I was diagnosed with OSA three years ago and initially felt so much better. Now I am falling asleep during the day and have had some scary moments driving ( like "zoning out" then waking up quickly) I don't know if I am snoring since I live alone. Should I have another sleep study done? Maybe the pressure is too low (can the setting requirement change?) or could it be something else (narcolepsy?). I don't like my new Comfort Classic mask. Maybe it's not fitting right. Any insight would be appreciated!
Pam

preames wrote:

I was diagnosed with OSA three years ago and initially felt so much better. Now I am falling asleep during the day and have had some scary moments driving ( like "zoning out" then waking up quickly) I don't know if I am snoring since I live alone. Should I have another sleep study done? Maybe the pressure is too low (can the setting requirement change?) or could it be something else (narcolepsy?). I don't like my new Comfort Classic mask. Maybe it's not fitting right. Any insight would be appreciated!
Pam

Hi Pam,

Your suspicions might well be correct.  If your mask is leaking, you aren't getting proper treatment.  Your mask is a nose mask, right?  If you are breathing through your mouth, even some, while using only a nose mask, then you aren't getting proper treatment.  Or, yes, it's possible the pressure isn't high enough, and what's required can change due to different factors, I believe (though I don't understand it all).  

It's hard, when you live alone, to know what's going on while you're sleeping.  If it's just the mask or nose/mouth breathing problem, then you won't need a sleep study.  But you might check with your doctor, and your insurance if you have that, to see if you should and can use insurance to cover another study.
If it's a mask leak problem only, then you might try another mask.  Some are better than others, and everyone's face is a little different.  I don't know how best to figure out if it's a mask or breathing problem.  Perhaps someone here can suggest something.  If it's only a breathing problem, there are options, of using a chin strap or use a full face mask, which covers the nose and mouth.  Hopefully others will chime in with some thoughts.  And certainly you should inform your doctor or find one who can help.

Whatever you do, feel free to ask more questions here and let us know how it's going.  

Linda

preames wrote:

I was diagnosed with OSA three years ago and initially felt so much better. Now I am falling asleep during the day and have had some scary moments driving ( like "zoning out" then waking up quickly) I don't know if I am snoring since I live alone. Should I have another sleep study done? Maybe the pressure is too low (can the setting requirement change?) or could it be something else (narcolepsy?). I don't like my new Comfort Classic mask. Maybe it's not fitting right. Any insight would be appreciated!
Pam

By all means you need to contact your sleep doc.  Something is not right.  It is possible that your pressure required changed or you aren't getting enough pressure with your current mask (possibly due to leaks or maybe even a machine problem)  But I can't stress enough that if you are experiencing such as falling asleep during the day and zoning out, you NEED to get it checked!

Let us know how it goes.


Regards,

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea last year and currently use my cpap at 6. I just recently did another sleep study and was diagnosed with narcolepsy also. My cpap showed that my apnea was controlled but i was still soooo very tired during the day and needed to nap everyday!!! I also have chronic daily headaches and take meds that make me drowsy. Its a vicious cirlce for me. I had no idea I had sleep disorders. I first went to sleep study because of my headaches and found out about the apnea and now narcolepsy. I suggest another sleep study!! If not to diagnose narcolepsy.....to make sure your cpap is controlling the apnea. GOOD LUCK 2 U!!!