Many "wakeful" periods - bad sleep or is "sensitive setting" wrong for me?

[andreabrie]

I never thought I got bad sleep until I monitored my sleep with fitbit!  I consistently get sleep efficiencies in the 50-60% range and have over two hours and between 10 and 15 wakeful periods a night.  On the other hand, when I use the "normal" setting, fitbit says I slept all night without waking up and I know that's not true either.  Suggestions?  Do I need to talk to my doctor about this?

[Devee]

Yes, I'm not surprised to hear your account of sleep apnea diagnosis. I have been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, but, after a year of trying to learn to sleep with the CPAP, I had to give up.  I'm undoubtedly hurting my health, but if you can't sleep at all, where are you?  I'm glad for you, though!

[Devee]

No offense taken.  I'm not overweight and I have a slender neck, but I am old (75 coming up) and I do have mild sleep apnea.  I couldn't get used to the CPAP - as I explaini elsewhere - going without sleep some nights almost entirely.  I wish I could use it successfully as I know I am damaging my health, but .. . . .

Thanks for your suggestion, though.

[MarieA]

I too had a hard time trying to use my CPAP machine.  I tried several masks, and would wake up with the mask on the floor.  I got so frustrated, I put everything away and gave up.  Then, after more than a year, I decided to try again, and I was successful.  Do not give up.  I finally settled on a "ResMed Switf FX for Her.  It's very comfortable, and I can read or watch TV while wearing it.  By the way, I don't have a thick neck, and I am slightly overweight, and I'm 72.  I do have a history of snoring, but was alway told it was because of sinus problems. 

[Devee]

I have mine set up to try again tonight! Thanks for encouragement!

[MarieA]

Good Luck!!

[camrrt]

Good for you  for going back and trying it again! Remember the life you save may be you own by wearing the machine. If diagnosed with sleep apnea it really is important to wear the machine. 

[Devee]

Thank you!  I've used it two nights now and it seems to be going better.  Addressing issue for others, if you snore, wake up with a dry mouth, and have many wakeful periods, consider a sleep test for apnea!

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@camrrt wrote:

Good for you  for going back and trying it again! Remember the life you save may be you own by wearing the machine. If diagnosed with sleep apnea it really is important to wear the machine. 

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[MarieA]

I'm so happy for you.  I don't know why it took me so long to finally be successful with my CPAP.  I was ready to live with all the issues associated with sleep apnea.  Then one day it just clicked for me.  Congratulations!  I'm glad I checked in with the discussion group.  Good Luck!

[mamamack]

I just stumbled upon this thread.  I'm so glad that someone mentioned a sleep study.  This is the only true way to know how you're sleeping.  It's not the easiest thing to do as you're hooked up to many wires but, it's so important.  If you think that you have a problem, I encourage you to talk to your doctor about a sleep study.  I wouldn't use my fitbit as the only way to track your sleep.  I won't go into my long story but, the short version is: I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in October 2013.  I got a cpap machine with a mask that just goes over my nose.  In December, I had an apnea surgery to remove my lingual tonsil tissue (attached to the base of my tongue), and partial removal of the uvula, and the epiglotis.  The tonsil tissue was completely blocking my airway when I slept.  My throat is still healing.  I had another study in April and my apnea is improved but,  not perfect. I will have another one at the end of the year.  *My last nights sleep was 0 times awake and 2 times restless, and I slept for 7 hr. 15 minutes. 

Good luck everyone!

[Hjane26]

I'm fairly certain my fitbit is pretty accurate, since I feel like I only get a few hours every night and it confirms that every time.  I broke down yesterday and scheduled a consultation at the sleep clinic next week, and I assume I'll have to do a sleep study overnight.  I highly doubt that I have sleep apnea, but I suppose it's possible for anyone.  I'm just ready to figure out what exactly is my problem and get more than 4 hours of sleep each night!!

[MarieA]

I did my sleep apnea test at home.  The sleep med tech sent me home with a CPAP loaner, and I use it several nights.  Then I returned it, and data were downloaded, and it was discovered that I have sleep apnea.

Maybe that would be an option, for you.

[flguy]

Hjane26, I went back through your posts on this thread.  One question you asked is whether partner movements could be affecting you.  The answer is probably "yes" if you are a light sleeper.  I/we have the same problem at home.

Have you tried OTC or prescription medications?

Besides playing with those, I am experimenting with other things you might want to try:  1) "Brain Wave Dream Inducer" app for your iPhone/tablet device, and 2) Bulletproof® Sleep Induction Mat.  I just bought the latter, but haven't tried it out yet.

The sound machine app is actually pretty nice but I can't say there is any qualitiative evidence it helps me sleep better.  Still, the search for answers continue.  I may need a sleep study as well.  I get between 5-6 hours, so not horrible, but I am really shooting for 7+.  I just don't think it's normal that I wake up so many times in the middle of the night.  Whenever I do get a full 7+ it's like a miracle, and the difference in how I feel is significant.  Good luck!

[duechristmas]

My daughter is a sleep walker and has a lot of troube sleeping, we're using the fitbit to monitor her sleep and for evidence. In sleep mode the fitbit does still monitor steps - it's brilliant as we can now see bathroom visits 910 steps there, 10 steps back) as opposed to night time wanderings (anything from 32-130 steps), what we don't know is if she's awake or sleep walking during these episodes.

[camrrt]

gOOD FOR YOU  to prevail and try and find an answer to your sleeping issues. I hope it works for you. Since I work nite I often sleep pretty crappy too-  I Have  problems trying to get to sleep.  its not cool to force your body to want to sleep during the day and stay awake all night.good luck

[Devee]

I cannot believe what a difference using the CPAP has made in my sleep quality and length!   The Flex has been worth its weight in gold for helping me see the light on this health problem!

[Hjane26]

I have tried a zillion medications out there (even though I HATE taking pills of any kind).  I have had sleep problems before and tried 4 different prescriptions, none of which worked longer than 3 hours for me.  OTC meds work occasionally, but the "hangover" the next day is not worth it for me.  I have also tried a white noise app, but that just made it worse (I know, I'm weird!).  I have not heard of this Bulletproof mat...will have to do some research on that.  I honestly cannot remember the last time I had more than 5 hours of sleep, and it's taking its toll big time...I guess I'll see what the sleep clinic says tomorrow!

[mamamack]

So glad that you're going to talk to a sleep doctor.  I hope he/she has some suggestions for you.  I don't know what your sleep problem is but, you will probably end up with a sleep study for a report. 

[Devee]

This can be a lifesaving diagnostic procedure. Congratulations for braving
it!

[Deccat]

I stopped drinking water 3 hours before bedtime and it has made a huge difference to my nighttime bathroom visits. Occasionally I'll have a few sips if I'm really thirsty.

[EmeraldRose]

It is very interesting to see my sleep patterns. I have insomnia, though my difficulty has always been with staying asleep. I keep my flex on the sensitive setting, just because I am such a restless sleeper. On an average night with 7 to 8 hours in bed, I will generally have 5 to 6 hours of actual sleep. Sometimes, I am awake every half hour to hour. 

This is great because I've always known that's how my sleep patterns go, but to actually see it is great!

The only thing I wonder about is when I wake up and have 50 or 60 steps, and don't remember getting up. But I figure I'm just more restless than usual those nights. 😉