How long does "sleep debt" last?

I know that it probably varies by everyone but how long did it take until you felt your "debt" was paid off? I am sleeping better now, don't feel like I have to take a nap in the middle of the day so that's good. Just wondering how long till I really feel better.
Heather

I would say that "sleep debt" is paid off a little at a time but it only starts after you get adjusted to the therapy. There may be a time of adjusting to the mask, the noise, the hose, the pillow position, the body positioning and the psychological effect all while trying to stay asleep. Once you get the "kinks" worked out, I think the sleep debt payback period varies; however, for most I would say probably within a few months you should feel more energy and a clearer brain.
The symptoms of sleep apnea snuck up slowly for me, and I think they left slowly as well. I am now enjoying a renewed energy and great sleep because of my CPAP. Good luck in regaining a new energy and a clearer mind.

Karen

I was on cpap for about two months when I started to feel better. 9 month after I started cpap I had a UPPP and my tonsils removed. After I was recovered from the surgery I started feeling better real fast. I haven't taken a nap all year except during recovery from the surgery and one time when I had the flu I napped for about two hours.
But I wasn't really napping before, I was passing out. I could not sit down after I at a meal or I would have been sound asleep pre cpap.

If you don't need to take a nap during the day that is a big improvement. When I really started to feel better before my surgury I was sleeping a lot. My normal bedtime is anytime after 10 but I was in bed sound asleep by 9 and sometimes 8. I was getting up around 5:30 which is my normal time but I felt great. I think my body was telling me to go to sleep now that I was adjusted and was trying to get some sleep paid back.

Gerry

I'd say it took several months.

For me, it's been almost 2 months on cpap. Haven't needed a nap since the 1st week. Am still sleeping 8-9 hours per night. I assume I'm still paying off sleep debt, though I am feeling more energetic every day.

Thanks for your replies. I am very thankful for this forum!! I too am feeling more energetic every day and am hopeful that it will continue to be that way. Anybody else want to share? It seems that sleep debt could last several months?
Heather

I agree with Padacheek, it is alittle at a time. I think I finally am getting there & my sleep debt has been paid. It will be 6 months this weekend when I started Cpap.

I really enjoyed reading about Flow Limitation in the Wiki section.

wiki/index.php/Upper_Airway_Resistance_Syndrome

What particularly struck me was how UARS can disturb sleep architecture and the CPAP User can continue to suffer excessive daytime drowsiness (EDS).

Also, though obvious, OSA becoming worse after beginning treatment. I was putting up with EDS, not really realizing that I needed a Sleep Study.

Speaking for myself, it's not a linear process. Sinus infections, increased fatigue, feeling better then slipping back into EDS with cognitive limitations.

It's more of a battle for me, with a constantly shifting DMZ. I aspire to a day when there is no 'sleep debt', but it is fleeting...

The only consistency I face, is suffering without the CPAP therapy. That is a certainty!!

SG

Once you begin to feel better and have a bad night, you will realize how good things are when you wake up exhausted with a pounding headache.

Gerry

meusion wrote:... I know that it probably varies by everyone but how long did it take until you felt your "debt" was paid off? I am sleeping better now, don't feel like I have to take a nap in the middle of the day so that's good. Just wondering how long till I really feel better. ...

Heather, I think there are two parts to this answer. Sleep deprivation is solved fairly quickly. For example, you no longer feel the need to sleep during the day. So, you are seeing some improvement already. See the "Treatment" section:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_deprivation

This article (which concurs with other reading I've done) notes:

About 60% of patients, when sleep-deprived, show immediate recovery, with most relapsing the following night.

But the problem is that sleep deprivation also can impact many other parts of your body. It is in fact a definite form of torture. So, if the sleep deprivation has been significant enough, it will take your body longer to recover. So, as an example, I now need to get some exercise to help rebuild my cardiovascular system and reduce weight. Without good sleep I could not do that. With the sleep, I've started walking again. Eventually I will feel much better than I do now.

And if the duration of sleep deprivation is extensive enough it may have a permanent impact. For example, I now have Type 2 Diabetes as a result of my prolonged sleep deprivation. (The weight gain, the increased use of food to fight sleep, etc. all contributed to this change). In this case, I now need to manage this change to my body. But doing so makes me feel better.

So, while "It depends!" is the answer, the good news is that you should start to see some progress. And from what you note, you are seeing it already, which helps.

I've been dealing with sleep apnea for years and untreated successfully until a month ago where a found a mask that I can keep on the whole night. But I've been dealing with these attacks that consist of extreme fatigue and overall body pain that hit me all at once and it takes several days to recoup from these "attacks".

Has anyone else experienced this type of thing?

Please let me know.

Thank You,

Joe

Joe - this is a very old thread... 2009 I believe.

Best to start your own thread and add your equipment/mask also. You'll receive many more responses that way.