I'm worse now!

[me50]

I'm just a light sleeper. With the straps around my head and the hose in my way, it's just hard to get comfortable when I'm used to burying my head in the pillow. I sleep on my side and it's a big adjustment not to sleep the way I've slept all these years. I'm constantly waking up because I'll feel uncomfortable. I'm breathing fine with the mask and it doesn't leak. I have a clock that projects the time on the ceiling. If I wake up and see that I've had the mask on long enough to be compliant, then I take the mask off and turn off the CPAP machine. I then can finally get a restful sleep. When I first started using the CPAP my wife told me to be optimistic. She said "Maybe you'll have even more energy than you do now." But that hasn't been the case. I was never tired before and had no trouble sleeping, now I'm exhausted and yawning all day. I've even started drinking coffee in the afternoon to try to get rid of the tired, groggy feeling I have. I NEVER drank coffee in the afternoon before. The only reason I'm doing this is I have to if I want to continue to drive, even though I've never been tired driving, but now I am. I am going to see a lawyer next week to see if anything can be done to get me off this machine, since I think I'm a greater risk driving now. I told my wife that I shouldn't even be driving as tired as I am, but that's what they want me to do and I'm compliant. I'm just not mentally alert from lack of sleep.

How many hours of sleep are you getting per night off of the CPAP (if you notice that you have 4 hours of CPAP therapy per night and turn the CPAP off)?

Maybe some of the other members that use nasal pillows can offer suggestions on being able to sleep on your side. I use a full face mask because I have allergies and when my nose stops up, I can't breath well. I still sleep on my side but catch myself rolling over on my back a lot.

Hope you find a good solution soon.

[Dsch73]

The DOT physical is a joke. When the doctor told me that I fit the profile for someone who might have sleep apnea and that I needed to be tested, he then gave me a 90 day extension on my medical card. So for 90 days I could still drive until I was tested. So if he thought I might have sleep apnea, should I have been driving? Then I get tested, go back with the results to get my medical card renewed and the doctor tells me I have to be on the CPAP machine for 30 days and be in compliance of using the machine at least 4 hours per day and then he extends my medical card for another 30 days. I had only been using the CPAP machine a week. I even told the doctor that I was tired now and I wasn't tired before. They act like you're lying to them! The good thing is I only drive 40-50 miles per day. I deliver locally and I'm usually only driving 5-10 minutes between stops. Not in a million years would I had ever gone to a sleep specialist thinking I had a sleep problem. Now I do have a sleep problem since I started using the CPAP!

[Dsch73]

I usually sleep for about 2-2 1/2 more hours after I take off the mask. I've been taking a nap in the afternoon now, since I'm tired when I get off work. I've been using the CPAP machine then too.

[archangle]

We need to know what model of CPAP machine you have.

Take out the water tank and look on the bottom of the blower unit for a number like "460P REF".

Also tell us what it says near the display. Something like "REMstar Pro CFlex+."

[vsheline]

BTW -- how do they enforce compliance with use of the machine? They readout the data card?

Each State may have its own requirements for periodic checkups on commercial drivers who have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea.

I think in some States an annual Sleep Study is required, or an annual statement from a doctor. Proof of compliance (by datacard or wireless modem) may be required annually or more often.

[lincolnr]

Everyone's acting like that first sleep study is gospel. Any chance you can get another one? Or have someone else look at the report from the first one?

Speaking of burying your head in the pillow, that or something like it ought to still be possible. When I use my CPAP (which is all night every night), I use a pillow under my head, and then a towel and another pillow on top. So I'm buried pretty well!

If a second study confirms the diagnosis, recommend you try different kinds of masks to see if that helps. Maybe even before that.

Does your machine give data? What kind of numbers do you get? Is it possible to set it (on a night before a day off) on a really low pressure and see if your numbers are better or worse? Not that anyone official will listen, I suppose.