Paying Off Sleep Debt

Unfortunately, from my reading over at apneaboard.com, some people never do get out of the 'brain fog'. Even with tweaked machines doing really well for their owners, the owners swear they're almost worse off than they were prior to commencing their treatment. I am not one of those.....but...I can't tell you how surprised I was to learn I had sleep apnea. No, SEVERE...sleep apnea. I was shocked. I slept well, reliably. I didn't sleep long, maybe 5.5-6.5 hrs each night, but it was solid, and I dreamt. Fortunately, things didn't go south when I commenced my treatment.

I feel for people like you who can't seem to get out from under the apparent deficit. You will have to convince yourself that you're getting long-enough sleep, and that the quality is good. Your morning AHI record must become part of your self-assurance that you are breathing well and getting rest.

And to that effect...................................................................................................................IS...your morning AHI less than about 3.0? If it is 4. 6, or higher, you're getting too many hourly arousals and/or obstructions. Remember, the AHI stands for 'apnea/hypopnea index.' You may not be getting many/too many apnea events, but if you have 'UARS' or some other disorder (upper airway resistance syndrome), and you struggle to breath freely, your heart is still coping, and so is your brain that desperately needs better sleep. You need to know your morning's AHI number about the previous night's sleep.

I appreciate this information sincerely! I did not realize some people do not get out of the brain fog, and I've been over to apneaboard.com before this. Glad you are not dealing with this.

On new CPAP, my AHI is more or less under 3 with no centrals. I brought manometer and oximeter and those both show great readings.
I'm just really hoping I just have a horrendous sleep debt and that now that I have a new machine and also now MUCH better sleep hygiene, I will start to feel better.

I am actually going to doctor tomorrow to rule out any other serious issues.

I've been charting my sleep for months, and see I was getting 6 hours and 45 minutes more or less and I've known for years that I need a solid 8.

I figure if I was getting 60 AHIs on my bad machine, and now have new new, even though AHI is great, I was not even 7 hours of sleep, I was just hurting myself. Again, hoping this explains what I'm feeling physically.

So, we'll see. Definitely interested in any other thoughts and experiences you can share.

Again, thank you!

Did you ever have a proper overnight polysomnography? They may not be everyone's cuppa, but they're the gold standard for finding out what is wrong with your sleep. This includes REM disorder, restless leg syndrome, bruxism (teeth grinding), somnambulance, and so on. There is more to sleep than just maintaining a splinted airway all night long.

I'm glad you don't have centrals. BTW, over at apneaboard.com, in the black marquee at top, most of the way to the right, see OSCAR. That is a freeware (very carefully engineered, monitored, reviewed, revised, and kept free from outside 'influences') that you can download from the site and use on your computer. It will read the SD card in your CPAP machine as often as you wish to have it done. Once you learn what it offers in the way of data, and you'll be amazed (don't allow yourself to be put off or dismayed...there's a LOT there...) you can even fiddle gently, and in tiny increments or decrements, with your settings to fine tune your treatment. We encourage everyone to do that, if only to become familiar with their prescription in a more concrete way, but also to take full command of it. Little tweaks can sometimes mean substantial improvements in daily AHI reports, even dropping an AHI of 3/4 down to 1.5. This means halving the number of events of all kinds....EACH HOUR!! I don't meanta brag, but....my AHI over the past six years has run around 0.5 events. I don't know how I got so lucky, but I'll happily take it. Mind you, I had to pay with atrial fibrillation first. It was the result of my three/four years of undetected 'severe' sleep apnea. My heart was paying the price...all night long...for years.

Great info! I've never had a polysomnography but in the back of my mind, I have been thinking about it. I've just used apps from the Google Play store, I know those are not accurate though 🙂

I discovered OSCAR years backs and have posted my charts to apneaboard, and yes, was able to make some tweaks. This biggest was lowering AHI including CAs when moving Trigger from Medium to Very High. Made other tweaks, but it's seems that where I was was fine all along, or at least the daily results say so 🙂

You mentioned about atrial fibrillation. I hope that is not a bother for you. It is part of the reason for me going to doctor. I should not feel THIS tired, where I have such problems.

I really, REALLY appreciate this information you have provided to me.

I'll be going to bed at 9:30 PM again tonight 🙂

It used to be a bother. I was highly symptomatic with thumping in my chest wall, I was restless and had to pace (couldn't sit with the missus and watch TV if my heart went into AF). Fortunately, my AF always settled down just as I fell asleep. Reliably, no exceptions...the weirdest thing because my sister in law is like many AF sufferers whose hearts GO INTO AF just as they settle down in bed. How awful!

I had a catheter ablation that isolated the area where the unwanted electrical signal was entering the rear wall of my left atrium, the place where the pulmonary veins empty into that chamber. I have been free of AF for seventeen sweet months now. Deo volente, it will continue.

I highly recommend apneaboard.com and OSCAR.

Thank you kindly. I have been over to apneaboard.com and shared my OSCAR data. We've made some tweaks and was able to eliminate the central apneas. When my average AHI was 3 night after night, I came to the conclusion that I no longer need to tweak any settings. At least I hope that is the case. I am now focusing on better sleep hygiene.

Your AF does not sound like fun at all. Glad you have not had issues for 17 months!