Started in Oct 2017. Doc worked me up gradually to current pressure settings on my Auto Dreamstation and I have been at current settings for a long time now. I suffer from long term anxiety/depression and have tried many antidepressant type medications, none have really helped. I also had (twice) deviated septum surgery, and my right nostril still isn't quite right (still narrow and develops a scab-like mucus throughout the day which, if not removed, closes off my right nostril) I now average about 3 AHI but I have basically 3 types of days: Better (2 or lower), average (3) and bad (over 5). Not sure how to get more days under 2 and closer to 0. The apnea types that I get seems to be a random mix of all 3 (clear airway, obstructive, hypopnea)
Long term chart since i started:
I did not notice an overnight difference or even a big difference after weeks/months. What i have noticed, is when I go without CPAP now, I feel way worse. In the beginning i was waking up multiple times a night, but I have since gotten used to the high pressure and can sleep the whole night without pressure waking me up. However, sometimes I do wake up in the morning and browse on my iphone for a while before returning to CPAP sleep.
I go to sleep and wake up very late -- often 4 am to noon. I have tried to fix this, but it just seems like my body's default, maybe something else needs to get fixed before this can change?
I still have a deeper "exhausted" feeling even if I don't feel "sleepy", it still feels like my soul is tired and I have low sex drive and energy.
I do sometimes have AHI under 2, and when this happens I do notice a positive difference compared with days over 5. I do feel sleepier on the days over 5.
I sleep laying on my back, without a pillow, because it seems like due to my long neck I get more shallow breathing with a pillow and/or on my side.
Here are a couple of random recent nights:
Almost 2 years in
Almost 2 years in
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Mask: Simplus Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
Additional Comments: Simplus Large cushion |