Fitbit sleep efficiency of under 50%

[PaulWMather]

For my entire adult life I have been tired, I wake up every night over and over. I literally live in a fatigured state, it's ridiculous.

My main reason for purchasing a Fitbit, was to see just how "normal" my sleeping was. Of course, I realise it's not an accurate gague. 

In the past week my sleep efficiency is 40-55% with around 4 hours sleep per night, from 8-9 hours in bed. 

I have the Fitbit one and it's set to "sensitive" as I did suspect sleep problems. 

I don't snore and I am not overweight, so my GP wouldn't entertain anything like sleep apnea. I have no idea why I keep waking up. Any suggestions as to where I could start figuring out the reason for my bad sleep?

[Cmyst]

you dont have to snore or be over weight to have apena. I would push him for a sleep study. There are other sleep disorders also that it may be so fight for what you know your body needs.

[shelley6591]

I am having the same issue. It recorded 3hrs21 mins the night before last so I made sure I went to bed early last night and I was in bed for 10hrs45 mins and only slept a bit over 6, I knew it was bad just not this bad. I also don't snore...

[helder]

Try to find the questionnaire SF-36 for your language. Reply and forward email me, please. Then, we talk again.

See this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SF-36

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@PaulWMather wrote:

For my entire adult life I have been tired, I wake up every night over and over. I literally live in a fatigured state, it's ridiculous.

My main reason for purchasing a Fitbit, was to see just how "normal" my sleeping was. Of course, I realise it's not an accurate gague. 

In the past week my sleep efficiency is 40-55% with around 4 hours sleep per night, from 8-9 hours in bed. 

I have the Fitbit one and it's set to "sensitive" as I did suspect sleep problems. 

I don't snore and I am not overweight, so my GP wouldn't entertain anything like sleep apnea. I have no idea why I keep waking up. Any suggestions as to where I could start figuring out the reason for my bad sleep?

I'm Physical therapist, expert in physical exercises and psychobiological aspects (like sleep)

[_dt]

I saw the ads for RLS on TV and said, "There's a made up disease to make the drug companies money."  Shortly after, I was sent to a sleep specialist with suspected apnea.  I recorded over 200 episodes of RLS in the first 30 minutes.  Taught me a lesson....

[User1234]

PaulWMather - For what it's worth, I have exactly the same sleep pattern, according to my Flex, which is set to normal sensitivity.  I'm about 60% sleep and 40% restless, sometimes closer to 50/50, and I'm usually in bed for 7-8 hours.  I'm really perfectly fine.  I don't feel tired during the day at all; in fact, I have a pretty high energy level. Sometimes I feel a little droopy in the evening, but not always.  My opinion?  I don't think these things are very accurate in tracking sleep. There's no way a person could function on four hours of sleep a night, day in and day out, so I can only conclude that I'm actually sleeping quite soundly during my so-called "restless" periods. I wouldn't worry about it.  If you are really convinced there's something wrong, by all means consult a doctor, but try to stay out of the hypochondria zone.  These trackers can bring that out in you.

[sleepydiver]

Just wanted to clear some of the myths about sleep apnea and sleep disorders. First off, generally in the sleep lab I work at (I've been a RPSGT for over 10 years now) people with sleep disorders range anywhere from super fit to grossly overweight. All ages from 3 yrs old to 90. Sleep diorders know no age or weight limit. There are approximately 70 disorders. Many people have PLM's which are peridoic limb movements at night and never realize it because when people think of leg kicks or arm movements they think of big movements. These are generally very small movements, but are enough to wake you out of your sleep cycle and start all over again. You do not have to snore to have apnea and you can snore and not have apnea. We also tend to get used to being tired since it's effects accumulate over time.

[Lynnfromoregon]

I've read the 4 pages on this thread and have not heard anyone mention use of a sound machine at your bedside.  A sound machine plays natural sounds that soothe you and cover up any small sounds in your house that might wake you.  I use one and even take it traveling with me.  It works with me but might take some getting use to.

Also, keep animals out of your room if they tend to be restless at night.

I take Vitamin D, Calcium/magnesium/zinc and melatonin.  It really helps.

[yoursmile]

Presence or absence of snoring doesn't rule out or indicate sleep apnea. Only a $1000 test in a sleep lab can rule it out. I found out that I have a moderate level of apnea and wake up ( on the ECG about 150 times a night) .

Wearing a CPAP mask is no piece of cake. Only 40% of people who have been prescribed a CPAP treatment actually wear it because the mask can be uncomfortable.

I'm just new with fitbit, and have been trying to monitor mt fitbit readings with and without the CPAP.

It does make a real difference in my readings.

One of my secrets of getting to sleep and falling back to sleep in the middle of the night is to turn on a show like NOVA or the new COSMOS show and set the sleep timer on my tv to 60 minutes.

I've never made it past 20 minutes before I fall back to sleep. The narration of Morgan Freeman on any show ie, the penguins also works great.

[yoursmile]

right on sleepdiver !

[Humptydank]

Why do you still live in a constant state of fatigue after diagnosis? Are you not using a CPAP?

Apnea is a dangerous condition not just from the fatigue. It can but serious strain on your heart as well.

[yoursmile]

Everything you say is true, But the mask ( all types) is very hard to get use to. Especially if you are use to sleeping on your stomach or side. Sometimes I have a worse night sleep with the CPAP on.

Not true for last night. Feeling great.

[Humptydank]

I'm a side sleeper and no doubt it takes some real getting used to, but for me this mask made a big difference:

http://www.cpap.com/productpage/puritan-bennett-new-breeze-system-sleepgear-interface-all-pillows.ht...

I've been using it for years and there have been mornings I've woken up and haven't been sure if it's still on.

But if you really have been diagnosed with sleep apnea then treating it is much more than just feeling rested. The repeated episodes of low blood oxygen during the night puts you at a seriously higher risk of stroke and sudden cardiac death.

Really, get used to the cpap, it's completely possible if you're patient and it's really important. You're gambling with a potentially deadly condition otherwise. 🙂

[ddmrobson]

When you say GP won't... Did you assk?  I think you can still have the problem not being overweight and not a snorer.

[rabbijan]

What am I supposed to do the information fitbit gives me about my sleep? Last night I had 21 restless times and 4 awake times in 5.5 hours of sleep. I know that's not good, but why do I really want to know this? Thanks.

[MSaranovich]

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you can get an device to fit in your mouth and it moves your jaw forward to give you a better air passageway.  They cost about $50 and you can order them on Amazon.  Seeing a doctor, ie. sleep specialist is also an excellent idea.

[EmersonFitbit]

@rabbijan I've moved your post here, so that others may chime in.

I believe the point of sleep tracking is your own reference; so that you may take a look for yourself and make your own decisions when it comes to increasing the quality of your sleep. We can't tell you what would work best for your, the sleep graphs are there for your own reference!

I'm sorry I can't give you a direct answer, but I hope you're in the right spot!

[countrygirl5167]

I am not sure but it is measuring I think your movement so if you are restless eg if its hot then you appear to be awake I think. When I am awake and laying quietly seems to think I am asleep. 

[RLJack]

Hi Thanks, I am on D also. It is the new fad in doctor land. Stay out of the Sun, that we evolved under and have parts of our brains that respond to it, now of course we need D.

[FrenchHornLove]

I have had a similar problem to yours and had a sleep study done. The results were that 1) I was grinding my teeth the ENTIRE NIGHT and had absolutely no idea. I got a prescription protector for my teeth and it helped a ton. 2) an antidepressant I was taking was interfering with my sleep, which can be a common side effect so I switched. 3) I have fibromyalgia which results in reduced Stage 4 (restorative) sleep and causes fatigue and drowsiness. Eating healthy, avoiding screens, and being active during the day doesn't cure it, but minimizes it. My sleep is nowhere near perfect now, but it is a lot better than before. I hope this gives you some ideas - good luck!