Question:
I have asked before but this is now SCARY

I have been using my CPAP for over 2 months now. STILL EXHAUSTED. I wear a FULL FACE MASK. My pressure was raised from 10 to 12 becuase I was still able to snore lightly. The mask fits very well. Here's the problem... I am still so sleepy in the day I almost went off the road and into a mailbox. It was only a second but I fell asleep a block from home with MY KIDS IN THE CAR! I called the Dr, have an appt in a week and a half. Just had preop testing and blood sugars are normal. I do better with less that 6 hours of sleep. I am more tired and dangerous when I get over 7 hours. I have surgery on the July 10th, I am afraid to drive, I might not make it to my date! Any ideas what the heck is going on with me?    — candylnd24 (posted on June 25, 2003)

June 25, 2003
Hi! Are you comfortable with the mask? Do you sleep soundly with it on? I have had a CPAP for about 8 years, and it only worked poorly when 1. the mask wasn't correctly fitted, 2. the pressure was too low, or 3. my back and hip pain got too bad to allow me to sleep. I have been on several sleep medications to help me sleep, but my problems are all related to too little, not too much sleep... The only real answer is to check with your doctor, I think.
   — Tim W.

June 25, 2003
You should contact your pulmonologist immediately. I'm certainly not an expert, but once you start falling asleep at the wheel, you are at a critical point. It almost sounds like Narcolepsy. Good luck to you.
   — Lynette B.

June 26, 2003
I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy about 6 years back and what you are describing sounds just like me! I would strongly recommend that you talk to the doctors who performed your sleep study. If the sleep study was performed in the last couple of months, did they also perform the day testing (typically done AFTER the night/sleep study)? It's very possible that you have multiple sleep issues instead of just the Apnea. Contact your sleep specialists and explain what is happening, just don't be surprised if they request the day testing! Unfortunately, if it is Narcolepsy, there is no cure but there are medications that help you function during the day. Good Luck!
   — Dena C.

June 26, 2003
My husband just got a BiPAP machine about 3 weeks ago. It totally changed his life. You may want to ask your Dr. about moving to the BiPAP from the CPAP. My husband's pressure is set at 18 - VERY high. The problem with that is if the pressure is high, it becomes difficult to exhale. The BiPAP has two settings - 18 for when he inhales and 16 to allow him to exhale. It works great and the machine actually picks up on his breathing rhythym to make it more comfortable. Also, if your doctor increases your pressure, make sure the machine you get has a "ramp up" mode where the pressure increases slowly to allow you to fall asleep more easily. He had REALLY bad sleep apnea and was constantly falling asleep. He never had a CPAP, though, so I don't know if that would've helped him. Good luck!
   — mandajuice

June 26, 2003
Actually, you can have an enlarged uvula (the little thing that hangs down the middle of the back of your throat) that still causes obstruction despite the cpap or bipap; or even enlarged tonsils or palate area. You may still need to consider doing the sleep apnea surgery, called a UP3 for short. (uvulopharyngopalatoplasty is the technical name.) Just because you loose weight doesn't mean you don't still have an actual physical reason for your sleep apnea that might need to be looked at. Find yourself a good ear, nose & throat doctor and get yourself checked out. I couldn't use the machines, they just didn't work for me at all, so I had the UP3 and the difference it made was incredible. I didn't realize how exhausted I was, until I got so rested up by sleeping so well, and it really showed at about 3 months after the surgery. The difference was amazing! Good Luck.
   — Karen M.