Confused and frustrated with CPAP

Thanks for all who responded, I appreciate the help. Below are the answers to the question posted around my issues.

I have tried a FFM, but I am a side sleeper and have not found a mask that doesn't have bad leaks when on my side.

As to the number of times I wake up, I usually use the bathroom twice a night and that hasn't change since I started CPAP. My other wake ups are around leaks and trying to avoid them.

I do take meds to regulate my heart rate, BP and throid, also, meds for cholesterol and gout. I have taken all of these meds except the heart rate (Tikosyn) for years.

I have tried 4 different FFMs but the only mask that seems work for me as a side sleeper is the nasal pillow but even that leaks at night (not as much as the FFM) and wakes me up.

Yes, I do use alchol (no one asked that , but again my consumption hasn't changed in many years (yes, more than I should)

I guess what I expected with the low numbers was to wake up more refreshed and with more energy.

I am surprised and thankful for all the responses to my posting.

Thank you.
Mike

Did I miss an answer to one question that I asked?

How many hours of sleep are you averaging?
And how many wake ups are to thinking you have....how many is many?

Julie wrote:An 'expert' can suggest different masks, but until the patient tries them on, lying down, and finds out if it's comfortable or not and whether leaks are likely, a decision shouldn't be made just on the expert's opinion.

I never said we leave them to it after the selection of the mask?!! They come back for a second appointment after two weeks and they also have our helpline to ring before then if they find the mask isn't suitable when they've tried it 'in situ'. I was merely saying we don't throw a mask at them without a proper discussion about what's suitable and without trying it on at treatment pressure to see if is likely to be the right one.

Its obvious you arent tired enough, off to bed and then later sleep.

You need more exercise , thats why your gaining weight, no sweet way to put it, i suggest you start walking or running on a treadmill .
And dont eat before you go to bed !!

What an assumption (that more exercise is needed to become more tired)! I suggest you stop making people feel bad when you know nothing at all about them.

Julie wrote:What an assumption (that more exercise is needed to become more tired)! I suggest you stop making people feel bad when you know nothing at all about them.

+100

Even most medical professionals know better than to write posts like this online.

Guest wrote:Its obvious you arent tired enough, off to bed and then later sleep.

You need more exercise , thats why your gaining weight, no sweet way to put it, i suggest you start walking or running on a treadmill .
And dont eat before you go to bed !!

49er wrote:

Julie wrote:What an assumption (that more exercise is needed to become more tired)! I suggest you stop making people feel bad when you know nothing at all about them.

+100

Even most medical professionals know better than to write posts like this online.

+100

"Guest Also posted as: (Garyjames)" posted earlier the same night that he is a newbie with a 2 week old machine, doesn't exercise and eats before bed to the point of feeling sick.

Not to mention the fact that the OP here, Mike, has already mentioned issues like taking thyroid meds - an obvious indicator of potential medical issues that affect weight.

Pugsy, yes you missed the answers in the initial post but I did ramble a bit I sleep an average of 7:30 hours on the machine and wake up at least twice for a bathroom break. I usually only turn when I come back to bed right to left and back.

Again, thanks for all of the thoughtful, supportive and informative responses, you guys are great.

Mike

ResMed A10 auto set, pressure 12, w/intergrated heated humidifier , set to 4
ResMed AirFit P10 nasal pillow
Chin Strap ( I am a mouth breather)
Average night time useage 7.5 hours
Leakage is under the max limits

Sorry if I missed details...I have had some personal stuff going on that affects my comprehension a bit.
My bad and I apologize.

Two bathroom breaks ...you are male...any chance those bathroom breaks are related to the old prostate?

Take your list of meds and search for potential side effects for each one...dig deep.
Look for any side effect that might mess with sleep quality or how you feel during the day...
examples...insomnia, restlessness, fatigue, drowsiness, trouble staying asleep, nervousness, etc.
Not saying that your meds are the sole culprit but it's possible they are playing a small part in unwanted daytime symptoms.

Wake ups themselves will impact how we feel during the day. Wake ups break the normal sleep cycle and we need the normal sleep cycle and % of time in each stage for sleep to work its restorative magic.
We already know that you normally have at least the 2 wake ups and those involve getting out of bed so you get to a full wake status as opposed to a wake up and roll over and go back to sleep thing.
Are the bathroom breaks the cause for your unwanted symptoms...probably not 100 % but likely they are playing a factor in your overall sleep quality and the restorative powers of sleep.

Often it isn't any one single thing that is the culprit causing us to feel less than optimal. I wish it were as simple as everything being related to sleep apnea and the machine can fix it but often there are other culprits that the machine has no control over.

Research every single one of your meds even if your doc or pharmacist has said you shouldn't have a problem with them.
I will give you one example...I have some pretty annoying arthritis issues and my main pain pill for it is tramadol/Ultram. It does come with a "may cause drowsiness" sticker but deep in the potential side effects list is "insomnia" and guess who got lucky and was in the minority...yep, me. If I take my Ultram anytime after 6 PM...I am up cleaning the house at 2 AM...I might initially go to sleep okay but it only lasts about 2 or 3 hours and then I am totally wide awake....or sometimes I simply can't go to sleep until 2 AM if I take the Ultram at say 8 PM. So while the usual side effect is drowsiness..there are a few of us who it works the other way. Bummer for me because if I don't take something for pain then the pain keeps me awake or messes with sleep and if I take the Ultram then it messes with my sleep. Damned if I do and damned if I don't. So my doc and I have worked out another drug for nighttime use...it's not perfect but it's the best we can come up with and unfortunately it causes some left over daytime "sleepiness" issues but those are less than what I would be having if I woke up a gazillion times with pain.

You may just need more time to feel the good numbers...you may have to look at this therapy more as a preventative (preventing that heart or kidney damage or preventing that stroke) measure until the body heals from all the damage done prior to starting cpap therapy.

I didn't get any jump in energy right off. The well versed veterans here have indicated most people dont either. I've felt some other benefits but not that big energy jump. I'm not falling asleep at the wheel while driving either though before or after cpap. I was taking an anti-anxiety when I first started, but stopped after a couple of days because it made me a zombie during the day. I second Pugsy on reviewing your meds in depth. Could be something there.

I get up to go to the bathroom occasionally. It depends really on my liquids intake. I've been trying to stay hydrated but I have to cut off the water in the evening or I'll get up. As for imbibing in spirits, depends on the time of day/evening and how many, but they're going to do it to me almost every time. 95% of the time though, since being on cpap, I dont get up for the bathroom anymore. Before, it was a few times a night, even if I was good about drinking water late or other beverages. I had no idea before I was diagnosed that apnea can cause that.