still feeling exahusted after using the cpap

i have been using the cpap, but i still feel exhausted like i cant function. can this be from the sleep apnea? the last time they downloaded my data from my machine they said i was using it 60 percent. in the meantime my other doc put me on 50mg of nuvigil, and i dont feel any different. ayone have this problem if so what did you do?

Please tell us more - complete your equipment profile and share your sleep study results, AHI and pressures etc. Then we can try to help...

Welcome, Yes a lot of people on here have felt that it wasn't helping quick enough and have taken control of their therapy by seeing if it is effective. When the doctor says you have been using it 60% he is talking about compliance and may not have even reviewed your data.
If you have a machine that has an SD card that records data there is a way to look at it and learn how effective your treatment is. Read Pugsy's Pointers on the home page at the top.
What is causing you to only use it 60%? Your mask fit and leak control is the biggest hurdle.
Go to the right top of the home page where it says register username. After that you will be able to list your equipment so others can help you. When you come to a question don't get discouraged just ask.

cuteangel1963 wrote:i have been using the cpap, but i still feel exhausted like i cant function. can this be from the sleep apnea? the last time they downloaded my data from my machine they said i was using it 60 percent. in the meantime my other doc put me on 50mg of nuvigil, and i dont feel any different. ayone have this problem if so what did you do?

Yes, lots of people. They achieved success by taking control of their own therapy.......not relying on the doctors and DMEs.

Apparently you've registered as a member, so hopefully you've put your equipment and machine settings in your profile so we'll know what you're using.
If you have a data-capable machine, get and use the software. Your problems may be that your pressures aren't optimal or that you're losing your therapy air out your mouth while you're sleeping.

Edit:
And this is the last thread you logged in to post in this last summer.

viewtopic/t102972/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9 ... 49#p922749

So, I gather that you have NOW gotten your machine and have only been using it a few months. Please fill out your profile as I suggested above.......so we can TRY to help you.


Den

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Yes, I have felt like that. Several months into treatment I felt worse than before I started. Here's some things I did to try to help myself.

- Got help here with making sure my treatment was indeed therapeutic. Unfortunately that involved getting a different (used) machine that was data capable. Learned to assess my data (needed a pressure increase) and radically restricted my use of the ramp feature. I was being seen repeatedly for followup with the sleep doctor and several other doctors but none helped me with this. I highly suggest you lean into those here who are ready to help you help yourself. It can seem like a lot to grab the bull by the horns when you are already depleted and sleep deprived. I remember asking questions online then not remembering where I'd posted, much less how to log back in to go back and check for answers. I was in a fog. The only way to get answers is to get a grip. If you feel unable, find a trusted family member or friend to walk through this with you until you feel better.
- Shoot for 100% compliance, keeping in mind adherence to ineffective treatment is not going to give you optimum results. Why is your use only 60%? If it is for reasons not related to the actual treatment, you can address those things and hopefully see improvement. Do you fall asleep without masking up? Then never lay down without it already being on. Is your mask uncomfortable or leaking a lot? See what I mean? Address any known issues and see if your compliance improves.
- Even the best of CPAP treatment cannot fix everything. I can fix the sleep apnea. That doesn't mean you don't have other things going on too. If the above steps don't help how you feel, have your doctor run tests for things that might cause your specific symptoms. Also consider if there could be other sleep disorders going on, like limb movements. Take this time to work towards being nutritionally sound and giving your body it's best chance of recovery with good health habits in general.

Good luck going forward.
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Besides concurring with the advice previously given, I would like to point out why your therapy might not be working.

1. Your sleep assessment might have been done without a recommended protocol and as a consequence your pressure is too low.

2. They may have only tested for apneas but not problems with upper respiratory airway syndrome which can also wake you.

So again your pressure might be inadequate.

However, getting a data recording machine, and software to analyze the date will be a great help as others have already suggested to you. I started out with a recommended 8 cm-H2O and with 15 cm-H2O I came to life.

Also, your equipment might be defective. I had problem for a month until I realized that the inner liner on my air hose had collapsed. Parts in a tool, including sensors could be defective and you aren't getting your therapy.

Please sign up for an ID and fill in the equipment on your profile so we can tell you what you can do to work this out. There is a link in my profile with info how to do this. If you can't figure out what CPAP you have, tell us what it says (EVERYTHING) on the top of your CPAP machine.

Even if you get the therapy right, results vary. Some get miracle overnight cures. Some take a while to feel better. Some never feel better, but it's still important to continue your therapy because apnea is probably killing you slowly even if you don't feel better with CPAP.

If you got the right CPAP machine, you can check the data it records yourself and see how well it's working.