Newbie in GA Still Not Sleeping

Hi All,

I am a newbie from GA who was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea about 2-months ago. I recently started on CPAP therapy, this is my 4th week, and unfortunately I have not gotten used to wearing the device and my sleep has gotten worse. A little about me;

Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 166 Lbs
Age: Early 50's
Health: Good. Have Low Thyroid, slightly elevated cholesterol and degenerative disc disease in my cervical spine
Current Medications: Synthroid, daily baby aspirin and fish oil
Activity: Workout for at least 60-minutes 5-6 days a week religiously. Combination of strenuous aerobics and weightlifting
Diet: Low carb, High Protein, Moderate Fat
Alcohol Intake: Weekend Wino, never during the week
Caffeine: One large cup of coffee at breakfast, Coke zero with lunch nothing after 1:00 PM
CPAP Machine: Resprionics Dream Station with Dreamwear mask
CPAP Level: 8

I have always had difficulty sleeping and unless conditions were perfect (Dark, cold room, white noise, comfortable bed, quiet partner). My original issue was that I couldn't fall asleep, but when I finally did I would stay asleep. About 3-years ago my PCP put me on Ambien for 30-days, which totally changed my sleep architecture. I went from not being able to fall asleep to not being able to stay awake at night. We titrated the Ambien down to 4-days a week, then 3 and then just as needed. Things were good for about a year and then I started waking in the middle of the night. I continued to take the Ambien after 2-3 nights of not sleeping.

We moved recently and I got a new doctor who is an IM/Sleep Specialist who was concerned about my long-term use of Ambien and my complaints of excessive tiredness and weakness in the gym. Sent me for a a sleep study, diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. This was a total shock to me as I am in good health and rarely carry more than 10-12% body fat. Doctor described the cause as more of an anatomical & aging issue. I was not against CPAP therapy, but based on my past sleep history I was not looking forward to it nor did I think I could be compliant. However after feeling like run over dog poop for the last 6-months I committed to trying it.

Which brings me to my current situation. I have yet to sleep through the night since I started therapy and am now more tired than before I got the machine. It takes me much longer to fall asleep and I can only stay asleep for a few hours. I have tried just laying there with the mask on, but I have yet to be able to go back to sleep. I have now started taking the mask off when I wake up and have been able to sleep a bit longer before the alarm goes off, but not much.

The first few nights it was hard to get accustomed to the pressure, but surprisingly that went away quickly. My real challenges are that the mask gets uncomfortable on my nose and head. Also, I'm a side sleeper and having to sleep on my back is uncomfortable. When I've tried sleeping on my side the mask pulls away from my nose and I get that strong rushing air sound that will wake me up or prevent me from going back to sleep. One thing I find really off-putting is the sound of my breathing as it sounds like Darth Vader in my head. Switch to the dark side Luke! That noise makes it hard to fall asleep and harder to get back to sleep. And lastly the side effects. the first week it was excessive gas and burping when i got out of bed. Thankfully for my wife that went away. Now the issues are dry mouth to the point where it wakes me up because i can't swallow and a new very interesting side effect, or perhaps side benefit depending on your point of view, of nightly erections that won't subside. I've tried an OTC product to moisten my mouth before bed, but it has not helped.

So, I've now shared more about myself on the internet than I ever in my wildest dreams thought I would. Sleep has become a most precious commodity and without it you start to understand why Michael Jackson was using propofol and why Prince took so many pills to sleep. I am at the tipping point of staying the course or sending the torture device back to the DME company. Any and all feedback, suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks,
Steven

Download Sleepyhead (free), post your results to Imgur.com and then put a link to them in this thread... (skip the calendar up on the left tho').

hi, steven12 and welcome to the forum. yes, you've given us a lot of information. but believe it or not, we will need more! not everyone uses the same brand of cpap. not everyone uses the same brand or type of mask.

so it would be great if you went to the control panel and filled out your equipment profile. then we will see your equipment each time you post, like you see mine at the bottom. makes it easier for folks to answer your question(s).

also, will need to know what pressure settings you are at. everyone is different.

hang in there, i'm here to tell you, this cpap journey does get easier....

Hi, steven12 , I have the same problem(hypothyroidism). I am afraid that is the root of the problem is the Synthroid and low thyroid. I had RAI for Graves years ago and now I'm hypotiroid, the doc put me on levothyroxine(125mcg) from many yrs. I have no problem until now(one month ago) with my sleep. I think I have many sleep problems because hypothyroidism induce anxiety and depression which generates insomnia(there is a link between them).

Steven 12 and adin67; Yes, I have a friend whose been on cpap for many years and also takes thyroid medication. He takes 10mg Ambien every night and gets approx. 4 hrs sleep, alittle more if he's lucky. He looks forward to new and better thyroid medication some day.

sylvia 54 you are right, many hypothyroid people on proper treatment(levothyroxine-
synthetic T4 hotmone) develop insomnia due to anxiety and depression. The best treatments it seems to be a combination of T4 and T3 or treatment for anxiety(for raising serotonin in the brain).Medical opinion is that if anxiety is diminishing insomnia goes away because the body can relax.
Steven also you should be checked if you are on the rhight pressure on cpap device(maybe you need an autocpap) or try to change the mask.

Thanks for the comments. I had forgotten about the insomnia side effect with Synthroid, so thanks for reminding me about that issue. This makes a lot of sense as to the continued lack of sleep, surprised and disappointed that my doctor did not recognize that side effect as a potential cause. I will bring this up with him during my next visit. My wife and I are both going through a tough time right now as we can't wait till bedtime and then when we can't sleep we can't wait to get out of bad. Were in a bad cycle right now that we need to break out of in order to get back to enjoying life and not sleep walking through it before die.

I am also pretty new to this CPAP stuff but from what you've said I've noticed a few issues I was having initially so I'll try to help.
Firstly & most importantly you need to try & perceiver because once you get the right equipment & pressure it really will help & the only way to find these out is trial and error.

It sounds like you have a nasal mask? Have you considered a full face mask? With this you could still comfortably lay on your side (I'm also a side sleeper) you can also get pillows that are designed to accommodate your mask maybe this would be useful for you? With regards to the dry mouth (I hated this & had it for months) I then managed to get a humidifier which really does make a huge difference I don't know if your already using one but if you are perhaps you need it higher? If your not then I would reccomend it because even though I have it really low it means I wake up without a dry mouth or that bunged up feeling! To help with drowning out the noise of your breathing I used ear plugs (in my first few months) since I've not had to as I'm so used to it. I really can empathise with your situation because I really struggled initially to get used to the whole thing BUT now (12months on) I wouldn't be without my machine. I defiantly think a full face mask would be much more suited given the issues you have described. This would resolve many of them & also some of the side effects.

Good luck

Kerry


Chronically ill, yet still chronically smiling!

Steven, take a small dose of 5mg of Zolpidem (generic Ambien) to help you fall and maintain sleep.

Sleepy_Kezzy wrote:I am also pretty new to this CPAP stuff but from what you've said I've noticed a few issues I was having initially so I'll try to help.
Firstly & most importantly you need to try & perceiver because once you get the right equipment & pressure it really will help & the only way to find these out is trial and error.

It sounds like you have a nasal mask? Have you considered a full face mask? With this you could still comfortably lay on your side (I'm also a side sleeper) you can also get pillows that are designed to accommodate your mask maybe this would be useful for you? With regards to the dry mouth (I hated this & had it for months) I then managed to get a humidifier which really does make a huge difference I don't know if your already using one but if you are perhaps you need it higher? If your not then I would reccomend it because even though I have it really low it means I wake up without a dry mouth or that bunged up feeling! To help with drowning out the noise of your breathing I used ear plugs (in my first few months) since I've not had to as I'm so used to it. I really can empathise with your situation because I really struggled initially to get used to the whole thing BUT now (12months on) I wouldn't be without my machine. I defiantly think a full face mask would be much more suited given the issues you have described. This would resolve many of them & also some of the side effects.

Good luck

Kerry


Chronically ill, yet still chronically smiling!

Kerry,

Thanks for the advice!