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Permalink Reply by Sharon Fine on December 3, 2009 at 3:19pm

I think I was so tired all the time that my memory was greatly affected. Since using the CPAP, it is much better. I now claim any memory loss is due to brain overload!! lol.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Noth on December 3, 2009 at 6:26pm

Besides feeling much better, with more energy and less depression, I am better at finding the right word when speaking. Since I train people, being able to sound coherent and competent is very important to me. I do much, much better when I have a good night's sleep, which my CPAP helps to provide.

Thanks for the website!

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Permalink Reply by bonesigh on December 3, 2009 at 6:26pm

Definite memory loss (short term). I was really hoping this would get better but has not but...maybe the therapy was not quite right. I'm starting my 3rd year and have gotten a new machine (15 days on it now). I get the data each a.m. so I know it's doing it's job but I don't feel any better. Maybe I just need more time on the new machine. In some ways I feel worse! I'm so cranky and feel down all the time but people say they don't think it is depression. My sleep doc was a psychiatrist and she doesn't think so. I just feel that there is something else going on here, hormones, RLS or ? I'm currently researching what to do about Candida overgrowth in the intestines, etc. that can cause memory loss and fatigue and other symptoms. Just the other day I went to turn the fan off in the bathroom, which I did, I thought, a few minutes later I heard the fan. When I went back the door was locked but no one was inside. My daughter said she saw me lock the door and walk away. Why she didn't say anything is a wonder.

I saw a Nova program about dreams, very interesting. Two kinds of dream states, hard to explain it all but some people only get the one kind of REM and it is not the restorative kind. You only have anxious dreams, no pleasant ones. All my dreams are the anxious kind. I also am still aware of waking up quite a bit during the night. How many times is normal?

Melinda Hertel said:

I struggle with short-term memory loss too. My ability to concentrate and read has improved with CPAP. However, there are times that I struggle to remember things throughout the day, and I also have times where I struggle to get words out--the thoughts are there, but I can't find the words. I lose my train of thought too.

For me, since I am female, I believe it has a lot to do with monthly hormonal fluctuations. The reason I mention that is because there are other medical reasons why memory/concentration can be affected. If lack of O2 from sleep apnea is the cause, CPAP should help. However, if it doesn't help, there may be other causes for you. I am also still tired all the time, although my stamina and ability to focus have improved. I was beginning to fear falling asleep driving--that doesn't happen anymore.

I guess my point is....sleep apnea causes a lot of these problems. But, CPAP doesn't always fix them 100% if there are other physiological issues present.

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Permalink Reply by Jeanne Berry on December 3, 2009 at 6:49pm

I was too tired to thing before I had treatment. It took months, but I feel that I am fully recovered, and able to all that I want. I haven't noticed any gaps, nor has my family, and they would tell me immediately. I was sleep deprived, and now am not. Since I am 60, I have normal aging issues (where are the car keys?) but nothing notable.

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on December 3, 2009 at 7:17pm

I was diagnosed with severe OSA the end of June '09. For the previous 3-4 years I had had very serious memory problems, nearly all of it short term. It progressed steadily during that time to the point that my grown children, my friends, and myself were increasingly concerned that I might have Alzheimer's or dementia of some kind.

I had classic symptoms of Alzheimer's!!

I've always driven a lot in my work, followed directions to unknown addresses, read maps, traveled alone, etc.--I got to the point where I couldn't find my way home from familiar places, got lost, missed exits and didn't realize it (often until many miles down the road). There were many, many times I had to call a friend or my son to have them tell me step-by-step how to get home 'cause I had no idea where I was. (I know my way around Indianapolis with my eyes shut!!!!!, have lived in this area for nearly 35 years).

I couldn't remember appointments despite having them in my usual appointment book, forgot my kids' birthdays endlessly, sometimes for months, couldn't remember what I was reading from one page to the next, etc.

I was constantly having difficulty with concentrating while driving and toward the end, prior to diagnosis, actually fell asleep driving and had a wreck, totally my fault. Thank God no one was hurt. I don't remember going into the intersection, or the car coming at me, nothing until impact. Totally unlike my driving history.

Sufficeth to say, my life was a train wreck.

When it began it was kinda funny (even to me), but as time went by, and day-to-day life got impacted more and more, it began to be scary for all of us. I took gingko biloba, tried to work crossword puzzles, tried to read and do memory-enhancing things--nothing helped--it got worse and worse.

All of which is to say, it was ALL related to OSA!! I know that for a fact, now, because I've been on CPAP every night since sometime in July, and ALL those symptoms are GONE.

They're gone.....

I honestly don't know what would have happened to me if I hadn't finally gotten diagnosed and treated. I was significantly impaired and heading straight downhill, mentally and emotionally.

I'm as close to being normal now as I've been years (well, as close to being normal as I could EVER be!!!) lol

Sleep apnea is an illness that terrifies me. I was diagnosed with heart disease 4 years ago and was scared badly by that, but nothing compares to the fear I have re: having OSA. I'll NEVER be out of treatment unless someone puts me in a sleep study and says I don't have it anymore. Doubt if THAT'S gonna happen.....

So my long, complex answer to your question, Mike, is yes, I've had problems with memory related to sleep apnea. And yes, they've been virtually healed with CPAP treatment.

However, I agree with whoever said (in this discussion) that there can be other causes for memory loss. It should always be evaluated. The fact that mine wasn't is a function of, not only MDs making assumptions re: age-related problems, but ALSO my own impairment which prevented my usually pro-active stance related to my own health care.

Gotta take the bull by the horns and insist that MDs listen to your concerns. I'm a firm believer!!

Susan McCord

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Permalink Reply by Claudia on December 3, 2009 at 8:02pm

I'm not quite sure what you mean but I have found that my memory has improved since using CPAP. It must have to do with finally getting oxygen on a regular basis.

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Permalink Reply by Reva L Callaway on December 3, 2009 at 9:21pm

It was because of memory problems that my neurologist sent me for a sleep test! I have only been using my c-pap for 2 months, but, I think it is helping...actually- I really hope it is helping!
Riobha

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Permalink Reply by Melba Cooper on December 3, 2009 at 10:55pm

Over the last year of my treatment I have enjoyed a marked improvement in memory and concentration. Melba

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Permalink Reply by Susan on December 4, 2009 at 3:07am

I was just diagnosed with OSA last year, but I suspect I've had it for years. The BiPap machine I have right now isn't helping much because I also have issues with the sinus cavity such as a deviated septum and enlarged turbinates. My ENT doctor says that as it stands, I cannot get the full benefit of the machine because the air has to fight through the maze of sinus structure before hitting the airway.

I hope to have septoplasty next year to correct the problem and try to lose some weight so that my OSA would eventually go away.


At any rate, due to the above, I certainly have memory loss, mostly short term though. Sometimes I'll tell someone I'll call them and I totally forget about it. I have to write everything down. I am trying to find solutions myself, but to answer your question, yes, OSA does affect your memory function.

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Permalink Reply by dave foster on December 4, 2009 at 5:55am

Susan, i too have a deviated septum, so the doctor decided to just go w it, got me a full face mask [still leaves funny marks on the bridge of my nose, oh well] instead of the surgery. i wonder if i have memory loss, or if i have just plain killed off too many brain cells! Have you ever walked into a room, only to stand there and ask, why did i come in here? and yet i can recall items from 30 yrs ago w clarity.How much of this is from OSA and how much from getting a bit older? Using the machine has helped me a lot, but if you were to ask me, what was dinner 2 nights ago...or where i drove to yesterday...or my next drs appointment...or where i laid my glasses down...you might get a blank look! guess i need more ZZZZZ's on the pap.

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Permalink Reply by Sandra Kay Goodwin on December 4, 2009 at 7:12am

Hi Susan, I totally relate to what you are saying. I have to make stick notes to remind me of things all the time. I write a list of everyhthing I have to do as far as paying bills, thing to do. etc. It is terrible. I am taking folic acid for memory loss, but I can't tell that it really helps that much.

Mary Noth said:

Besides feeling much better, with more energy and less depression, I am better at finding the right word when speaking. Since I train people, being able to sound coherent and competent is very important to me. I do much, much better when I have a good night's sleep, which my CPAP helps to provide.

Thanks for the website!

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Enderle on December 4, 2009 at 9:01am

I was diagnosed with UARS and definitely suffered (actually still do) with memory problems due to sleep deprivation. At its worse, I felt like a zombie with brain fog, unable to put together coherent thoughts or carry out the tasks required in my job. Increasing the pressure of the CPAP machine has helped, but I still have memory problems & fatigue.

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