Do I have sleep apnea?

[jillgrog]

I have been thinking something is wrong with me for a while now. I used to drink major caffeine to stay awake and have suffered from migraines for years. I never really got enough sleep though so it made sense. I can tell that my migraines are directly connected to my sleep. Lately I have been getting about 8 hrs of sleep a night and still feel like I haven't had nearly enough. I am tired all the time and it is very hard to function. I have been looking on line in desperation to try to figure out what could be wrong with me. I think it could definitely be Sleep Apnea, but how can I find out? Thanks for your help. -A very tired girl

[Grabraham]

I have been thinking something is wrong with me for a while now. I used to drink major caffeine to stay awake and have suffered from migraines for years. I never really got enough sleep though so it made sense. I can tell that my migraines are directly connected to my sleep. Lately I have been getting about 8 hrs of sleep a night and still feel like I haven't had nearly enough. I am tired all the time and it is very hard to function. I have been looking on line in desperation to try to figure out what could be wrong with me. I think it could definitely be Sleep Apnea, but how can I find out? Thanks for your help. -A very tired girl

It took years of prodding and finally my wife INSISTING that I talk to my DR about it. He listened asked a few basic questions regarding tiredness headaches etc, and scheduled a sleep study. If you suspect it is a problem and to my newly aquired knowledge it sounds like you are barking up the right tree make an appointment to talk to your DR. you will thank yourself in the end

[HisServ]

I agree with the above. It may be sleep apnea, it might be something else, but you'll never know until you actually get it checked out. Do as much research as you possibly can before you go see your doctor. It's always good, IMHO, to know what you are talking about when you see someone. Good luck and keep us informed.

[ozij]

Sleep Quiz

Take this quiz, browse the site, and find a doctor to talk to.
O.

[johnnygoodman]

If you want to know what a sleep study is, how it works, etc here's a video that explains it:

cpaptalk-cpap-video-movie.php?videos=video&VGID=58

[Geocom]

Jill,

Try this for fun: Pick up a cheap voice-activated mini tape recorder and place it next to your pillow when you go to bed. You can find one for less than $20. Target, Radio Shack, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, K-Mart--they all have 'em.

When I did this, I was mortified to hear my loud snoring punctuated with my breathing stopping completely for 20-30 seconds at a time.

When I played the tape for my sleep doc, he told me that in 30 years of practice, he had never had a patient bring in a tape recording; but it provided enough evidence for him to expedite my sleep study.

While this is not a substitute for seeing your doctor, it can certainly help you gather some evidence about your condition.

As virtually everybody on this site will tell you, the rewards of seeking treatment are incalculable, and many of us ask ourselves why we didn't see a sleep specialist sooner! Break through that fog and do something today!

George

[metron9]

I brought in a DVD movie of myself, But the first time I did what you suggest, I bought a tape recorder that automatically goes on with noise, It didn't have enough tape to record all the snoring. Then I used a microphone hooked to my computer and recorded the full night, using a graphic sound program you can see the areas of most snoring and locate the apnia points.

[ozij]

When I played the tape for my sleep doc, he told me that in 30 years of practice, he had never had a patient bring in a tape recording;

Great idea... but, how many years since anyone could find one for less than $20. Target, Radio Shack, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, K-Mart--they all have 'em. ?

If only you had told us that the good doctor picked up the phone and told his assistant to got out and by a couple so he could use them as diagnostic tools for his other patients... sigh

O.