please help, im scared to death!!!

[snjmom2006]

Hi everyone, I am a 40 year old woman and brand new to the site but really glad I stumbled upon it! ... I need some advice before I lose my mind!... The symptoms I am having really scared the hell out of me and I am constantly thinking I should run to the ER or I will die. It's horrible living like that.

Anyways, here is a brief rundown of my MAIN symptoms:

Severe Dizziness
Feeling off balance
Depersonalization
Extreme Tiredness
Insomnia
Irritability
Decreased Sex Drive
Facial Flushing
lack of energy
poor memory
brain fog

I suffer from panic disorder which complicates matters further. It's hard for me to find a doctor that understands panic disorders BUT also takes into consideration that not ALL my symptoms are panic related. In other words, its not all neccesarily in my head all the time.

I am overweight and I have High Blood Pressure and Type 2 Diabetes. Both of which I am on meds for. (Lisinopril-HCTZ for B.P and Glucovance for Diabetes)

I recently had sleep studies done. the first one back in the summer of 09 without a CPAP mask, and I just completed my second sleep study with the CPAP and I am awaiting results. My first initial test did show moderate to severe sleep apnea. With the most severe occurring during the REM sleep phase.

My question is given the list of symptoms above, it is more likely related to sleep apnea or does it sound like something else entirely? Perhaps Menerie's or an inner ear thing? ...

Oh, I almost forgot.. tests i have had so far were several Echocardigrams, Chest X-Rays, heart monitors, sinus xray (which does show I have frequent problems with my sinuses) and even an MRI of my brain. On top of that I have frequent blood work and urine tests. There has been nothing found that has been able to pin point my symptoms as of yet. That alone can make a person feel like they are dying. Just the not knowing part is the worst! ...

Sometimes, I get this sudden onset of dizziness where I feel like I am going to pass right out! .. it is usually followed by tiredness and a yawning spell. This happens every day at least once if not several times a day. It has been like this for quite some time to the point where I run to the ER so many times for the same thing that they sent me a letter reminding me that I cannot keep going there as much as I do because my insurance won't cover all the amount of times I go.

I hope someone can offer me some advice .. maybe these things sound familiar to you ..if so please take a moment to share your insights with me. Thank you and God Bless!

[Muse-Inc]

Welcome aboard! Great info and folks here.

I'm not a medical person, just another hosehead so take these words in the context of peer-to-peer support. Your symptoms may be related to sleep apnea; they may be related to the oxygen deprivations that typically occur during sleep apnea events. They may be related to low thyroid function. They may also be related to neurological conditions. You need to get a copy of your sleep study results and post them so people can comment and help you create course of action for resolution; there's a gold mine of valuable info in those pages that can often help explain what occurs when you sleep. Without restful sleep, health is severely compromised and that may be the source of many of the symptoms you listed. Your anxiety level sounds like it's very high right now so your daytime breathing may be affected.

This is a journey, not a simple trip of go from here to there. For some it's easy, for others a challenge. Keywords to make it easier: patience and persistence.

[BleepingBeauty]

Hi everyone, I am a 40 year old woman and brand new to the site but really glad I stumbled upon it! ... I need some advice before I lose my mind!... The symptoms I am having really scared the hell out of me and I am constantly thinking I should run to the ER or I will die. It's horrible living like that.

Anyways, here is a brief rundown of my MAIN symptoms:

Severe Dizziness
Feeling off balance
Depersonalization
Extreme Tiredness
Insomnia
Irritability
Decreased Sex Drive
Facial Flushing
lack of energy
poor memory
brain fog

Hi, snjmom, and welcome to the forum.

As to the first two symptoms noted, check out a condition called BPPV (overview: http://www.webmd.com/brain/tc/benign-pa ... c-overview and treatment: http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/liberator ... y-maneuver or search YouTube for video instructions). I experienced the same problems until I performed the Epley Maneuver on myself a couple of times.

I can't speak to the panic disorder, but there are others here who likewise suffer and can probably offer you some advice on that subject. Almost all of the other symptoms you note are common for untreated sleep apnea.

I recently had sleep studies done. the first one back in the summer of 09 without a CPAP mask, and I just completed my second sleep study with the CPAP and I am awaiting results. My first initial test did show moderate to severe sleep apnea. With the most severe occurring during the REM sleep phase.

My question is given the list of symptoms above, it is more likely related to sleep apnea or does it sound like something else entirely? Perhaps Menerie's or an inner ear thing? ...

IMO, many of the symptoms sound like they're apnea-related. Trying the Epley Maneuver now can't hurt anything, and it might just rid you of the episodes of dizziness and feeling off-balance.

I hope someone can offer me some advice .. maybe these things sound familiar to you ..if so please take a moment to share your insights with me. Thank you and God Bless!

No expert here - just another user (and former sufferer of the dizzy business). Hope I helped a little.

[robmax]

Dear snjmom2006,

Welcome. I am new here myself, but am in my eleventh year of using CPAP. Before my diagnosis of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in 1999, I had many of the symptoms which you listed. Since you have had a diagnosis, it is likely that your symptoms, like mine, may also be caused by the OSA. All those negative tests you had are a good thing, because they have virtually eliminated many other possible serious causes of your problems.

The other good news is that sleep apnea is treatable, as you've likely seen on this site, by the use of CPAP and related therapies. Your second visit to the sleep center was probably to determine what pressure is needed to keep your airway open so you can breathe properly during sleep (this process is called titration). It is reasonable to conclude for now, in light of the diagnosis and negative other tests, that many or most of your symptoms are due to the OSA. If so, the CPAP treatment will help a great deal if you take it seriously.

Until then, try to relax a bit and be pleased and relieved that help is on the way.

Good luck.

Rob

[Spirit]

Hi,
It's very difficult to diagnose health disorders over the internet. Many varying health conditions or medication side effects can cause the symtoms you've listed.

Try to relax, and await the results of your sleep study, and discuss the symptoms with your sleep doc. Also your primary doctor, can continue to test and pinpoint other symptoms you continue to experience.

Type II diabetes can cause lack of energy, but overmedicating can cause severe dizziness, off balance, irritability.
Insomnia can cause poor memory, brain fog, dp, dizziness & lack of energy, from poor sleep. And so can apnea.

But it's best to allow your doctor, to help you in discovering, the causes of your symptoms.

HCTZ can cause dizziness from too much urination. Happened to me, drank alot of water, urinated too much and passed out.

But some of your symptoms are apnea related. Your sleep study, will show the severity of your apnea's, and treatment to follow.

Hope you feel better. Good luck !

[Sleeprider]

My question is given the list of symptoms above, it is more likely related to sleep apnea or does it sound like something else entirely? Perhaps Menerie's or an inner ear thing? ...

You need to talk with your doctor, but your guess of Ménière's sounds right on. My mother in law has it, but its in remission.

[kteague]

it is scary to know something is wrong but not know what. While sleep apnea may not be responsible for all your symptoms, most of them are commonly reported on here by others with sleep apnea. One thing it might help you to know is that sleep apnea causes a repetitive onslaught of stress hormones while you sleep. Once you get adjusted to cpap treatment and familiar with wearing the mask and feeling the air, those stress hormones will be reduced. It just may be that your anxiety will improve then too. With long term fractured sleep a sort of desperation can set in as we frantically try to keep going with diminishing resources. Your diagnosis and treatment could make a major difference in your life. Do embrace it as the beginning of something good. Give it some time as there is an expected adjustment phase - just goes with the territory. Things will settle down and once you are sleeping fairly well consistently over a period of time, you can then reevaluate any residual symptoms. I'm guessing your list will be much shorter. The scary part was in not knowing. You now know you have a very treatable condition, and have a place to ask questions and receive support. 2010 is your year!
Kathy

[Dan on CPAP]

Scared to Death,

I resembled many of your symptoms and was also scared of the unknown(s) that resulted in weight increase, border line Diabetes and panic attacks that I never experienced before being diagnosed with sleep apnea. Good thing for me, I finally took my Doctors advise after five years of ignoring his prescribed sleep study. I should add that the panic attacks came after my Doctor said that I could die from all the complications associated with lack of quality sleep and oxygen deprivation. Result: sleep study was completed without hesitation and I'm now a seasoned six week, plus CPAP user and I feel great. Panic attacks gradually subsided to a distant memory, I'm not tired all the time (no need for naps), I'm working out again (losing weight) and I'm a much happier person. I hope this helps and would be happy to answer any questions you might have. I'm no expert, but I know my therapy has changed my life and increased my quality of life. Additionally, I've been blessed to have found this site and received the help/advise that has helped me through my CPAP journey ....

[Julie]

Don't assume your dizziness is due to Meniere's - there are other reasons of course that could make you dizzy whether or not you're aware of them and from the sound of it, you're more likely to have a little 02/cardiac related symptom than a neurological one, especially if you have OSA plus diabetes are (and you do sound like you probably have OSA, with or without other things).

[newhosehead]

I really want to respond to your posting. Treating your apnea is a must, but my attention is really caught by your mention of panic disorder. I have not been on this forum long and am QUITE sure I am not your best source for OSA advice (although I can tell you the symptoms I have had) but when it comes to panic disorder, I have a great deal of information, learned the hard way.

You are so right about docs and panic disorder. I can remember my own emergency room days and also remember how much I almost hated to tell a doc that I had panic disorder only to watch his or her eyes glaze over as they mentally dismissed me. Sound familiar? I I really wonder how (or if) you are being treated for panic disorder. I would be very glad to share more information with you, as this really is an area where I think I can be of help. Let me know if you would like for me to contact you.

[secret agent girl]

.

[riveredge1]

I called it the creeps--a depression that set in after a horrible bout of influenza B in april 09--i had to stay in contact with someone all the time--couldnt figure out what was happening to me and doc said go home and take some st. john wart---dahaaaaaaaaa takes a month to kick in---starting to eat better and herbal supplements slowly helped but what finally got rid of it all was discovering i wasnt breathing at night and 02 level was going down to 60% --short version--been a month on machine and no creeps or horrendous nightmares--it was so scary to not be in control--living in mountains alone at age 60--slowly getting back to independent self with out fear and my bull headedness is back--good or bad i am not sure--i know the fear--with air it gets better---

[Jaylee]

My MIL has vertigo and she describes it as being so dizzy that it feels like a magnet is pulling her to the floor.

At any rate, I would wait to see what your doctor thinks. I hope you are able to get relief soon

[tillymarigold]

I can tell you that apnea *can* cause *all* those things, if by "facial flushing" you mean rosacea. I had all of them except the dizziness.

Whether it caused any or all of them in *you*, of course, you won't know until after CPAP.

[frazzled-snoozer]

The things you're already diagnosed with could each cause all the symptoms you listed. But let's presume that all those conditions are responding to treatment I can give you some info on inner ear and vestibular conditions since my bout of labyrinthitis last year. I found the most awesome site here:

http://www.vestibular.org/

I had to have Meniere's ruled out. The tests would be an ENG and rotation tests. You should consult an ENT (Ear,nose, throat) specialist. While you're waiting to see the dr you could try a trial of super-low salt diet. If you feel a lot better then Meniere's probably is your culprit. It's usually accompanied with gradual hearing loss. BPPV could also be the problem especially if your episodes are shorter than 30 minutes at a time.

My vertigo started with 3 straight days of spinning. They ruled out BPPV immediately. Each day after that the episodes decreased in both length and occurence over the next 5 months. But the first month was almost non-stop. In fact, there's an entire week that I don't remember any of at all. Let's just say I lost a lot of weight!!!! lol If any of that sounds like you it could be labyrinthitis.

I feel for you because there's nothing like this type of dizziness. It was the worst nightmare of my life and I was so relieved when it turned out not to be Meniere's. So, I hope that's not the case for you.

If you need more support check out this great forum.

http://www.dizzytimes.com/forum.php

Good luck!