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+--- Thread: Looking for advice, CPAP for almost 2 years and still tired (/Thread-Looking-for-advice-CPAP-for-almost-2-years-and-still-tired)
Looking for advice, CPAP for almost 2 years and still tired - shredflanders - 12-19-2023
Hey everyone, I've been reading this forum trying to get more information on how I can improve my sleep and was hoping to get some advice with my OSCAR data.
I got diagnosed with sleep apnea almost exactly two years ago, got my Airsense 11 a few weeks later and have been using it since. AHI for my sleep study was 65, mostly Obstr. Hypopneas.
Problem is, I'm still constantly exhausted. Dr said my charts all look great and didn't really have any suggestions last time we spoke. I no longer feel like I'm dying when I wake up which is great, but I have no energy, constantly sleepy, grumpy, etc, even though my AHI looks good on its face.
I used a nasal mask up until 6 months ago when I switched over to the full face to see if it helped. Feels like its helped a little, with the added benefit of less chapped lips in the dry Minnesota winters when I wake up!
6'2 and 490lbs, working on losing weight but its even more difficult when you are exhausted all the time. Recently got bloodwork done, everything seemed normal, I had low Vitamin D so been taking the supplements for a few months now.
I grabbed a few screenshots from OSCAR that I'm including, the last 2 nights sleep and 2 from a few weeks back. I had read that turning off EPR could help in some cases so I've tried that for a few nights without success, so including two nights when I had EPR on if that is helpful. I really appreciate any suggestions, thank you in advance and happy holidays!
RE: Looking for advice, CPAP for almost 2 years and still tired - BoxcarPete - 12-19-2023
You need to increase your minimum pressure and/or consider re-enabling EPR. Your flow limitations are out of control, these are how your machine rates poorly formed breaths and generally coincide with partial obstructions that can cause your body to react in a handful of ways, none of which are good for your sleep quality. EPR tends to keep these to a minimum.
Keep working on the weight. I know it's easier said than done, but it's important. My brother got up to a weight like that in 2020, being stuck at home so much was not kind to him. He had trouble even mowing his lawn at that weight, but once he started to see actual numbers on his scale again it got easier to keep his body moving and the progress was encouraging. My best advice to you would be to pick something small but concrete, like a nice 10-minute walk every day, and stick with it no matter what. Then, keep adding little things as you are able, and you will build momentum. Best of luck to you.
RE: Looking for advice, CPAP for almost 2 years and still tired - shredflanders - 12-19-2023
Good to know! I will give that a shot, appreciate it