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From: Andy Hall on 4 Jun 2008 04:40
On 2008-06-04 03:01:48 +0100, "KB" <nospam(a)nospam.com> said:
>
> Hi, Sue, I've actually tried exercising before. I would love if that would
> wake me up. The problem is that I wake up feeling tired, even with using the
> CPAP machine. Then during the next 5 or 6 hours, I'm getting sleepier and
> sleepier and after about 5 or 6 hours, I'm just so tired. Then if I lay down
> and take a nap, I feel great afterwards. As a matter of fact, people that
> have observed me can tell a huge difference. Anyways, in the past, when I've
> tried to exercise, it was tough, but it didn't wake me up. If I do stay up,
> I do notice that after a while, I do feel a little better, but still really
> run down. I've even been able to sit down and close my eyes and just half
> slept, i.e. I was still conscious, but even that made me much more alert.
> I'm not sure what that little powernap does, but it seems to really make me
> alert. I've tried to stop the naps, but after 3 or 4 days, I get sick and
> that throws everything into a mess. I'd like to not have that nap, and get
> my sleep during the night. That is actually the main goal, that I'm trying
> to achieve with this whole CPAP machine. As a matter of fact, I was told
> that if the apnea was solved that I would be more alert during the day. I
> haven't seen the results yet and it's really costing me a lot of money and
> time.
>
> KB


How long have you been using the CPAP machine now?

Keep in mind that for some people the effect on sleep improvement is
pretty much instant, while for others it can be weeks or even months
and the changes much slower and more subtle.

The apnoea issue needs to be resolved anyway. Although most people
seek diagnosis and treatment because of daytime sleepiness and a
feeling of not sleeping well, there are some serious associated long
term health risks that come from the reduced level of oxygen in the
blood and other strain on the body. So to say it a different way, even
if the sleep improvement hasn't happened yet, it's important to
continue with the CPAP.

However, based on your experiences with the behaviour of the machine, I
am wondering whether the treatment isn't being effective for whatever
reason. That's why I think that it's important that you get the
machine data downloaded and looked at by somebody qualified to do so.
At the moment, it's only possible to guess that it could be a mask leak
issue, some kind of congestion or restriction affecting machine
operation or a faulty machine. Looking at the machine data should
reveal that. If there is a problem, then this needs to be addressed
next. There is no point in proceeding with anything else until it is
and it is known that the equipment is working properly as well as you
not having any congestion/restriction issues.

If there are mask or machine issues, they should be resolvable by the
machine or mask supplier or by whoever prescribed it. To that end,
you probably need to find a local supplier that you can visit who will
be willing to help with issues like mask fitting, if the issue turns
out to be mask leak. This kind of thing is difficult for a new user
to deal with using a remote supplier.

If there are congestion/restriction issues then it probably means an ENT visit.

If all of the above check out OK, then it's back to looking at whether
there are other sleep disorders going on.

Sleep hygiene is important too, so try to follow that as much as you
can. On the other hand, if sleepy during the day, then safety is
important as well - e.g. don't drive if feeling sleepy, take a nap.
That basic issue over-rides all else.










From: Darth Breather on 4 Jun 2008 06:37
On Jun 3, 7:01 pm, "KB" <nos...(a)nospam.com> wrote:


> Hi, Sue, I've actually tried exercising before. I would love if that would
> wake me up. The problem is that I wake up feeling tired, even with using the
> CPAP machine. Then during the next 5 or 6 hours, I'm getting sleepier and
> sleepier and after about 5 or 6 hours, I'm just so tired. Then if I lay down
> and take a nap, I feel great afterwards. As a matter of fact, people that
> have observed me can tell a huge difference. Anyways, in the past, when I've
> tried to exercise, it was tough, but it didn't wake me up. If I do stay up,
> I do notice that after a while, I do feel a little better, but still really
> run down. I've even been able to sit down and close my eyes and just half
> slept, i.e. I was still conscious, but even that made me much more alert.
> I'm not sure what that little powernap does, but it seems to really make me
> alert.

Im wondring if your on a diferent sleeep cycle. some peple have strong
body clocks and cant shift easily. maybe your nocturnal.
From: Sue Morton on 4 Jun 2008 08:06
I'l add to what Andy wrote, from your posts here it hasn't sounded to me
like your CPAP therapy is being handled correctly or is being tuned
correctly. I can only continue to encourage you to find that competent
sleep doc who will partner with you to solve your issues (NOT a doc that
pats you on the back and says "come back if you don't feel better", but one
who'll look at your data regularly, answer questions, and work to help you
solve the issues).

I'll also add that those issues should be worked on one at a time, trying to
fix a bunch of things at once is often not productive and may be counter
productive. And what you were told is true in my experience, if the CPAP
therapy is handled correctly so that it is judged to be effective and taking
care of SA, some or even all of the other issues will simply disappear. The
ones that are left, the doc will tackle one at a time.

The residual daytime sleepiness, fatigue, exercise intolerance, thinking
naps are helpful, etc. that you describe, is a common story told by people
who are not compliant with CPAP, their CPAP therapy is not being handled
properly, they have poor sleep hyiene, etc., therefore poor nightime sleep
maintenance. You've posted about using auto's, changing your pressure, etc.
You've posted you're working with your doctors but they are not sleep
doctors. I really think you're just delaying the day when you will begin to
feel better.

Time to ditch the self-help route and get a compentent sleep doc to take
over IMO. OK, </lecture> :-)
--
Sue Morton

Andy Hall wrote:
> On 2008-06-04 03:01:48 +0100, "KB" <nospam(a)nospam.com> said:
>> that I'm trying to achieve
>> with this whole CPAP machine.


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