My Story- 3 weeks into Treatment-- Better Energy Coming?

NekkenKennekken wrote:So are there stories out where someone emerges from this so-called "sleep debt" after months of treatment and feels AMAZING? I feel like these boards are filled with people saying: (a) it'll take time but the results will come (what results are we even talking about), or (b)I felt amazing results from the beginning--changed my life. I guess I'm just looking for a story where there was a huge sleep debt, mask was utilized, results were moderate butthe person was still tired, after several months to a year of using the machine you feel like you could conquer the world. In other words I want to hear about people with slow starts that eventually had the awesome pleasure of waking up refreshed every morning of their life. Or at least most mornings and didn't need naps to function.

Is there research out there that proves sleep debt really exists? If that was the case it should take just as long to work it off as it took building it up no? It seems like everyone has a different experience from everything I have been reading here from posters on their experience. I feel some improvement now that I have been on it for 3 weeks for sure but I still feel like taking a nap during the day. I think we have to be patient with the process and not have expectations just yet. When I had my followup with my doctor last week he said I was the only patient he saw all day that was using the machine for a full night each night. I think just getting to that point is considered an accomplishment.

soundersfootballclub wrote:Is there research out there that proves sleep debt really exists? If that was the case it should take just as long to work it off as it took building it up no? It seems like everyone has a different experience from everything I have been reading here from posters on their experience. I feel some improvement now that I have been on it for 3 weeks for sure but I still feel like taking a nap during the day. I think we have to be patient with the process and not have expectations just yet. When I had my followup with my doctor last week he said I was the only patient he saw all day that was using the machine for a full night each night. I think just getting to that point is considered an accomplishment.

We don't fully understand how sleep debt works. The name is merely a designation for an observed effect and there are plenty of theories, some of them quite valid, as to why the effect exists. It does not necessarily take the same amount of time to work it off as building it up, but it can take quite a while. Don't make the mistake of thinking sleep debt is something quantifiable, it's not. You can't predict it, you can't measure it, it simply has no physical properties... but it is believed to exist. This sounds odd, but it's not the only medical condition that we don't know enough about. Some disorders, like Fibromyalgia, Somatoform disorder, or Anxiety disorder, we know nothing about and yet doctors prescribe drugs for them.

I think sleep debt is real but I also think its just the time it takes for the brain to stop compensating for a problem that no longer exists. This would be much like coming off of certain drugs after long periods of time. I have insomnia and since the OSA was overlooked for so long I was given whatever sledgehammer was need to keep me unconscious as I thrashed around choking for air on average every 30 seconds. These drugs inhibit receptors in the brain, the brain compensates by firing more signals so eventually you build a tolerance (some drugs more than others). The brain is compensating for the "problem"(the drug suppressing the receptors). When the drug is taken away that suppresses the receptors now those same receptors are getting more action than a normal brain would as your brain is still compensating for a drug no longer in your system, this is why you feel so terrible coming off many sleep aids. Hard core alcoholics can die from this as when they suddenly stop drinking as the brain can overload and "short circuit" causing seizures. In short the brain does not adapt instantly in many cases.

Sleep debt, it was explained to me that one theory is the same thing is taking place in the brain that happens with drug withdrawal. The brain is compensating and coping with all the issues OSA is causing over long periods of time. When the problem is solved (cpap etc) the brain takes time to re-balance itself and adapt. For example one of the main complaints is being overly groggy or tired, far more so than without cpap. Maybe the brain after going so long without sleep and being so tired in the morning has come up with coping mechanisms allowing you to function, that is your brain got somewhat use to being sleep deprived. Now with cpap the brain is no longer is sleep deprived and could be changing those coping mechanisms somehow leaving you without them or could still be using them causing new symptoms that are not normal, that is the brain is still compensating for a problem that no longer exists. I noticed the tired feeling with cpap seems more "healthy". Its annoying sure but it beats the "sick" tired feeling before cpap.

So in short I think the brain just takes time to recover and each person is going to be different. More users than not here seem to indicate the are slowly recovering over time or its instant. Those that feel no relief going from severe OSA on cpap should start with posting a datachart and make sure they are getting good therapy.

Just my thought on the subject, I am not a doctor.

Well, not to be discouraging, but some people don't feel that wonderful energy even after doing all those good things. It's a complicated (and not fully understood) field.

A few thoughts for things to consider...

Be aware that solving the Obstructive Apneas via CPAP can allow other sleep disorders to "suddenly" appear. For instance, PLM (periodic limb movement) can appear after CPAP is started to address the Apneas. (Basically, the Apneas prevented the person from falling asleep long enough or deeply enough for the PLM to be evident during the sleep study or nightly sleep. With the Apneas fixed by CPAP, the PLM now can show up and disrupt sleep. I don't know how common that occurrence is, but it is a possibility.)

You have to be sure the CPAP pressures are working to prevent Apneas and Hypopneas. Hopefully your machine will allow you at least some view of that data.

The changes in air pressure during the night (if you're using an Auto-PAP) can disrupt sleep, particularly if you have a wide Low/High range setting on your machine.

Mask discomfort can be an issue. Certainly leaks (or mouth-breathing when you're using only a nasal mask) needs to be prevented.

Any pains you might feel during the day (back pain, neck pain, whatever) could also disturb you at night.

Duration and consolidation of sleep can be an issue. Your body learned over many years that "every time I let you fall asleep, you try to kill us". So subconsciously it may now be fighting or resisting sleep. It takes time (and possibly therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, sleep consolidation training, etc) to retrain the body and brain.

Be sure to address all the sleep hygiene items -- consistent schedule, controlling noise and temperature and light, bed partner's movements, etc.

Good luck!!