New confused person

tiredandsleepy · Post by **tiredandsleepy** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 11:04 pm

Hi, I have read a lot of info here in the past week or two. I was told about 15 yrs ago I had sleep apnea by a nose reconstruction doctor after a car wreck. He said it would not affect me much unless I gained a lot of weight or when I got older it might. Well it has caught up with me. I am a 37 yr old, 6ft, 179lbs. I wake up and feel like I never went to sleep. I have started sleeping just about the whole weekend and generally take a nap during the week days. I went to a sleep doc and he said I do have apnea. He scheduled me for a sleep test and I could not sleep much due to guy next door snoring and the techs talking in across the hall. I felt like I never went to sleep at all. They said I did sleep some. They are supposed to call me tomorrow and let me know what and when the next step will be. I told them the morning after the 1st sleep study that if I had to have another one to go ahead and schedule it so there would not be such a long wait. Can anyone give me some advice as how to proceed. Everyone that I tell I have problems being tired and tell them I have apnea says I should not have problems with it since I am so thin. Any response would be helpful and I will keep reading. Thanks Mike.

BNLfan · Post by **BNLfan** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:07 am

Hi Mike!

I'm not too sure that I will be very helpful, but wanted to respond. You mentioned that a plastic/reconstructive doc told you about the apnea, if I remember correctly. Was your reconstruction successful? Apnea can be made worse by a deviated septum and a trip back to that doc or to a ear/nose/throat doc might be of help.

Also, lab work could shed some light on the problem, especially thyroid function testing, B-12 deficiency, etc.

As for the sleep study, hopefully they will reschedule you since you didn't sleep very well during sleep study #1. I would hope they would be understanding enough to realize that is a difficult situation to sleep in and let you have another chance.

I know that others here will very likely have some helpful information. Be persistent and try to get another sleep study.

BNLfan

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 1:35 am

Hi Mike. You're in a good place. Folks here will be able to give you targeted information as you post details as available. Results of any sleep studies is a good place to start. You have an advantage in that you started studying the issues before there was a lot needing undone. You can get started off "on the good foot".

As you've found, the general public has thru lack of knowledge stereotyped sleep apnea patients. This forum has several college age thru thirtysomething members, not just the expected majority of older members. The same can be said regarding weight - though not the majority, structural abnormality in the throat and family predisposition are not dependent on size or age to be problematic.

Welcome to the forum, and best wishes in your journey.

Kathy

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 1:42 am

Prior post was me.
Kathy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:44 am

Hi Mike,

I just thought that I would offer my 2 cents and hope that somehow it will shed some light on your situation. First of all welcome to the forum. I've gotten a lot of encouragement and insight from it myself.

Sleep apnea can affect anyone. As far as size is concern, it doesn't matter if you're large or small. I am a female, 5ft/5in tall and weigh 125 pounds. I was diagnose with sleep apnea in November of 2005. The notable symptoms had started a year prior to that, so by the time I was diagnosed I was a complete mess: tire and sleepy all the time, a lot of fatigue, depression, loss of concentration, night sweats, etc. My memory had gotten so bad that I would forget things seconds later. I had no motivation to do anything; personal business went to shreds. I no longer socialized with family and friends; I had no energy.

I felt like my life was slipping away. I lost half my income because I barely made it to work (which led to a medical leave of absence). All I did was sleep. Most of the people around me knew something was wrong but didn't understand the physiology of sleep apnea so I was often told that all I needed was a good night sleep. I began to feel isolated; even from my husband.

Like yourself, one day in search for answers I stumbled upon this forum. I was at my lowest. I was surprised that people who didn't even know me cared enough to read my postings and reply with such knowledge, compassion and understanding. You are not alone Mike. I, as well as others of this forum, understand what you are going through. Be encouraged that it will all get better. Just follow through with what it's going to take to get you feeling better. Your doctor will decide on what air pressure, apparatus, etc, that you'll require. What ever health regimen you're given, trust your doctor, but most of all trust yourself. No one knows what you are experiencing better than you.

By the way I've been on CPAP for 4 months now. I feel like a brand new person. The sleepiness and tiredness is gone. I am energetic most of the time. I am feeling highly motivated to do things again other than sleep. The depression has lifted a great deal. I am not a hundred percent yet, but I've got my life back, so hang in there Mike; you'll get yours back too.

Wish you lots of luck,
balba

balba · Post by **balba** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:22 am

Hi Mike,

I sent a reply signed "balba". I joined the forum Feb 9, 2006, but for some reason I was posted as guest. Just though I should let you know.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:40 am

Mike,

Like you, I'm 6', but weigh a little less and have apnea. I didn't fit the pattern either, which I'm sure is part of the reason the so-called professionals "determined" that I didn't have apnea, at least until I did my own oximeter study which suggested otherwise. Like you, I didn't sleep well during my sleep studies either, and to top it off, my apnea only occurs in burst during REM sleep, so I guess I was just a hard case to diagnose.

Anyway, welcome to the forum. People here can often help with the problems, small or large, you'll likely encounter on this journey. Oh, and most importantly, stick with it and work through whatever issues you might have. It's worth it.

Regards,
Bill

tiredandsleepy · Post by **tiredandsleepy** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:19 pm

Well I called the Doctor's office and they told me they have my results in and that I will not need a 2nd sleep study. They said to come in thursday and they would go over the results with me. However, the secretary said I would not need CPAP. Now I am confused because on the initial visit he said I do have apnea and requested the sleep study. I am wondering if I did not sleep long enough or well enough during the 1st study for it to show up. Has anyone seen this happen before? Thanks

Missy · Post by **Missy** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:33 pm

Tired & Sleepy-Good to hear you are tackling your sleep problem. I don't want to sound like a know it all, but I didn't sleep well during my sleep test either. I finally drifted off at 3:00 AM and was awakened at 5:30 AM. There was enough information from that bit of time to diagnose me as moderate to sever OSA. I hope your Dr. visit gives you some direction in your diagnosis. Don't give up! You deserve to know what your problem is!

*Willy* · Post by ***Willy*** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:35 pm

Make sure you get a copy of the study and have the dictor go over every detail with you. Ask questions. If you know someone that has a sleep disorder and is doing well see if they can come to the appointment with you.
Good Luck.

tiredandsleepy · Post by **tiredandsleepy** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:37 pm

Missy, thanks for replying. Will my doctor show me the information from my sleep study? As for as how long I actually slept and all of that stuff. Is that the norm for them to show you that info or do they normally just say you do or don't have it. I know something is going on because my wife says I wake up all night gasping for air. And as sleepy as I stay something is not normal about that. Thanks

*Willy* · Post by ***Willy*** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:44 pm

The report is YOUR report, not the doctor's. You should maintain a complete medical history including x-rays, mri's, meds, etc. There is no difference except if you have OSA this is even more important as you will likely have it the rest of your life. You paid for the study and the doctor's time either directly, co-pay or by your insurance. IT BELONGS TO YOU!

tiredandsleepy · Post by **tiredandsleepy** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:49 pm

I will be sure and request that info when I am there on thursday. I am very anxious to see what he says about the results. Could it have been that the apnea did not show up on the study if I did not sleep much at all. Or never went into a deep sleep?

*Willy* · Post by ***Willy*** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:52 pm

Try not to think about it (other then writing down your questions) until after your visit. Let us know how it goes.

tiredandsleepy · Post by **tiredandsleepy** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 1:22 pm

I will try your approach to this Willy. I am going to try to come up with as many questions as I can for the Doc and see what happens from there. I will request my written results when I see him and then seek advice from the people here which seem to know more about all this than I do. I do have to say though that this forum is awesome. There are a lot of informative and nice people on here. Everyone seems to willing to share any info or past experience that they have had. Thanks

New confused person

New confused person

Newly diagnosed

Got Guested

balba - was bumped to GUEST status???