I have been living with long COVID since 2021. My main symptoms have been persistent fatigue, brain fog, palpitations, and signs of dysautonomia. These symptoms have significantly affected my daily functioning, especially cognitive clarity and physical energy.
At the end of last year, I underwent a sleep apnea test and was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea. I started using a CPAP machine, but the adaptation process was extremely difficult. In my case, the CPAP initially seemed to worsen the dysautonomia, probably because higher pressures triggered a sympathetic response and increased internal tension and discomfort.
Despite this, I decided to persist because it seemed like an important possibility for improvement. Over time, I experimented carefully with the settings and eventually found a pressure that works for me: the lowest pressure that still helps control the apnea without excessively activating the sympathetic nervous system.
Before reaching this balance, my oxygen saturation frequently dropped below 80% during the night, even while using CPAP. My impression is that this was not caused only by apnea itself, but also by some form of autonomic dysregulation. Now, however, I have managed to stabilize my oxygen saturation around 92–94% throughout the night, and the benefits have been very noticeable.
My concentration and energy levels have improved significantly. I am now in the third month of consistent CPAP use, and I feel hopeful that this might be a key piece in my recovery process.
I decided to share this experience mainly to encourage others with long COVID to consider getting tested for sleep apnea, and, if nighttime oxygen drops are present, to consider trying CPAP therapy. In my case, even though the adaptation was difficult, finding the right settings made a meaningful difference.