Please help!!!

[Loopylu1985]

Hi there, I haven't been diagnosed with anything as of yet. I have a low pulse rate and blood pressure when I am asleep,my doc said this is normal? I also wake up with a headache, snore at night, no energy and my mood is horrible during the day. I wake up feeling like I have not slept. My doctor thinks I have narcolepsy, which I don't think in the slightest. He has put me on these antidepressants which I cannot take anymore of as they were giving me horrible side effects. How do I get my doc to listen and refer me for the tests I need? I'm fed up of feeling like this!! Thanks

[jim22]

If that description didn't do it, maybe you need to switch doctors. I originally was referred to a pulmonary specialist so had me do a home sleep study. Can you just go see a specialist on your own? I hope you can make some progress and feel better.
Jim

[manoflamatzah]

I'm an internist and if what you say is accurate, I agree that narcolepsy does not make any sense - see someone who will refer you for a sleep study.

[LSAT]

Hi there, I haven't been diagnosed with anything as of yet. I have a low pulse rate and blood pressure when I am asleep,my doc said this is normal? I also wake up with a headache, snore at night, no energy and my mood is horrible during the day. I wake up feeling like I have not slept. My doctor thinks I have narcolepsy, which I don't think in the slightest. He has put me on these antidepressants which I cannot take anymore of as they were giving me horrible side effects. How do I get my doc to listen and refer me for the tests I need? I'm fed up of feeling like this!! Thanks

How low is your pulse rate and BP while you are sleeping? How are you monitoring this?

[Loopylu1985]

Thanks for your replies, I know my blood pressure and pulse is low because I had a 24 hour blood pressure/ pulse monitor on. My pulse is generally low when I rest ( between 41 and 50) I've woken up again today with headache and feeling exhausted!!

[LSAT]

I recently did 4 nights with a pulse ox to determine my O2 levels and HR while sleeping. My HR were 50, 49, 50, 52. A previous test showed me at 45. My Cardiologist felt that these numbers were no problem.

[ChicagoGranny]

Thanks for your replies, I know my blood pressure and pulse is low because I had a 24 hour blood pressure/ pulse monitor on. My pulse is generally low when I rest ( between 41 and 50) I've woken up again today with headache and feeling exhausted!!

Have a consultation with a sleep doctor. Check your insurance policy - some require a referral, some don't.

snore at night

Until you can get a medical diagnosis, avoid sleeping on your back. On your back, gravity is directly pulling on your tongue and soft palate, and if you have sleep apnea, the condition may be at its worst. Many people get some relief by sleeping on sides or stomach.

You can stack some pillows against your back to avoid rolling on your back during sleep. Or, you can try the old tennis ball in a shirt pocket trick - wear the shirt backwards. Some have also used a small backpack stuffed with some hard items.

If you can't get a recommendation for a sleep doctor, check on ones associated with accredited sleep labs - http://www.sleepeducation.org/find-a-facility

[Loopylu1985]

I live in the UK, unless I go private I have to wait for my Dr to refer me. I will try the tennis ball trick and see if that does help. I will also phone up and make another appointment with a different Dr and beg for his help. Thanks for your comments. I just want to feel human. :/