(09-02-2013, 08:23 PM)Harryl Wrote: I have been using Cpap for three years
And have not had a completely good night
Sleep. Much of the time even when everything
Is working just right I get 2 hours of sleep at a time.
...
For me a good night sleep is stringing together
A couple two hour sessions with the mask
On and that is still not really enough.
Can anyone give me any insight as to
Why Cpap is only partially working for me, despite
Years of trying to master it.
Hi Harryl,
I think we need more data.
Do you have a doctor you can work with to help find the problem(s)?
If you had a sleep study and/or titration, you can ask for copies of the full-length reports, including plots of the data. There may be important clues in the reports about what are the problems now, such as perhaps periodic limb movements or central apneas.
If it has been longer than a year or two since your last sleep study, would it be feasible to have another sleep study?
If you have a data-capable machine (not the Escape model) have you been able to look at plots of your data to see if your pressure is max'ing out, or if Central apneas or Obstructive apneas/hypopneas are awakening you?
If you develop a habit of turning off the machine for 15 seconds whenever you are awakened, this may help you identify awakenings in the data plots.
Perhaps you can keep a diary and pencil close to your bed or in the bathroom, and take notes whenever you are awakened or whenever you actually get up.
When you awaken, are you usually in a particular position, such as on your back or stomach? Is your heart pounding harder than normal?
You don't mention having any problems with Leaks, or dryness/humidity, or mask discomfort. Excessive Leak can prevent the machine from applying effective therapy. Excessive dryness can cause discomfort and awaken us.
I've heard that taking some sleep-inducing drugs (even some of the non-prescription ones) can prevent deep restorative sleep.
If you are able to obtain a recording pulse-oximeter (such as are available from
Supplier #19 on our supplier list), I think it would likely provide important information about the problems you are experiencing. If the clock on the pulse-ox is carefully adjusted to match the clock in your machine, you would be able to easily match up events in the plots from the pulse-ox software and in plots from ResScan or SleepyHead.
Hang in there and don't give up searching for answers.
Take care,
--- Vaughn
The Advisory Member group provides advice and suggestions to Apnea Board administrators and staff on matters concerning Apnea Board operation and administrative policies. Membership in the Advisory Member group should not be understood as in any way implying medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.