How COVID-19 Affected My Sleep Apnea

Over the last year, I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and given a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This adjustment has been hard and challenging, but I was starting to see some positive changes in my life. While working hard to implement a bedtime routine and adjusting to CPAP, I caught COVID-19. It affected my sleep apnea, using my CPAP machine, and more.

Catching COVID-19 after 2.5 years

I have other chronic health conditions I knew would be affected by COVID-19. Over the last 2.5 years, I obsessively worried about catching COVID-19 and did everything I could to avoid being infected. At the end of May 2022, it finally happened.

I had severe symptoms: high fever, sore throat, cough, horrible congestion, headache, body aches, and trouble breathing. My other health conditions also flared. I had terrible inflammation and pain that complicated my care.

How COVID-19 affects sleep apnea

What I did not take into account was how COVID-19 would affect my sleep. Due to the congestion, it was almost impossible to use my CPAP machine. Currently, I use a nasal pillow mask. My nose was so stuffy I could barely breathe, let alone use a CPAP machine. I had chest pain and heaviness that also made using a CPAP suffocating.

Bedtime routine and pain disruptions

I was recently diagnosed with a sleep-wake phase disorder, so I was adhering to a strict nighttime bed routine to adjust my sleeping habits. COVID-19 required me to sleep for extended periods of time, which threw off my schedule.

Additionally, the chronic pain from my other health conditions, the spiking fevers, and the inability to breathe led to restless sleep. I felt that all my hard work to manage my conditions had been for nothing.

Mental health, brain fog, and fatigue

With a COVID-19 infection, lack of sleep, and chronic pain, my mental health deteriorated. This illness has affected all aspects of my life.

Since then, I have mostly recovered. The worst of my symptoms have cleared, although I still have brain fog and get fatigued easily.

Recovery challenges

I received extra medication to manage my other conditions, but still, I have chronic flares and pain that affect my sleep. I am working hard to get my sleep schedule back on track, which is difficult because I went back to work and it is highly stressful.

Readjusting to my CPAP

One of the biggest challenges I have faced while recovering from COVID-19 has been re-adjusting to my CPAP machine. After 3 weeks of not using it, I feel like I am starting back at step 1.

I recently had a follow-up appointment and my doctor was able to adjust the pressure settings on my CPAP so I no longer feel like I am being suffocated. She also recommended I add Flonase (for my allergies) and melatonin (to help me fall asleep) to my sleep routine.

Having comorbid conditions

I found that focusing on my other conditions has helped my sleep as well. I’ve gotten medication to decrease my chronic pain and manage my flares. This helps me stay asleep and use my CPAP longer throughout the night. My mental health was also affected by COVID-19, so I have been utilizing more therapy appointments to get back on track.

Silver lining?

I am learning that many things affect my sleep. When I focus on bettering other aspects of my life and following a bedtime routine, my sleep apnea greatly improves. I guess if there was 1 silver lining of COVID-19, that would be it.

Did having COVID-19 affect your sleep apnea? Please share a comment.