can this be sleep apnea?

[Janos]

A friend of mine has had insomnia for many years -- can't fall asleep, can't go back to sleep if woken, so always tired. Her GP wants her to be tested for sleep apnea. Does this make sense? I thought the symptoms of sleep apnea were the opposite (constant feeling of tiredness causing people to fall asleep at all times). She also snores, but only when sleeping on her right side. Does this mean anything?

Thanks for your help!

[Goofproof]

It may not be Sleep Apnea, that doesn't mean that she doesn't need a sleep test to see what's gping on. It might help her get some treatment that will make her life better. Jim

[kaiasgram]

It does make sense. Insomnia is sometimes the presenting symptom for women -- I caught this TV spot a while back, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY-8SYPByck, you'll hear the sleep doctor mention that insomnia is sometimes the initial complaint. It's about 4:17 into the clip. So that, plus the tiredness, plus the snoring, might be worth at least some kind of screening for SA.

[Janos]

Is there any possible significance to the fact that she snores only when sleeping on her right side and not otherwise?

[kaiasgram]

Is there any possible significance to the fact that she snores only when sleeping on her right side and not otherwise?

I don't know, others might have a guess. She might have more airway problems on her right side because of anatomical features -- we are not symmetrical creatures for the most part. I've read here that aerophagia tends to be worse when people sleep on their backs, but I have more trouble with it on my side. No idea why.

[Mary Z]

It may be sleep apnea. She should have the test.

[MelindaJoan]

Hi, Janos. If she's having trouble sleeping, a sleep test is a good starting point to determine the reason.

I didn't snore, didn't feel tired, didn't fall asleep at odd times either. I suggest you research the complete list of sleep apnea symptoms and see if any of those fit. I've complained of difficulty falling asleep for years and was getting very frustrated with my inability to fall back asleep once awakened. Long story short, I have severe sleep apnea and once I read the fine print on the list of symptoms, there I was...night sweats (blamed them on my age, but 10 years worth???), memory issues, concentration, distractibility, and so on.

I am also suspected of having some type of movement disorder (TBD) during my sleep and that can also cause the inability to fall/stay asleep problems. You won't know unless you get tested. I've been on my machine now since 7/5 and am beginning to see a difference in my energy level. No, I wasn't tired, just no energy. Good luck.

[chunkyfrog]

Every one is different, but it is possible.
The sleep test should help figure out the causes of her symptoms.
There are excellent videos online to give her an idea what to expect.
Here is one--of many:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHonyCHsZLc

[ChicagoGranny]

A friend of mine has had insomnia for many years Her GP wants her to be tested for sleep apnea. Does this make sense?

Now here I go again, disagreeing with members who have more experience in the forum than me!

Based on what you said so far she should not have a sleep study!

But she should have an in-office discussion with a sleep doctor who will evaluate the need for a sleep study.

She should not be resigned to having insomnia. Take that next step and have a consultation with a sleep doc!

[Janos]

Thanks for your feedback everyone. Actually, I think she's pretty much decided to have the sleep study. I asked that question mostly because of my own initial scepticism since I myself do have sleep apnea but very different symptoms. But what she's really curious about is the one-sided snoring. Does anyone have any info about what might cause that or what it might indicate? Thanks again!

[themonk]

Chronic insomnia and anxiety were my only symptoms so I would suggest your friend go just to be safe. Apnea had already been ruled out by my primary doc so I really went to a sleep lab to learn more about CBT for insomnia. I didn't snore, had a 13.5" neck, 6', 180 lbs, in my 30's, no high blood pressure, etc. While there, the doc (also a leading sleep researcher) told me that VERY few people actually have insomnia and the overwhelming majority have either sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome or a combo of the two. In fact, he said they have a difficult time finding people for their research studies on insomnia because 95% are ruled out because of apnea or RLS. I have no way of knowing if this is true, but he seems like an honest person and is a leader in sleep research.

So, yeah...worth a trip to the sleep doc for a consult and then likely a study. Sleep studies suck but at least your friend will know and can move forward accordingly.

[Pugsy]

But what she's really curious about is the one-sided snoring. Does anyone have any info about what might cause that or what it might indicate?

I haven't seen any specific information about what you are wondering about. You can research the mechanics of snoring and how they relate to sleep position. Off hand I would say that for some reason whatever is causing the snoring (remember that not all snores equal sleep apnea but there is a relatively high probability that it does) seems to be highly positional. Most commonly snoring is worse when sleeping supine but that doesn't mean that someone couldn't have worse snoring in another sleep position. When related to sleep apnea the snores are an indication of at least a partial airway collapse.
As you research sleep apnea you will find that there are no absolutes about anything. My sister snores something fierce and doesn't have sleep apnea and her husband barely snores sometimes and he does have sleep apnea.

[ChicagoGranny]

While there, the doc (also a leading sleep researcher) told me that VERY few people actually have insomnia and the overwhelming majority have either sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome or a combo of the two. In fact, he said they have a difficult time finding people for their research studies on insomnia because 95% are ruled out because of apnea or RLS. I have no way of knowing if this is true, but he seems like an honest person and is a leader in sleep research.

That is very interesting and thank you for posting it. Some time ago I saw Dr. Steven Park write that 90% of insomnia cases were caused by sleep-disordered breathing. I had some doubts about it at the time but the more I read and the more I talk to people I am beginning to think this is near the truth.

I am seeing many FB friends complaining about not being able to sleep. If I had some link to a study and statistics about breathing and insomnia I would be more bold in approaching these people and urging them to consult with a sleep doctor. Any suggestions short of unsubscribing from these chronic insomnia FB friends?

[kteague]

I am also suspected of having some type of movement disorder (TBD) during my sleep and that can also cause the inability to fall/stay asleep problems.

Don't want to hijack this thread, just want to say that movement disorders of sleep can be as disruptive to sleep as sleep apnea and can cause similar daytime symptoms. (However they don't have the added threats that come with low oxygen amd stress hormones like sleep apnea.) I am not familiar with TBD as a sleep disorder. I'm more familiar with RLS and PLMD. Also, when I was younger and before the sleep issues wore me down, I didn't have the classic daytime sleep apnea symptoms other than I enjoyed a good nap - the obvious ones came later. Insomnia was my first identifiable sign.

[LSAT]

Sleep studies are not only to check for OSA....they also check for.. causes of insomnia, narcolepsy and other
sleep issues.
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-studies