is well with a new mask...

http://www.adrenalfatigue.org

might help...a lot.

airguest · Post by **airguest** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 10:49 am

Ya gotta watch an old movie..."Joe verses the volcano" Joes braincloud was the main theme. Oh yeah seems the forses here deleted my posts from yesterday about salt and bicarb in the heated humidifier. any idea why? or perhaps Im suffering from a braincloud and just cant find it?

Brain Fog....Root Causes and Solutions?

Brain Fog....Root Causes and Solutions?

Brain fog

Re: Brain Fog....Root Causes and Solutions?

Re: Brain Fog....Root Causes and Solutions?

BRAINCLOUD

Machine	Mask

Mask	Humidifier

Machine	Mask