I was stuck at 4 hours for a while when I started. I felt better with 4 hours on CPAP than I did after a full night without it, so after 4 hours it felt like it was time to get out of bed. It felt like my daytime sleepiness problem was 2/3 resolved at that time. After about 2 months I was able to consistently sleep 5 1/2 hours per night, and then it took another 6 months to reach 6 1/2 hours.MagsterMile wrote:I wish I was so lucky as you to be getting 6 hrs sleep. I'm stuck in the 4 hrs range but working on getting more. It's a heck of struggle and perhaps something else is going on with me that I don't have a name for yet.
CPAP and needing less sleep?
Re: CPAP and needing less sleep?
_________________
| Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine |
| Mask: Pilairo Q Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: PR DS-560 System One; former S8 Autoset II user; Sleepyhead (Mac); I sometimes use the Mirage Activa |
-
quietmorning
- Posts: 1279
- Joined: Wed May 04, 2011 10:39 am
Re: CPAP and needing less sleep?
The average for adults is between 7.5 to 9 hours of sleep - but with that said, Einstein only needed 4 hours, some people need 6 to be fine. If you are not sleepy until midnight and sleep for six hours and get up fine and don't feel fatigued during the day - or stare off into space a lot - then you are just doing what your body needs you to do. If you are fatigued during the day and can't pay attention to much, if anything, then perhaps look at your caffeine intake and see if it might be giving you a false picture of when you need to go to sleep. . . otherwise? Your DME isn't your doc. Period, end of story. When she gets the degree and title 'doc' THEN she can make remarks about your sleep hygiene. She does the equipment - period. Does she get a kick back for every hour you sleep with the CPAP equipment? (I've never heard of this, but with the way medical offices work these days, it wouldn't surprise me.)sleepyinmississippi wrote:Hi all.
Since I've started using CPAP, I seem to need less sleep (about 6 hours worth.)
My DME scolded me for not getting more sleep (it was an unpleasant visit). But I'm not tired during the day.
I'm 45-years-old--is it normal for me to get "only" 6 hours sleep?
I go to midnight and wake up at 6 a.m. My DME says I should goto bed earlier but I don't feel tired before midnight. He told me all about how not complying with CPAP can lead to "death" but I feel fine.
Am I in some kind of serious denial? Or a problem patient? Please advise and don't hold back.
-
Drowsy Dancer
- Posts: 1271
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:35 am
- Location: here
Re: CPAP and needing less sleep?
Sounds like he thought you were sleeping without the mask part of the night, rather than believing that you really slept that little.
David Dinges at the University of Pennsylvania does lots of interesting work about the effects of voluntary sleep restriction. People (even without OSA) who short themselves on sleep can be both somewhat impaired by lack of sleep and unable to discern that impairment (too lazy to google the link right now to the research, but it's out there).
That said, you may indeed be someone who needs six hours of sleep to function optimally. There's no one magic number.
David Dinges at the University of Pennsylvania does lots of interesting work about the effects of voluntary sleep restriction. People (even without OSA) who short themselves on sleep can be both somewhat impaired by lack of sleep and unable to discern that impairment (too lazy to google the link right now to the research, but it's out there).
That said, you may indeed be someone who needs six hours of sleep to function optimally. There's no one magic number.
_________________
| Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine |
| Mask: Swift™ FX Bella Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgears |
| Additional Comments: Software: SleepyHead. Pressure: APAP 9.5 min/11 max, A-Flex x2 |
How we squander our hours of pain. -- Rilke
-
The Professor
Re: CPAP and needing less sleep?
Greetings,
I have been on CPAP for over 10 years. Use it every night. Because I get such restful sleep, I only need 5-6 hours of sleep each night. My wife thinks I'm nuts, but when I wake up (naturally, no alarms needed), I am fully rested. Going "back to sleep" would simply be a waste of time.
I know it's quality sleep because I dream 3-4 times every night, whereas I hardly ever dreamt before CPAP.
I will admit to enjoying a "power nap" from time-to-time, but that's only when the grandskids tire me out, and we all enjoy a little nap time.
Doctors always speak in general terms and rarely get to know you as a person. I'm in healthcare, so I know, and understand. When I'm a patient, I feel like I'm just a $25 co-pay (or is it $30 now). On the flip-side, many patients don't listen to their doctor's. It's why some doctor's can be a little patronizing. It's probably frustrating for them too.
Bottom line . . . know yourself and your body. If you feel well rested after fewer hours of sleep than is the acceptable "norm", and there are no other issues, leave it alone. Appreciate the fact that you get more hours of sunrises, reading the paper undisturbed, walking the dog, home projects, grandkids, or whatever makes you happy. So many people never get a good night of sleep, so I'm thankful that I do, thanks to CPAP.
Have a great day!
The Professor
I have been on CPAP for over 10 years. Use it every night. Because I get such restful sleep, I only need 5-6 hours of sleep each night. My wife thinks I'm nuts, but when I wake up (naturally, no alarms needed), I am fully rested. Going "back to sleep" would simply be a waste of time.
I know it's quality sleep because I dream 3-4 times every night, whereas I hardly ever dreamt before CPAP.
I will admit to enjoying a "power nap" from time-to-time, but that's only when the grandskids tire me out, and we all enjoy a little nap time.
Doctors always speak in general terms and rarely get to know you as a person. I'm in healthcare, so I know, and understand. When I'm a patient, I feel like I'm just a $25 co-pay (or is it $30 now). On the flip-side, many patients don't listen to their doctor's. It's why some doctor's can be a little patronizing. It's probably frustrating for them too.
Bottom line . . . know yourself and your body. If you feel well rested after fewer hours of sleep than is the acceptable "norm", and there are no other issues, leave it alone. Appreciate the fact that you get more hours of sunrises, reading the paper undisturbed, walking the dog, home projects, grandkids, or whatever makes you happy. So many people never get a good night of sleep, so I'm thankful that I do, thanks to CPAP.
Have a great day!
The Professor