I have found great variability with regard to fog and memory. I think it is directely related to quality of sleep. I had to switch masks once and stop several meds my primary put me on because I got worse. I have to take Ambien to really sleep. My doc added a chin strap, too. That was 2 mos. in. I now (3 mo) have a full mask, which helps. But I'm still working on what works best through experimentation. For example, you know that pinch on the bridge of your nose? A piece of cloth or micropore tape stops that. I couldn't get enough humidity through my machine, so I humidify the room air with a cool air humidifier. I run aromatherapy through a diffuser. And I irrigate sinuses x2 daily. I snort sesame oil as well. All of these things have helped some of those things that keep me from getting good quality sleep. I suppose if my job involved critical decisions, I'd ask to be moved to another position. I also use many memory aids like a Palm, check lists, double checking, notes, and just telling people to tell me when I forget something. Good luck. I hope it gets better.

I had the same thing happen to me while I was working. I actually quit my job before I got fired. I couldn't remember simple instructions or where i had put things. I have been on my cpap for about 2 months I think and the memory is improving. However, now I have time to make lists and not rush. I am sorry you are having this issue. Make lists, use post its, write notes. Document everything you can. Good luck sorry I wasn't much help except I have been there and know how frustrating it is.

Here is a link to a thread on a different site where there was discussion and links to some studies

http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?t=15124&highlight=

here's a study from last summer about suspected structural changes in the brain resulting from long term intermittent hypoxia

http://news.health.com/2008/06/11/sleep-apnea-damage-brain-memory/

OP, I took provigil (alertec in Canada) for about 8 or 9 months for my problem. To summarize quickly here, I was terminated at work and the best example of the type of memory problem I was having is the following story. I ran into a co-worker, who I had worked with for a year, 2 months after my termination. It wasn't just that I couldn't recall his name, about an hour later I began to think "is it Blaine?", I didn't get that immediate click when that name came to mind. 3 days later when I woke up I finally knew his name was Blaine. I began taking the provigil shortly after that and noticed memory improvement withing days. Eventually I got to a point where some obscure old actor would appear on screen and I could remember the name (Russ Tamblyn for example).

I no longer take provigil, but on a short term basis it got me out of that very severe memory/concentration problem phase. I am not recommending it, just telling you how it worked for me.

The single most frustrating thing for me about sleep apnea is the memmory loss and impairment of cognitive function. I feel sometimes like my intellect is degrading... like I have some insight into what it means to be senile. I know the knowledge is there - but I can't recall it when I want it/need it.

The big question in my mind is...are the memories still there? Will I possibly recover them at some point in the future if I'm well-rested or taking some medication that helps with memory? Or are they lost?
Theres big chunks of my life that have become very hazy for me, and I hate it.

One quick thought need2sleep - I lost a long term job (13 years) shortly after my diagnosis with sleep apnea, because of things like falling asleep at my desk. Now, I know that there were other things that factored into it, but it was 80% related to apnea and other disabilities I have. When they terminated me, I was so tired, and so discouraged, I just didn't want to fight anymore. Do not make the mistake I did.
Firing you under these circumstances, when your "poor performace" is directly tied to a disability for which you are seeking treatment, before giving that treatment adequate time to correct the problem is wrong and illegal. Do you have a union?
If not, consider an attorney. Unless you hate your job. Be aware of the difficulty of finding employment in the current job market, and know your rights.

another one

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18714782?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=2&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed

Thanks all. You gave me much to think about. When I got my cpap, I thought all my problems would be solved. I see now that I was expecting too much too soon. You all gave me a much better idea of what to expect.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and tell you my story in hopes that it might be the same thing you are experiencing. I had severe memory and cognititive problems. I felt like I had about 30% mental capacity. I have been seeing EIGHT doctors for the past 10 months and have MISSERABLE. The ONLY thing they could come up with was sleep apena and hence I started the CPAP. LOVE my CPAP and I feel much more rested; however like you the cognitive problems persist along with severe headaches, joint pain, the list goes on and on. TWO days ago my doctor took me off of Nexium. I FEEL GREAT ... my mind function seems to be returning ... google Nexium side effects. If you are on Nexium STOP TAKING IT TODAY. Otherwise, you might want to check the side effects of any and all medications you are taking. I was blindsided by thinking that I was taking the NEXIUM to help me stay well while all along it was my WHOLE problem. Again, I don't know if your issues are the same as mine, but I just offered them in case they were. Good luck.

I'll go out on a limb here, too....I found years ago when I was suffering those same symptoms (before SA) that Aspertame (diet stuff) and Monosodium glutomate (MSG) caused me to have those problems. Google MSG and see what you find. www.truthinlabeling.com website is the best and has suggestions how to tell if that's your problems. Good luck!

Let them fire you , so you can draw unemployment, if you quit you won't be able to ,,,, Best of luck,

I am on a blood pressure medication only. I was having cognitive difficulties before treatment. I noticed some immediate improvement in analytical ability and judgement when I began bi-pap (thank God), but my memory improvment is slower. I have had treatment for almost 7 months and I still forget names and, occasionally, appropriate words; however, my memory of events is now very clear and I'm hoping for continued improvement.

I also had problems at work before treatment. I had difficulty keeping up with my workload and I actually fell asleep at my desk while writing casenotes. I began to look unkepmt because I felt too tired to care and I also fell asleep while driving, which became a vocational issue because I was sometimes asked to drive clients in the course of my work. I am very lucky to have had a supervisor who was also a friend and mentor and she understood that that changes in my work performance were related to a medical condition. I would not have been able to keep my job without her help, even though I have been working at the same agency for 19 years. I agree with Longwinded and I think you should fight for your job if you feel it is worth keeping. Workers should not be penalized for illnesses.

About 1 month after I began treatment, I was promoted to a job where more analytical thinking is needed. I feel up to it, and I'm told that I'm doing well. Hang in there. It takes time, but it is possible to recover for the mental effects of the sleep apnea.

Does anyone know if Ginko or Ginsing will do any good?

Wo! Can I relate or what! I did my first sleep study one week ago and go for a cpap study in a few days. I've got it all and have been in an 8 year battle w post hyst hormone issues, hypothyroid, depression, fibromyalgia, back and leg pain, sleepy during the day, loud snoring,and the cognitive stuff is a killer! I felt ashamed like I was falling apart, bc I'd forget to turn at my exit, or get lost and wonder where I was on the road, feel super spacey, short term memory is really fogged. No energy..I've been to so many Dr's thruout the years, take estrogen, antidepressants like Effexor and Lamictal, Trazodone to sleep and it helps w the pain some, cytomel for thyroid, it's unbelievable that hearing some of the posts, are exactly what I have, also 2 months age type 2 diabetes. I went on Drteitlebaum.com and found out that high insulin levels and all the other symptoms I have can directly be related to apnea.
They think I have hypopnea and my expectations are that this has to help some of my "conditions". I recently started on Medifast to lose 40 pounds too.
Just wondering how many of you w apnea are obese or have weight issues and which came first, the chicken or the egg.
I'm looking to find people who have had good experiences and those who have solutions to overcoming the challenges that apnea brings us.
Thanks for listening and I hope to meet many of you on this support group site!
kmt1957@verizon.net

if your having meomory loss then ur o2 is down..have it checked with the over night pulse and o2 tester...i have memory loss and moter skills also..my o2 was 62% now 80././ or higer..

I understand the memory loss. I would sit there at work and have no idea what I was doing. I could hardly finsish a sentence. Thought I was going nuts!

I faked my way thru it pretty well so I didn't get into too much trouble at work thank goodness. I actually admited it to them rather than them noticing. One Supervisor did ask nicely if I was hungover once. They were sympathetic and gave me time off when needed.

I'm doing much better now but I'm not sure my brain ever totally recovered. Hopefully the CPAP helps or like James said, you might need oxygen with it. Good Luck!