Still so tired !!!!!!

I was hit with the reality of having sleep apnea in mid Nov. I (like many) actually feel worse now than before both emotionally and physically. I'm on my 4th mask (3 nasal/ 1 full face), 2nd chin strap, and various tape methods. I have been 100% compliant since I started treatment despite all the problems I've had. I was hoping this would be the silver bullet and fix many of the issues I have been fighting for years and years.

Is it realistic to think I will someday sleep all the way through the night? I wake constantly. I'm so envious of my wife. I watch her sleep so peacefully. As long as she is not worried about me, she falls asleep quickly and only wakes when her alarm goes off.

Is it realistic to think I will someday sleep all the way through the night? and of course feel good. Or is it more realistic to believe that the best I will get is 4 +/- uninterrupted hours of sleep? In the last 15 years, I can count on one hand the times I have "slept" all night.

I'm tired of being tired (emotionally/physically). Not sure I can keep this up... guess I'm hoping for encouragement. My gas tank is empty.

I'm paddling the same canoe with you and feel the same way.

You may want to follow this thread since it is similar...http://cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=820

I too would like to be able to sleep through the night and get up with the alarm, but that day may never come. It actually may not be that important.

I have some friends that wake up 4-5 times a night and feel great during the day. For me, it's been hell.

I think we all get in the mindset that if we could only sleep like a stone for 8 hours everynight we would feel better. I am not convinced that this is always the case. For many of us there are probably other issues causing our fatigue and sleeping problems. Unfortunately, for myself, once I was diagnosed with SDB I thought everything would be super once I put a mask on my face.

I have since learned that CPAP is not always the miracle cure that is going to cause instant healing after the first night. For some it is, but for many it takes time for the effects to be felt. Adjusting to CPAP use can often add to sleep problems initially, causing more unwanted sleep deprivation and adding to the anticipatory anxiety of not being able to sleep. I am confident that over time things will improve, and whether or not I wake up 5 times a night is not really the issue. In the end, feeling refreshed and alert during the day is what's important. And that still may be possible, even if I wake up every hour and a half all night long.

I've been waiting for years to get a handle on my sleep problems and fatigue, so I can wait some more if I have to. ( I prefer not !)

So can you...just hang in there.

Regards

For general information and related to this topic I thought browsing this link may be helpful. As a result of our OSA many of us (myself included) probably do not have very good sleep hygiene. This info page; "How to sleep well" may provide some relief for those "on the Machine" but still not getting rested.

Link: How to sleep well