10-02-2023, 09:58 AM
CPAP trial - Improvements but exhausted still
Hello folks, after quite a long wait between my study and trial availability (March to September) I've finally been able to start a CPAP trial. Originally the study showed mild OSA with an AHI of 7.8. But that coupled with ADHD left me with poor executive function, so my doctor recommended pursuing the trial. Machine availability was a big issue so I ended up with the ResMed 10 for her model, otherwise I'd still be waiting for the trial to start.
Anyways, I started early September with the machine and it took a few weeks before I was able to regularly get over 4 hours of sleep or more with the mask on (F&P Brevida nasal pillow mask). I get some leaking here and there but doesn't seem too bad. And overall the result is pretty good - the tech I was working with to get the machine dialed in commented that above 10 I seemed to be waking up, and I commented that at 6 I seemed to be fighting the machine, but otherwise I think I'm tolerating the therapy quite well. With a pressure range of 7-10, humidity on 4 and temp at 21 all seems well.
The biggest problem is how exhausted I am all the time. It's actually worse than it was before, previously I'd describe it more as unmotivated vs. outright exhaustion. I figured it would be quite the opposite. It's difficult to even get out of bed in the morning, even after 8 or 9 hours of sleep that both the ResMed app and Garmin Connect (Instinct 2 smartwatch) told me I got a great night.
So far this morning I fell back asleep after my wife left for work, forced myself out of bed, had a coffee and a yogurt, washed up and got ready for the day (I work from home). I usually have a light breakfast and lunch and get out for a walk midday, taper off the caffeine after lunch, no pop or anything sugary for the most part, no alcohol, and try to hit my steps each day. I've even managed to lose a little over 7 pounds since starting CPAP (and was just borderline overweight to begin with) and my general anxiety/nervousness is noticeably less. I'm ready to go back to bed.
I really am at a bit of a loss so hoping there might be some indication as to what is going on here, the OSCAR results look good but I'm no expert at reading these. I could maybe try upping the max pressure to 10.5 as it seems to get cut off once in a while but also I appear to have the odd CA when the pressure is elevated (maybe CO2 washout?). Maybe up the min pressure as well as I still feel like I'm pulling through the machine a bit on the low end. I excluded last nights' results as I had a few drinks with friends at dinner at it was CA city the first half hour of sleep, but if that continues in a few more days I'll include those as well.
Anyways, I started early September with the machine and it took a few weeks before I was able to regularly get over 4 hours of sleep or more with the mask on (F&P Brevida nasal pillow mask). I get some leaking here and there but doesn't seem too bad. And overall the result is pretty good - the tech I was working with to get the machine dialed in commented that above 10 I seemed to be waking up, and I commented that at 6 I seemed to be fighting the machine, but otherwise I think I'm tolerating the therapy quite well. With a pressure range of 7-10, humidity on 4 and temp at 21 all seems well.
The biggest problem is how exhausted I am all the time. It's actually worse than it was before, previously I'd describe it more as unmotivated vs. outright exhaustion. I figured it would be quite the opposite. It's difficult to even get out of bed in the morning, even after 8 or 9 hours of sleep that both the ResMed app and Garmin Connect (Instinct 2 smartwatch) told me I got a great night.
So far this morning I fell back asleep after my wife left for work, forced myself out of bed, had a coffee and a yogurt, washed up and got ready for the day (I work from home). I usually have a light breakfast and lunch and get out for a walk midday, taper off the caffeine after lunch, no pop or anything sugary for the most part, no alcohol, and try to hit my steps each day. I've even managed to lose a little over 7 pounds since starting CPAP (and was just borderline overweight to begin with) and my general anxiety/nervousness is noticeably less. I'm ready to go back to bed.
I really am at a bit of a loss so hoping there might be some indication as to what is going on here, the OSCAR results look good but I'm no expert at reading these. I could maybe try upping the max pressure to 10.5 as it seems to get cut off once in a while but also I appear to have the odd CA when the pressure is elevated (maybe CO2 washout?). Maybe up the min pressure as well as I still feel like I'm pulling through the machine a bit on the low end. I excluded last nights' results as I had a few drinks with friends at dinner at it was CA city the first half hour of sleep, but if that continues in a few more days I'll include those as well.
