I need help

[RobertinTX]

As most know I've been on CPAP for about 16 years with great results. I had a sleep study done last year which indicated I was doing just fine.
I'm 68, retired and live alone out in the country. I work around my 20 acres and cut brush etc as well as keeping the grass mowed and everything
fixed.
Lately, over the past week, I've been tired all the time. I sleep good, don't get up or wake up a lot at night, but after being up in the morning
about 2 hours I'm tired and sleepy and ready to go back to bed. On Sat. I slept nearly all day and was still able to go to sleep at night and sleep
all night.
I'm just trying to figure out was wrong with me lately. Is it just getting old or something else ?
Has anyone else felt this way and if so how did you get over it ?
I'm not lazy, I usually work at doing something every day, so what could be the matter ?
I'm not diabetic so that can't be it, so any help or suggestions will be appreciated..
Thanks,
Robert

[palerider]

hopefully you have a machine that records data (your profile doesn't say)

first step would be to check to make sure that the machine is still keeping your apnea at bay by reviewing the data.

[Julie]

The first step should be to see your MD asap. You are the age you are, regardless of how well Cpap might work, and you do a lot of manual labour. Many things could be happening, some serious - not all cardiac or serious events are instantaneous and dramatic, but can take place quietly, leaving you in fairly dire straits internally, and then act without warning within a short time. Please get checked out and don't try to guess at things on your own or with a bunch of internet strangers.

[kaiasgram]

Hi Robert,

You said that the excessive tiredness has just been in the last week or so. Changes related to normal aging are generally more gradual and even then don't normally render a person as sleepy during the day as you're describing.

I'd start with two basic questions in your situation: First, is something going on with your CPAP treatment (is your machine working properly and is it effectively controlling your apnea, could your mask/hose have sprung a leak, etc.)? Second and equally important, when was your last physical checkup and if it was recently, what has been ruled out so far?

Have you noticed any other changes that coincide (in time) with the onset of this excessive tiredness?

[Todzo]

There are a whole bunch of things that cause us to become tired early[e.g. 1].

If I were you I think I would start a journal about this. Note when you noticed it and specifics of how it is affecting you. Also give yourself an examination – what your skin looks like, tongue, how the muscles feel that sort of thing and record the results. Check weight and BP if possible – at morning at noon and at night.

If you do not already I would rig to use my nightly CPAP data. Many here will help you if you decide to do that. It is another important thing to check.

I think I would note what I eat and drink. Dehydration and under eating came up often as I researched this subject.

Also we are just now in the north americas into the time where the UV index grows quite high. I am careful to not pink or burn. In spite of this I am suspicious that a bit of my tiredness relates to the sun exposure I do get out walking in my shorts and flip flops. I am glad for the vitamin D but the process that brings it about is one of major skin repair and that takes energy.

In general if the body is telling you that you need more rest, you should get more rest.

If it continues the notes will help when you visit the doctor.


[1]
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatigue_%28medical%29

Causes

Fatigue is a normal result of working, mental stress, overstimulation and understimulation, jet lag or active recreation, depression, and also boredom, disease and lack of sleep. It may also have chemical causes, such as poisoning or mineral or vitamin deficiencies. Chronic blood loss frequently results in fatigue, as do other conditions that cause anemia. Fatigue is different from drowsiness, where a patient feels that sleep is required. Fatigue is a normal response to physical exertion or stress, but can also be a sign of a physical disorder.

Temporary fatigue is likely to be a minor illness like the common cold as one part of the sickness behavior response that happens when the immune system fights an infection.
Chronic fatigue

Prolonged fatigue is a self-reported, persistent (constant) fatigue lasting at least one month. Chronic fatigue is a self-reported fatigue lasting at least six consecutive months. Chronic fatigue may be either persistent or relapsing.[21] Chronic fatigue is a symptom of many diseases and conditions. Some major categories of diseases that feature fatigue include:

Autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and spondyloarthropathy
Blood disorders such as anemia and hemochromatosis
Cancer, in which case it is called cancer fatigue
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)[22]
Drug abuse including alcohol abuse[22]
Depression and other mental disorders that feature depressed mood
Eating disorders, which can produce fatigue due to inadequate nutrition
Endocrine diseases like diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism
Fibromyalgia
Gulf War Syndrome
Heart disease
HIV
Inborn errors of metabolism such as Fructose malabsorption.[23][24]
Infectious diseases such as infectious mononucleosis.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Leukemia or lymphoma
Liver failure
Lyme disease
Neurological disorders such as narcolepsy, Parkinson's disease and post-concussion syndrome
Physical trauma and other pain-causing conditions, such as arthritis
Sleep deprivation or sleep disorders
Spring fever
Stroke
Uremia, which is caused by kidney disease

Fatigue may also be a side effect of certain medications, e.g. lithium salts, ciprofloxacin; beta blockers, which can induce exercise intolerance; and many cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy and radiotherapy.