Insomnia, both before and after CPAP

Hi all,

I am about two months into CPAP and experiencing sleep maintenance insomnia (which I was also experiencing before I was diagnosed with OSA). I am 26, average weight, no health problems besides some anxiety and depression, and no medications except for Ibuprofen and Tylenol for headaches and PMS. I was experiencing bad insomnia problems before being diagnosed with moderate OSA (my AHI was 17 at my sleep study). I could fall asleep relatively quickly, but I was always waking up around 2 or 3 am.

I tried sleep restriction twice a few months ago. I was never able to fully get 85% sleep efficiency. I went into a sleep center, hoping they could connect me with a sleep psychologist, and that's when they suggested I may have OSA. Somewhere after that, before I had my titration study, I was actually able to sleep through the night again, no early morning wake-ups.Now on my CPAP machine, the 3 am wake-ups are back again. And they're really screwing with my sense of well-being.

Have you ever been on a red-eye flight where you didn't sleep, or been on a long international flight that you didn't sleep on? That's how I feel almost every day. Functioning, but just barely. It is awful. I don't want to give up on my CPAP therapy, but this insomnia really sucks.

I haven't experienced any problems with my mask. So far, AHI is decent (Pugsy is helping me find the right pressure range). I think the fit is fine. I don't take it off. I just really think it's insomnia that's somehow being exacerbated by sleeping with the CPAP machine.

I went to a doctor back in November for a bad sinus infection that I couldn't shake, and had bloodwork done. They said my bloodwork was normal. I wonder if I should go back and have them run more bloodwork to look for anything contributing to this?

I was experiencing problems sleeping back then, too, and the doctor gave me Ambien, but it didn't really help me that much.

Any suggestions would be helpful. Has anyone experienced similar problems?

You might read RobySue's blog.
http://adventures-in-hosehead-land.blog ... er_19.html
You aren't alone.

Insomnia can have many complicating causes that are really difficult to pin point. OSA is one cause but by no means the only cause.