Desperate, Sleep Issues

Hello, I’ve been driving for a couple years and right now I’m doing 800ish mile layover runs where I go home afterwards. The run is through Arizona’s I40 mostly, and I end up sleeping in the early afternoon in Winslow, Flagstaff, etc. areas. Basically very hot and low humidity, idling with AC

Relatively recently, the last two weeks or so, the air quality in my sleeper (and only my sleeper, driving is fine all night and day) is unbearable. I’m not sure how to explain it but it makes breathing slightly painful (imagine taking a deep breath in extremely cold weather as your sinuses feel it), my throat and nose get very dry to the point of further irritation while breathing, nose often gets stuffy and I cannot sleep. I’ve been basically suffering the entirety of my sleeper birth time lately.

I’ve tried a lot of things. A small humidifer, which might be too small to rule out what I assumed was dry air, but it doesn’t help at all. I replaced the sleeper blower filter, the unit under the bunk. Washed all sheets etc. Dusted. Tried propping windows open, helps barely but the heat becomes unbearable

I don’t smell anything that would be indicative of an exhaust leak. I drive an 2019 International LT or something like that. Sorry this post is all over the place I’m half asleep, been basically sleeping 1 hour at most whenever in the truck, luckily I go right home when my 10 is up and can sleep normally. This really sucks, no help from company a d I wouldn’t know what to tell maintenance to look for if it were a truck issue

Is this possibly just an effect of summer heat and low humidity? It’s not allergies or sleep apnea for sure

I’m sure you’ve checked your exhaust while pre- and post-tripping your truck, but go ahead and buy a carbon monoxide alarm anyway; Walmart sells them, they’re not that expensive, and it’s one less thing to worry about. Carbon monoxide is odorless; you won’t know it’s there until you begin to display the symptoms. And double-check the exhaust pipe.

I’ll occasionally wake up feeling a little congested, and think “dang, I’m coming down with something.” As soon as I get up, move around, begin my day, I don’t even notice but I’m totally cleared up. But it was never so bad that it affected my sleep the way it has yours. Except that one time when I discovered a crack under my exhaust pipe.

I wish I had something more to offer; just guesses. It probably is related to the dry air, and possibly the heat. It seems like it’s been hotter the past several weeks than it has been all summer.

I'm thinking it's possibly valley fever.

Low humidity is my bet, but definitely get a carbon monoxide detector. Going to need to get a larger humidifier to lubricate your head.

Is your mouth dry? If so you are probably snoring and sleeping with your mouth open. I get so dry it wakes me up Every couple of hours, and the Cpap machine makes it worse.

Are you drinking enough? You may be getting dehydrated.

There are nasal sprays that claim to moisturize your sinuses. I'm not talking about the ones with medicine in them. There are ones that are just saline. I've never used them but they may help if used before sleeping. I hope you find something that helps.

You might need to go see an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor about your problem. Lack of sleep is an extremely serious issue as all of us know. Does your company have a safety department? Talking to Safety might get you some help to figure this problem out. Good luck and drive safe, but don't drive tired and fatigued.