I'm Tired - RANT

[LyricZ]

I don't have the words to express how sleepy I am. Even if I did, I don't have anyone to tell, so I'll unload on you guys.

I slept all day today. I got up to eat and tried to stay up. I made it for half an hour, then it was back to sleepy unconsciousness. I'm going mad, because no matter how much I sleep, I'm completely drained when I try to stay awake.

I was just diagnosed with apnea last Monday, Aug. 20th and had my second sleep study on the 21st. Nothing is going to happen to help me until 2 weeks from that date. I literally feel like I'm not going to survive. Being this sleepy actually makes me feel like I'm going to vomit and fall flat on my face.

How do I get through this waiting period? This is just awful. I've spent my few waking hours on the net reading the message boards and gathering information on apnea and narcolepsy. I'll just be so glad when this waiting is over and I can get some real help.

Besides my little poodle doesn't get walked much. She just sleeps right along with me. I feel so sorry for her. I'll walk her tomorrow during one of my semi-awake periods.

Thanks for listening. It's back to bed for me

[Julie]

For heaven's sake give your dog (temp.) to someone - she has to 'go'! It can seriously hurt her kidneys not to if she feels she has to hold it forever!

[Pad A Cheek]

Hey LyricZ.
Yes I can feel your frustration needing the sleep that you cannot seem to get. Hang in there, I know the 2 weeks may seem like an eternity.

This lack of sleep does not make an easy life. When you get your machine, be sure to ask about one that records more than just compliance data. You will want to know how you are doing with an record you can talk to the sleep doctor about.

Good luck, and I wish you better sleep.
Karen

[andyomega]

i feel bad for ya, I know you can make it.
I hope your life is changed so much for the better when you do get your machine.
I cannot understand how so many humans can be defective like this ? myself included... was God sleeping?
Please take care of your little poodle, poodles are best lil doggies on earth.
I have one too

[amos]

One of the worst times was the 18 days between titration and getting my cpap. I don't understand why doctors don not realize how horrible we feel. Here are a few small hints that may help.

- Try not to sleep during the day
- Use Breathe Right Strips
- Sleep on you side.

Amos

[kteague]

While you are waiting, there are a few things that may help a little.

First, you could raise the head of your bed a few inches. Some put blocks up under the headboard. I just rolled up a blanket and placed it between the mattress and box springs.

Second, do whatever is necessary to prevent you from rolling on your back during your sleep.

Also, some on here have used the boil and bite mouthpieces sold at places like Walmart.

While none of these will cure your apnea, maybe some combination of them will minimalize your events while you are waiting.

Best wishes.

Kathy

[Babette]

WELCOME TO MY WORLD!

Hey, I didn't believe this in Week 1 of my cpap therapy, but suddenly, in Week 6, I WOKE UP PERKY AND CLEANED THE DAMNED HOUSE AND WENT NUTS!

But Weeks 1-5 were HELL!!!!!!!!!! I felt terrible, skipped work alot, slept ALOT, and was MISERABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The wild energy didn't last longer than a random day here and there, but I've never gone all the way back to sleeping all day, either. Now, I do take Sunday's OFF and do DAMNED LITTLE, but I don't sleep. I did manage to wash the sheets today, and chatted for hours online, and just took a nice little roadtrip to deliver some books to a friend. So, I'm not a COMPLETE SLACKER!

Vent away!!! I owe this board some serious SYMPATHY for all the venting I did my first six weeks. You just write me anytime. I'm here for you.

Oh, and do find a dog-sitter.

Huggers,
Barbara

[LyricZ]

Thanx, everyone. I am incredibly greatful for your responses and tips. I will try each one to try to feel better.

JULIE - My poodle is trained to go to the bathroom in a litter box in one of the bathrooms. She goes in and out all day when she needs to. So she's not uncomfortable or in danger of illness because she holds it all day. I take her out for exercise. I just skipped yesterday, because I felt so horrible.

Thanks again, everyone for being there for me!

[TXKajun]

LyricZ, we've all pretty much been where you are. Sorry to hear of yet another person who's suffering so badly.

A couple of other ideas....

#1. Call and bug your Dr. daily...in a nice way, if you can. See if you can get the reading/prescribing done ASAP. Let them know how you feel, how high your blood pressure is, how bad you feel, how your life is spiralling downward, how bad you feel...etc.
#2. You might even try sleeping in a recliner. That'll help relieve a little bit the apneas.

Otherwise, do what has been suggested above.

Also, like Babette said, some folks don't get instant relief. Some do, some don't...YMMV. But realize that you've made a HUGE step forward in feeling better and be very happy about that!

Best of luck.

Kajun

[sharon1965]

lyricz

i hear ya...i'm sorry you're struggling so much...i used to sleep all day, too, and then wonder why i never felt rested no matter how many hours i slept...till i was diagnosed and realized that the more hours i slept, the more events i was having...seems obvious now, but before i knew what was happening to me it frustrated the hell out of me

hang in there, you'll be on the road to recovery soon
best,
sharon

[AdmiralCougar]

I too believe the worst days were waiting for the machine. I didn't have as long to wait my sleep study was split and I have such severe OSA that they wanted me on the machine before it was finished being read. But that week was miserable. To scared to fall asleep. Continuous dreams of suffocating or drowning. I can't remember where I read it but you might try sleeping on your stomach if you can it did seem to help me I was more half side half stomach but still. Do be prepared to drool allot... I know I did.

Do hold in there, and vent all you need we will listen and support you while you wait.

Christy

[LyricZ]

Thanks, guys. You have no idea (well, you probably do) how much your encouragement and support are helping me.

I, once again, just woke up. It's now 3:45 p.m., and I'm awaking from a nap that started at 11:00 this morning. Still miserable. I'm going to sit in my easy chair until at least 8:00 tonight instead of going back to bed. The world is a lovely place, and I'd like to see a little of it tonight via TV.

I just got off the phone with my sleep doc's secretary. I left a message about how horrible I feel and asked whether anything can be done for me right away. The doc is suposed to call me later. I'm praying that she will.

BTW, I walked my little teacup poodle (Lexi) this morning before I went back to bed. So she's a little happier today.

[amandalee]

Yeah, isn't it great how they finally give you a diagnosis for why you feel so crappy and tired all the time, then make you wait who knows how long to get a machine?
If someone was diagnosed with diabetes, I doubt the doctor would say "Come back in 18 days to get your insulin and blood glucose monitor" (or whatever).
I second what others have said about calling your sleep lab/doctor every day and politely bugging them until you get your machine.
I know how much it sucks to have to wait. I hope you get your machine and start feeling better really soon.

[geoDoug]

I'm going to sit in my easy chair until at least 8:00 tonight instead of going back to bed. The world is a lovely place, and I'd like to see a little of it tonight via TV.

I just got off the phone with my sleep doc's secretary. I left a message about how horrible I feel and asked whether anything can be done for me right away. The doc is suposed to call me later. I'm praying that she will.

As far as encouragement goes, i can't add anything but echoing it. Regarding advice, the best suggestion I can give is to try as hard as possible to do this:

*When you get up in the morning, first thing get some form of exercise. Do some gardening or housework. Basically you're just telling your body, "It's time to get up now!"
*Don't beat yourself up over taking a nap in the in the afternoon.
*Try as hard as you can to stay on the same sleep schedule. Go to bed in the evening at the same time and get up at the same time EVERY NIGHT. Even if that means sleeping 10 or 12 hours.

All of these are geared toward supporting your body's natural circadium rhythm, which peaks in the middle of the day and is on the downslope starting in the afternoon. So, as hard as it may be, you're helping things if you can just get movitvated to stay up for a few hours in the morning and then take that afternoon nap.

Doug.

[dieselgal]

Have you even received the results of your sleep study? I mean did they tell you that you absolutely have sleep apnea and what your numbers are?
You will survive till you get the machine because you have survived up till now but it just seems like forever.