Reasons sleep is unsatisfying on Cpap - Poll

[Julie]

Hi, kind of a follow-up to Williamco's poll - guess at what you think could be your problem(s).

[BlackSpinner]

Other = kids, life, neighbours fighting at 1 am, weather.

[KC5cychris]

mostly crazy work hours right up to 12am then need a snack to take a pill for cholesterol then I read a bit then off to bed try to get there by130am usally back up around 830 or so

[Prevail]

I think a possibility is psychological habit. If we are so used to being tired, we might still believe we are tired even though we are not. It's kinda like when you lose an arm but there are times when you think it's still there.

In a more general sense which encompasses habits, I think tiredness can be related to a person's beliefs.

Prevail

[nobody]

I think a possibility is psychological habit. If we are so used to being tired, we might still believe we are tired even though we are not. It's kinda like when you lose an arm but there are times when you think it's still there.

In a more general sense which encompasses habits, I think tiredness can be related to a person's beliefs.

Prevail

I often feel tired when I'm bored.

[davecpap]

I often feel tired when I'm bored.

+1 - After a couple weeks of CPAP and still feeling tired during the day, I saw a psychologist. He suggested my being tired was actually depression, and to get out and do stuff. I've forced myself to be active the past week - went to movies, went to some astronomy club meetings, hand washed my cars for the first time, started using exercise bike just 15 mins/day, started taking a geology class at the community college for fun, and it has made a PROFOUND difference. Perhaps more of a difference than my CPAP. I've been sleeping LESS, waking more refreshed now that I have stuff to look forward to.

This was instead of the Provigil suggestion from the sleep doc. I'm shocked what just 15 mins on my Schwinn Airdyne does for my energy levels. Other things I did - pretty sure I was chronically dehydrated, made it a point to drink my 8 glasses of water. I also noticed having mostly protein for breakfast instead of carbs like cereal really helps get me going in the morning - previously, I'd have cheerios w/raisins or banana, and I'd usually be *fighting* to stay awake 30 mins later. Some eggs/sausage instead for breakfast, or a bagel with lots of cream cheese really, really helps.

I put all my faith in the CPAP restoring my energy levels, but it really look a lot of small changes together to see real results - CPAP, mild exercise, staying active, staying hydrated, less carbs & more protein!

[carbonman]

I put all my faith in the CPAP restoring my energy levels, but it really look a lot of small changes together to see real results - CPAP, mild exercise, staying active, staying hydrated, less carbs & more protein!

If your therapy is improving your health but you're not doing anything
to see or feel those changes, you'll never know what you're capable of.

[chunkyfrog]

Why can't they make more sizes of masks?--I would love to use a hybrid (no taping), but the Liberty just does not fit and I can't even try on a Hybrid
at my DME. Faces come in more sizes than shoes--and shoes cost a lot less! We are being ripped off! Totally!

{{{Update: shortly after this discussion, I bought that mask from our hosts.
It worked better than the Liberty, but I finally ended up giving it away to a poster.}}}

[jabman]

I voter other but not sure I fall under any of the catagories. I really have been feeling better and more rested. I was diagnosed with Diadetes the day after I got my machine. The first 2 weeks on capap I was waking feeling better but not great but sence I have started getting my blood sugars under control i have been waking feeling alot better, I also am loosing weight.

[klgm326]

So far I simply haven't gotten the right mask nor have I gotten adjusted. So, I haven't slept very well with all the new equipment.

[BlackSpinner]

Why can't they make more sizes of masks?--I would love to use a hybrid (no taping), but the Liberty just does not fit and I can't even try on a Hybrid
at my DME. Faces come in more sizes than shoes--and shoes cost a lot less! We are being ripped off! Totally!

The hybrid ships with 3 sizes of nose pillows and 3 mouth thingies so it is all sizes - once you figure out yours you then do a trade with someone else who needs the sizes you don't need.

[topdragster]

+1 - After a couple weeks of CPAP and still feeling tired during the day, I saw a psychologist. He suggested my being tired was actually depression, and to get out and do stuff. I've forced myself to be active the past week - went to movies, went to some astronomy club meetings, hand washed my cars for the first time, started using exercise bike just 15 mins/day, started taking a geology class at the community college for fun, and it has made a PROFOUND difference. Perhaps more of a difference than my CPAP. I've been sleeping LESS, waking more refreshed now that I have stuff to look forward to.

This was instead of the Provigil suggestion from the sleep doc. I'm shocked what just 15 mins on my Schwinn Airdyne does for my energy levels. Other things I did - pretty sure I was chronically dehydrated, made it a point to drink my 8 glasses of water. I also noticed having mostly protein for breakfast instead of carbs like cereal really helps get me going in the morning - previously, I'd have cheerios w/raisins or banana, and I'd usually be *fighting* to stay awake 30 mins later. Some eggs/sausage instead for breakfast, or a bagel with lots of cream cheese really, really helps.

I put all my faith in the CPAP restoring my energy levels, but it really look a lot of small changes together to see real results - CPAP, mild exercise, staying active, staying hydrated, less carbs & more protein!

Been feeling that way myself lately, sleeping long hours when really the therapy I have been getting since being on cpap has been good. Not having the energy or should I say the motivation to do much, and for me is not usual. I have been feeling this way since I quit smoking in January. I think I'll follow your lead and do something about this too. My wife has clinical depression and is on AD's. That is one avenue I don't want to take. Thanks for posting this davecpap.

[chunkyfrog]

Thanks, spinner, but the shape of the liberty (small) curves out so far off my chin, I don't know if I could trust a Hybrid--isn't it just about the same thing? I think I gotta check the other providers here in town for try-ons. We have several, but BCBSNE won't tell you which ones have CPAP equipment. I even emailed them, and they just blew me off: "go online." --their list is useless, I still gotta make umpty zillion phone calls. Well, I guess I better get started. thanks, again.

[davecpap]

That is one avenue I don't want to take. Thanks for posting this davecpap.

I've been seeing this therapist for a couple weeks with no improvement in my mood, and he was always on me about exercise - citing several studies and meta-studies showing moderate exercise is MORE effective than SSRIs - in the sense that I would see results a lot sooner and that the results are longer lasting. I've taken SSRIs in the past, and it tooks 6-8 weeks for them to kick in, the exercise has made me feel a lot better a lot sooner. Exercise seems better too because folks who kick the SSRI habit (myself included) often see a return of symptoms a few months later. So far I've been exercising regularly only about a couple weeks, and you know what? So far he's right. I think taking an active role in my health - by having small, progressive goals and meeting them gives me a sense of accomplishment, which really helps my mood. Its light night and day - took some time, but a lot quicker than my last stint years ago on SSRIs.

[chellesings]

Still fighting with my *&$$#&())*&&& mask!!!