basic questions I overlooked / forgot to ask

3 months on Fitlife mask, data looks decent, fatigue still very much present. I am about to try a new mask - hoping I can sleep more comfortably with it.

I realized I still have some pretty basic questions

1) Apnea / hypopneas caused only by uvula? I feel like my hypopneas (I don't have apneas to speak of) are sometimes aided or caused? by my nasal passageway. I feel like I would benefit by deviated septum surgery - but I don't know that any of my doctors would agree. Something I want to find out about and ask an ENT MD about.

2) Data is one thing - hypopneas and apneas - but won't an uncomfortable mask keep one from sleeping well - thus making one tired and causing long term negative health effects as well? This kind of poor sleep is data the machine can't measure?

3) CPAP works only by keeping the "door open" as one analogy phrases it? Keeping that door that tends to swing shut, or almost shut, wide open. Could it also work by pushing more air through a narrow breathing passage even if nothing closes the airway down? Kind of like a sink analogy - the pipe is only so big but more pressure makes more water run through that pipe. (I don't know if this question has any practical application to cpap use or not).

4) Can poor sleep cause memory loss? Cause I forgot my other questions !

5) I remembered a few more - can lack of sleep significantly prolong the time needed to recover from exercise? Seems like my legs are still sore and TIRED from moving boxes around on Saturday. This results in my energy level being pretty low until my body catches up.

6) Can sleep loss / poor sleep make one ask somewhat nonsensical questions?

1. Haven't a clue...

2. Short answer: Yes, and the solution is to get used to the mask, OR get a more comfortable one. Longer version: Once you fall asleep, I don't think the mask has any bearing on when or whether you reach REM. But it's a short term thing. You will get used t o it and sleep thru the night.

3. Probably both, to some extent. I think "keeping the door open" is more important, however.

4. Absolutely! Your brain processes memory during REM sleep. No (or darn little) REM, no long-term memory. I can remember things from my childhood...but not where we went on vacation 2 yrs ago. Even after it was described in great detail, I STILL have no real recollection...just snippets. I call the past few years my "Dark Period". I'd tell you more, but I can't...you know...

Thanks LinkC

LinkC wrote:2. Short answer: Yes, and the solution is to get used to the mask, OR get a more comfortable one. Longer version: Once you fall asleep, I don't think the mask has any bearing on when or whether you reach REM. But it's a short term thing. You will get used t o it and sleep thru the night.

I have used the current mask for over 2 months - and have gotten used to it some - but I think a smaller one would be more comfortable. I am not sure I will get any more used to this mask. It is huge, even if easy to wear.

Though, also consider Hypothyroidism brought on by OSA. That can cause Memory Issues too. Find many many postings lecturing on persistently asking the Doc to test the Thyroid.

I've had hypothyroidism, I just can't remember if it was OSA that brought it on...


I always say to my family, the less I remember, the happier I become


Take care,

SG

Hi, if your legs are sore from moving boxes, maybe you should not have moved so many at once, and maybe also should have had a warm bath afterwards . I am curious as to why you have the total face mask as it is known to leak a fair amount (never mind that it's apparently not comfortable for you)? There are so many masks out there and I wonder why you thought (or were told) that you needed that one.

Hi, I imagine it could be that your legs stayed sore for various reasons - either overdoing the box thing (don't know your age or fitness level), or because OSA can, if not being properly treated, cause you to have less 02 to work with, or if you're an older person with circulation issues (e.g. claudication) that you might want to ask your MD about that, and it could be related in general again to low 02 in your system, but I don't know that I'd necessarily blame OSA for every symptom of your system that you're suddenly more aware of now that you know you have OSA. The root cause of apnea is not necessarily known 100%. Yes, it seems that the problem is getting air to flow through a passage that's too narrow, for whatever reason it is narrow (there are various ones), but it can also be related to neurological issues which may regulate your breathing pattern in general, so I wouldn't look at it as strictly a mechanical problem. I am curious as to why you have the total face mask as it is known to leak a fair amount (never mind that it's apparently not comfortable for you)? There are so many masks out there and I wonder why you thought (or were told) that you needed that one.

Julie wrote:Hi, if your legs are sore from moving boxes, maybe you should not have moved so many at once, and maybe also should have had a warm bath afterwards . I am curious as to why you have the total face mask as it is known to leak a fair amount (never mind that it's apparently not comfortable for you)? There are so many masks out there and I wonder why you thought (or were told) that you needed that one.

I didn't really move that many boxes. And this soreness and tiredness for days happens whenever I do anything a little outside my normal routine of exercise. Maybe I am just old and out of shape and it has nothing to do with poor sleep.

Fitlife is the most comfortable I have used so far that didn't leak. But I end up feeling tired and sleepy - a little more than if I use no mask at all.

Nasal masks leaked, full life cut up my nose. So I went with the one that didn't touch my nose, and it is the best so far - which isn't really that restful apparently. I could use it for the rest of my life if it actually made me feel better.

I am trying the liberty next - no nose pressure and smaller. I have to see if I can get it to not leak, though.