Do I have sleep apnea. Help!

[MaybeApnea]

Hello world- I have a question about sleep apnea. I know that ultimately I will need a sleep study to diagnose, but with sleep apnea, is it possible that some days you actually feel ok (maybe 1 out of 5)? Thanks for any help.

[katestyles]

My father had un-diagnosed diabetes for several years. He mostly kept himself alive by drinking. He even had a test once, which was negative.



I used a CPAP machine for 4 years, then one night I was so tired I fell asleep without putting on the machine.

The next morning, I awoke feeling more awake than I had for ages, so for 5 more years, I did not use the machine.

It is possible to feel that you sleep well with untreated sleep apnea.


My father is now suffering from the years when his diabetes was untreated.

You have every right to remain un-diagnosed, but you have no choice as to whether you have or do not have sleep apnea.

[kteague]

but with sleep apnea, is it possible that some days you actually feel ok

We sleep differently every night. For instance, if a person stayed on their side most of one night then the next time spent a lot of time on their back, if they are one whose apnea is worse when supine, it makes sense they could feel different on waking. And some people have more events when in REM. A night with more wakings resulting in less REM may have more broken sleep but fewer apneas during the sleep they got. Just a lot of variables. Good for you for seeking to become informed. There are some threads at the top of the forum you might find helpful so that you can go into any testing and/or treatment with knowledge. You'll be one step ahead. Good luck with things. Just my opinion, but living with only 1 out of 5 good days doesn't sound like a tolerable long term plan.

[Dog Slobber]

Hello world- I have a question about sleep apnea. I know that ultimately I will need a sleep study to diagnose, but with sleep apnea, is it possible that some days you actually feel ok (maybe 1 out of 5)? Thanks for any help.

yes

[D.H.]

Hello world- I have a question about sleep apnea. I know that ultimately I will need a sleep study to diagnose, but with sleep apnea, is it possible that some days you actually feel ok (maybe 1 out of 5)? Thanks for any help.

While I don't have a lot of information, my rul of thumb is that if you ask this question, the answer is "very likely."

[TropicalDiver]

...is it possible that some days you actually feel ok (maybe 1 out of 5)? Thanks for any help.

Yes. Possible explanations:
a) On those nights you feel better, you are sleeping in a "better" position more of the night;
b) Use of certain medications or alcohol changes on those nights;
c) Other than apnea things are causing sleep issues much of the time -- and those are better some nights;
d) What you think of as feeling OK, while not OK, is just better than the bad mornings. (Your baseline for what is OK might still be not good sleep)

The way to find out is to get tested.

[chunkyfrog]

Let me make it unanimous:
Get yourself tested.
Suffering when you could be treated is illogical.

[MaybeApnea]

Thanks so much for your thoughtful responses! I have been on a number of different antidepressants the last two years because I thought each one was making me drowsy. Now I believe there’s another culprit. Most days I feel completely retarded at work... can’t recall people’s names, critical thinking takes a huge effort, and just always exhausted. I hope I do have sleep apnea since I’ll have a solution. Thanks again!!

[katestyles]

Thanks so much for your thoughtful responses! I have been on a number of different antidepressants the last two years because I thought each one was making me drowsy. Now I believe there’s another culprit. Most days I feel completely retarded at work... can’t recall people’s names, critical thinking takes a huge effort, and just always exhausted. I hope I do have sleep apnea since I’ll have a solution. Thanks again!!

Get tested, and then come back here, and join what Zonker affectionately calls the "zoo".

I also blamed antidepressants for my lack of functionality. Antidepressants, sleep deprivation, ....a couple more years and I will be able to blame senility, and will never have to take responsibility.

[zonker]

Get tested, and then come back here, and join what Zonker affectionately calls the "zoo".

squint.gif

how do you know i'm saying it affectionately?

i MAY be saying it derisively!

[katestyles]

Get tested, and then come back here, and join what Zonker affectionately calls the "zoo".

squint.gif


how do you know i'm saying it affectionately?

i MAY be saying it derisively!

You know, I considered that, then decided to be nice!

[zonker]

Get tested, and then come back here, and join what Zonker affectionately calls the "zoo".

squint.gif


how do you know i'm saying it affectionately?

i MAY be saying it derisively!

You know, I considered that, then decided to be nice!

wow, that's so unusual around here!

palerider? you got your ears on, good buddy?

[katestyles]

You know, I considered that, then decided to be nice!

wow, that's so unusual around here!

palerider? you got your ears on, good buddy?

Leading by example

[palerider]

Get tested, and then come back here, and join what Zonker affectionately calls the "zoo".

squint.gif


how do you know i'm saying it affectionately?

i MAY be saying it derisively!

All *I* know is that zonker doesn't realize he's the star exhibit.