bethsheba
02-23-2008, 01:31 PM
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that occurs when a person stops breathing (apnea) OR breathes shallowly (hypopnea)at least 10 times in an hour. It’s a very common condition but it often goes undiagnosed because the person is sleeping when the apneas and/or hypopneas occur (and therefore, doesn’t know that this is happening), and because physicians don’t screen adequately, if at all.
About 1/2 of the patients who have essential hypertension have obstructive sleep apnea.
About 1/2 of the patients who have OSA, have hypertension.
Despite having clear symptoms of OSA, 80-90 percent of the cases remain undiagnosed by physicians. But when physicians routinely screen for OSA, the number of cases increases by 8 times.
Apnea may trigger other conditions and as a result the following may be present:
allergies
asthma
acid reflux
anxiety
cardiovascular disease
depression
nocturia (getting up to urinate at night)
obesity
hypertension
In my humble opionion, anyone with the above conditions should screen themselves for apnea...it's just tooooo important to overlook.
Symptoms of OSA
gradual gain in weight (when you don't sleep well, you don't eat
right or exercise)
being overweight (excess tissue whether it be fat or other tissue
can block the airways)
thick throat
receding chin
nasal polyps
large tonsils, adenoids
yawning
mood changes (depression, anxiety, short temper, etc)
blood pressure that doesn't dip at least 10 points at night (a non
dipper)
blood pressure that is difficult to control with medication
fatigue
snoring
waking up during the night with a choking sensation
waking up gasping for air and perspiring during the night
waking up with a panic attack at night
waking up with a headache
waking up with a dry mouth
Some people only have one symptom...and it may not be noticable!
What do you do if you suspect you may have a sleep disorder? You can take self tests...one of the most common is the Epworth Sleep Scale that is on the government's Medline Plus Website under Sleep Disorders...
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sleepdisorders.html
If you scroll half way down the page, you will see on the left side of the page "Health Check Tools" and under that is a "Sleepiness Scale". This is one (of many) little self tests that one can take to see if you should see a sleep specialist. You can also do a sleep log or a sleep diary to record your sleep patterns, and quality of life issues that may be related to sleep. These logs are easy to find but if you'd like me to design one, I could do that, too.
My favorite "self test" is "Do you yawn alot?" Although I never got/get sleepy, I always yawned alot...I think it was about the only visable symptom I had...but my point is, you don't have to have obvious symptoms to have apnea.
Good luck with your "research"! I'll try to post more about the correlation of sleep problems and acid reflux, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension.
Bethsheba
About 1/2 of the patients who have essential hypertension have obstructive sleep apnea.
About 1/2 of the patients who have OSA, have hypertension.
Despite having clear symptoms of OSA, 80-90 percent of the cases remain undiagnosed by physicians. But when physicians routinely screen for OSA, the number of cases increases by 8 times.
Apnea may trigger other conditions and as a result the following may be present:
allergies
asthma
acid reflux
anxiety
cardiovascular disease
depression
nocturia (getting up to urinate at night)
obesity
hypertension
In my humble opionion, anyone with the above conditions should screen themselves for apnea...it's just tooooo important to overlook.
Symptoms of OSA
gradual gain in weight (when you don't sleep well, you don't eat
right or exercise)
being overweight (excess tissue whether it be fat or other tissue
can block the airways)
thick throat
receding chin
nasal polyps
large tonsils, adenoids
yawning
mood changes (depression, anxiety, short temper, etc)
blood pressure that doesn't dip at least 10 points at night (a non
dipper)
blood pressure that is difficult to control with medication
fatigue
snoring
waking up during the night with a choking sensation
waking up gasping for air and perspiring during the night
waking up with a panic attack at night
waking up with a headache
waking up with a dry mouth
Some people only have one symptom...and it may not be noticable!
What do you do if you suspect you may have a sleep disorder? You can take self tests...one of the most common is the Epworth Sleep Scale that is on the government's Medline Plus Website under Sleep Disorders...
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sleepdisorders.html
If you scroll half way down the page, you will see on the left side of the page "Health Check Tools" and under that is a "Sleepiness Scale". This is one (of many) little self tests that one can take to see if you should see a sleep specialist. You can also do a sleep log or a sleep diary to record your sleep patterns, and quality of life issues that may be related to sleep. These logs are easy to find but if you'd like me to design one, I could do that, too.
My favorite "self test" is "Do you yawn alot?" Although I never got/get sleepy, I always yawned alot...I think it was about the only visable symptom I had...but my point is, you don't have to have obvious symptoms to have apnea.
Good luck with your "research"! I'll try to post more about the correlation of sleep problems and acid reflux, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension.
Bethsheba
Sponsor
marantz1935
02-23-2008, 03:47 PM
Hi Beth, and thanks for your post on SA.
I was visiting another site while researching hypertension and came across sleep apnea. I identified immediately with some of the symptoms listed. They were: waking up with a headache, waking up during the night with a choking sensation, waking up gasping for air and perspiring during the night. While the aforementioned has happened only occasionally - they have still happened. If I mention this discovery to my GP, he'll just dismiss it as usual (sigh!).
Marantz,
I was visiting another site while researching hypertension and came across sleep apnea. I identified immediately with some of the symptoms listed. They were: waking up with a headache, waking up during the night with a choking sensation, waking up gasping for air and perspiring during the night. While the aforementioned has happened only occasionally - they have still happened. If I mention this discovery to my GP, he'll just dismiss it as usual (sigh!).
Marantz,
bethsheba
02-23-2008, 06:33 PM
Hi Beth, and thanks for your post on SA.
You're welcome! Thank you for reading it, :). Wish more people would do so considering about 1/2 of us with hypertension have it.
... I identified immediately with some of the symptoms listed. They were: waking up with a headache, waking up during the night with a choking sensation, waking up gasping for air and perspiring during the night. While the aforementioned has happened only occasionally - they have still happened. If I mention this discovery to my GP, he'll just dismiss it as usual (sigh!).Marantz,
Marantz, I am so very glad that you mentioned this for several reasons...first of all, these are CLASSIC signs...classic...so I will add them to the list along with anxiety and panic as these symptoms often accompany the ones you describe (I didn't experience any of these symptoms so I forgot to put them on the list, sorrrry!).
Second, these things don't happen all the time....and often when they do happen, we just don't notice (or if they happen at night we don't remember them when we wake up). The fact that you've experienced these symptoms ONCE is a sign that it needs to be investigated.
Thirdly, although apnea is relatively easy to treat (treatment can be 100 percent effective and med free), untreated apnea can be deadly for some...so you need to find a doctor who is better versed (or at least willing to listen) than your present doctor! And I would recommend doing so right away (it can take several months to get in to see a specialist.)
My sleep specialist told me that most of his referrals come from heart specialists (I was the exception, ;)) ..if it were me, and I had problems getting a referral I would:
1. Put together info with a sleep log/diary, self tests, and other reasons why I thought I had a sleep problem. I would presesnt this to my primary doctor, who should then give a referral.
2. If my primary wouldn't give me a referral, I would call my insurance company and ask for the names and contact info for the sleep specialists in my area. I would then call the offices of those sleep specialists and tell them that I was having a problem getting a referral from my doctor and ask them what they would recommend...or I would ask for the names of the primary (or other)doctors that gave them referrals and get an appointment to see one of them for the purpose of getting a referral.
Thank goodness, I didn't have to fight that battle...but I did switch sleep specialists before I had my sleep study done...I may have made a mistake there, but that's another story.
Good luck, Marantz...do let us know how you fare.
Bethsheba
You're welcome! Thank you for reading it, :). Wish more people would do so considering about 1/2 of us with hypertension have it.
... I identified immediately with some of the symptoms listed. They were: waking up with a headache, waking up during the night with a choking sensation, waking up gasping for air and perspiring during the night. While the aforementioned has happened only occasionally - they have still happened. If I mention this discovery to my GP, he'll just dismiss it as usual (sigh!).Marantz,
Marantz, I am so very glad that you mentioned this for several reasons...first of all, these are CLASSIC signs...classic...so I will add them to the list along with anxiety and panic as these symptoms often accompany the ones you describe (I didn't experience any of these symptoms so I forgot to put them on the list, sorrrry!).
Second, these things don't happen all the time....and often when they do happen, we just don't notice (or if they happen at night we don't remember them when we wake up). The fact that you've experienced these symptoms ONCE is a sign that it needs to be investigated.
Thirdly, although apnea is relatively easy to treat (treatment can be 100 percent effective and med free), untreated apnea can be deadly for some...so you need to find a doctor who is better versed (or at least willing to listen) than your present doctor! And I would recommend doing so right away (it can take several months to get in to see a specialist.)
My sleep specialist told me that most of his referrals come from heart specialists (I was the exception, ;)) ..if it were me, and I had problems getting a referral I would:
1. Put together info with a sleep log/diary, self tests, and other reasons why I thought I had a sleep problem. I would presesnt this to my primary doctor, who should then give a referral.
2. If my primary wouldn't give me a referral, I would call my insurance company and ask for the names and contact info for the sleep specialists in my area. I would then call the offices of those sleep specialists and tell them that I was having a problem getting a referral from my doctor and ask them what they would recommend...or I would ask for the names of the primary (or other)doctors that gave them referrals and get an appointment to see one of them for the purpose of getting a referral.
Thank goodness, I didn't have to fight that battle...but I did switch sleep specialists before I had my sleep study done...I may have made a mistake there, but that's another story.
Good luck, Marantz...do let us know how you fare.
Bethsheba
Vanessa74
02-23-2008, 08:16 PM
Thanks Beth,
Great information that I will be discussing with my Dr. (he is a BIG believer in sleep apnea so it should not be a fight :) - I too have many of these symptoms which I have noticed over the past few months do seem MUCH worse at night.
Thanks so much!!!
Vanessa
Great information that I will be discussing with my Dr. (he is a BIG believer in sleep apnea so it should not be a fight :) - I too have many of these symptoms which I have noticed over the past few months do seem MUCH worse at night.
Thanks so much!!!
Vanessa
flowergirl2day
02-24-2008, 12:22 AM
Beth,
Thanks for taking the time to post this information and your suggestions. I plan on taking at least one self-test in the next few days.
P.S. I am one of the people who have never been screened for this condition. I wonder why? :(
FG
Thanks for taking the time to post this information and your suggestions. I plan on taking at least one self-test in the next few days.
P.S. I am one of the people who have never been screened for this condition. I wonder why? :(
FG
marantz1935
02-24-2008, 05:06 AM
Thanks again Beth
I'll mention the sleep apnea to my GP the next time I visit him. I can see his eyes rolling up to heaven now. He's actually a good doctor (has a string of letters after his name), but for some reason, if nothing is found in obvious/standard tests, then that's it as far as he is concerned. He doesn't have much time I think for his patients searching the internet to self-diagnose themselves. I mentioned the word 'malaise' to him to describe how I was feeling (unwell), and he smiled to himself. He probably guessed I got the word from the internet. Personally, I find the web a god-send in this regard.
I look forward to reading your posts Beth, there always very informative.
Marantz.
I'll mention the sleep apnea to my GP the next time I visit him. I can see his eyes rolling up to heaven now. He's actually a good doctor (has a string of letters after his name), but for some reason, if nothing is found in obvious/standard tests, then that's it as far as he is concerned. He doesn't have much time I think for his patients searching the internet to self-diagnose themselves. I mentioned the word 'malaise' to him to describe how I was feeling (unwell), and he smiled to himself. He probably guessed I got the word from the internet. Personally, I find the web a god-send in this regard.
I look forward to reading your posts Beth, there always very informative.
Marantz.
Michael8466
02-25-2008, 01:15 AM
I had myself checked out for sleep apnea. I was sure I had it, but just wanted to confirm it. I'm going back to complete the testing. I believe my back pain and sleep apnea is the cause for my high blood pressure. Hopefully I'm on my way to less medication.
bethsheba
02-25-2008, 07:26 PM
... He's actually a good doctor (has a string of letters after his name), .... and he smiled to himself. He probably guessed I got the word from the internet. Personally, I find the web a god-send in this regard....Marantz.
Hello Marantz,
I remember you telling us how much you liked him, and for good reason, too. I'm glad you have a good doctor...it's important you have someone you're comfortable with! They could be the best doctor in the world, but if they frighten you, don't listen, or treat you like an insect, all of their knowledge and experience is really almost worthless, isn't it?
I, too, have found the web a god-send. It opens up an entire new world for all of us...and I think it brings us together, no matter where we are from ..because no matter what our race, our nationality, our politics, our religion, our education, our sex, our whatever...we all have problems...and sometimes these problems "equalize" us and bring us closer.
Good luck, Marantz. And do take care.
Bethsheba
Hello Marantz,
I remember you telling us how much you liked him, and for good reason, too. I'm glad you have a good doctor...it's important you have someone you're comfortable with! They could be the best doctor in the world, but if they frighten you, don't listen, or treat you like an insect, all of their knowledge and experience is really almost worthless, isn't it?
I, too, have found the web a god-send. It opens up an entire new world for all of us...and I think it brings us together, no matter where we are from ..because no matter what our race, our nationality, our politics, our religion, our education, our sex, our whatever...we all have problems...and sometimes these problems "equalize" us and bring us closer.
Good luck, Marantz. And do take care.
Bethsheba
bethsheba
02-25-2008, 07:32 PM
I had myself checked out for sleep apnea. I was sure I had it, but just wanted to confirm it. I'm going back to complete the testing.
Good for you, Michael!!! You have everything to gain by completing the test...
If you don't mind my asking, would you be willing to share what kind of "testing" you had done, who did the testing, and whatever other info might be of help to someone interested in knowing more.
I wouldn't be surprised if treatment for sleep apnea will help reduce your back pain. When we're tired, our pain threshhold isn't the same as when we're well rested...imho
Bethsheaba
Good for you, Michael!!! You have everything to gain by completing the test...
If you don't mind my asking, would you be willing to share what kind of "testing" you had done, who did the testing, and whatever other info might be of help to someone interested in knowing more.
I wouldn't be surprised if treatment for sleep apnea will help reduce your back pain. When we're tired, our pain threshhold isn't the same as when we're well rested...imho
Bethsheaba
bethsheba
02-25-2008, 07:47 PM
...- I too have many of these symptoms which I have noticed over the past few months do seem MUCH worse at night. Vanessa
You're welcome, Vanessa. Just for your info, I strongly believe that the meds made my sleep problems (and my hypertension) WORSE. Many bp meds list fatigue, insomnia, somnolescence, sleep disturbances, etc but they really don't go into detail...and given the cost of sleep studies, I doubt there has been a single sleep study done to see HOW those meds impact our sleep. (However, there have been studies done to look at the correlation between sleep deprivation and hypertension, and sleep apnea and hypertension.)
Although I took a 9-12 page sleep "quiz" for my first appt with a sleep specialist, he told me at my first appointment that he strongly suspected a sleep disorder based on 3 things he saw in my medical chart that the primary physician had sent over...a history of acid reflux (and acid reflux medication), getting up at night to urinate, and hypertension! I later found out that another red flag for sleep apnea was asthma (but found this out from the asthma sufferers in my sleep disorders support group). He ordered a sleep study for me the very day he saw me!
Take care, Vanessa. Am root, root, rooting for your withdrawal to withdraw!!!
Bethsheba
You're welcome, Vanessa. Just for your info, I strongly believe that the meds made my sleep problems (and my hypertension) WORSE. Many bp meds list fatigue, insomnia, somnolescence, sleep disturbances, etc but they really don't go into detail...and given the cost of sleep studies, I doubt there has been a single sleep study done to see HOW those meds impact our sleep. (However, there have been studies done to look at the correlation between sleep deprivation and hypertension, and sleep apnea and hypertension.)
Although I took a 9-12 page sleep "quiz" for my first appt with a sleep specialist, he told me at my first appointment that he strongly suspected a sleep disorder based on 3 things he saw in my medical chart that the primary physician had sent over...a history of acid reflux (and acid reflux medication), getting up at night to urinate, and hypertension! I later found out that another red flag for sleep apnea was asthma (but found this out from the asthma sufferers in my sleep disorders support group). He ordered a sleep study for me the very day he saw me!
Take care, Vanessa. Am root, root, rooting for your withdrawal to withdraw!!!
Bethsheba
Michael8466
02-25-2008, 08:17 PM
Hello all, the second part of my "sleep study" is to have me sleep with a cpap machine. The doctor said I have sleep apnea and I need this part of the test to calibrate the machine. It's easy and painless to get tested. I just asked my doctor to get tested and he sent me to our local hospital for the study. I'm hoping to able sleep on my back in peace. This is the only position I'm comfortable sleeping after my back surgery, but I couldn't anymore because of the sleep apnea. As for my back pain, I'll be seeing a new pm dr. soon. My goal is to get off these damm meds and bring my blood pressure down to where I won't need them anymore. I didn't have any blood pressure problems until my back issues.
bethsheba
02-25-2008, 08:32 PM
Hello all, the second part of my "sleep study" is to have me sleep with a cpap machine. The doctor said I have sleep apnea and I need this part of the test to calibrate the machine. It's easy and painless to get tested. I just asked my doctor to get tested and he sent me to our local hospital for the study....
Michael,
Thanks so much for the explanation as to how you went about getting tested, and the second part of your study (I didn't have the second part...but they called me practically the next day and said to go over and pick up my cpap, :D). You're fortunate to have a doctor who has some knowledge in this area...too many don't and it is the patient who suffers.
...My goal is to get off these damm meds and bring my blood pressure down to where I won't need them anymore. I didn't have any blood pressure problems until my back issues.
You'll get off the meds...I did...but I don't think I'd be off them if it weren't for my cpap...and my diet, ;).
Good luck with cpap! It took me several months to get the kinks worked out, but I knew on the very first night I slept with it that it was a "keeper"!
Bethsheba
Michael,
Thanks so much for the explanation as to how you went about getting tested, and the second part of your study (I didn't have the second part...but they called me practically the next day and said to go over and pick up my cpap, :D). You're fortunate to have a doctor who has some knowledge in this area...too many don't and it is the patient who suffers.
...My goal is to get off these damm meds and bring my blood pressure down to where I won't need them anymore. I didn't have any blood pressure problems until my back issues.
You'll get off the meds...I did...but I don't think I'd be off them if it weren't for my cpap...and my diet, ;).
Good luck with cpap! It took me several months to get the kinks worked out, but I knew on the very first night I slept with it that it was a "keeper"!
Bethsheba
bethsheba
02-25-2008, 08:49 PM
... I plan on taking at least one self-test in the next few days.
P.S. I am one of the people who have never been screened for this condition. I wonder why? :(
FG
Hi flowergirl,
I'd recommend you take more than one test....one little quiz may suggest you "have" a sleep disorder but it will not tell you that you "don't". It's only a tool and the "Quiz" I posted on this board only "tests" for sleepiness which is only one symptom of a sleep disorder...and some of us with sleep disorders don't ever feel "sleepy".
Before I saw my sleep specialist, I had to take a 9-12 page "quiz"...but my doctor said he "knew" I had a sleep disorder without reading the quiz...he said all of the signs were in the chart that my primary doctor had sent over---acid reflux, getting up at night to urinate, and high blood pressure. The quiz and the sleep study only confirmed what he "knew".
I've read your posts for about a year now, (Happy Anniversary, by the way), and I've never seen anything that suggested you had a sleep problem. That's not to say you don't, but I haven't seen anything in your posts (your acid reflux problems and breathing problems, although signs of a sleep disorder, started after you were on medication, right?).
Months ago, I did mention the possibility to you (not because I thought you had a disorder, but because I thought it should be ruled out!!), and you referred to your medical records and they said "no sleep apnea", if I recall correctly. You might want to go back and look. And even if that's what it said, if it were me, I would want to know how and why that conclusion was arrived at. One can't assume the doctors know what they're talking about...
You were in the hospital, too, so health care professionals should have had an opportunity to observe you sleeping at night. Nurses are trained to be aware of respirations (breathing), so I would hope they would have noticed if your respirations changed in any way.
That said, it can't hurt to rule out apnea...but don't rely on one little quiz. Your husband would be the best "test" as he could tell you if you stopped breathing or if he couldn't hear you breath (shallow breathing),
If you have any questions, do ask...but if I were in your shoes, I would be spending my time figuring out how I could see Canada's foremost specialist in adrenal medicine.
Take care, flowergirl.
Bethsheba
P.S. I am one of the people who have never been screened for this condition. I wonder why? :(
FG
Hi flowergirl,
I'd recommend you take more than one test....one little quiz may suggest you "have" a sleep disorder but it will not tell you that you "don't". It's only a tool and the "Quiz" I posted on this board only "tests" for sleepiness which is only one symptom of a sleep disorder...and some of us with sleep disorders don't ever feel "sleepy".
Before I saw my sleep specialist, I had to take a 9-12 page "quiz"...but my doctor said he "knew" I had a sleep disorder without reading the quiz...he said all of the signs were in the chart that my primary doctor had sent over---acid reflux, getting up at night to urinate, and high blood pressure. The quiz and the sleep study only confirmed what he "knew".
I've read your posts for about a year now, (Happy Anniversary, by the way), and I've never seen anything that suggested you had a sleep problem. That's not to say you don't, but I haven't seen anything in your posts (your acid reflux problems and breathing problems, although signs of a sleep disorder, started after you were on medication, right?).
Months ago, I did mention the possibility to you (not because I thought you had a disorder, but because I thought it should be ruled out!!), and you referred to your medical records and they said "no sleep apnea", if I recall correctly. You might want to go back and look. And even if that's what it said, if it were me, I would want to know how and why that conclusion was arrived at. One can't assume the doctors know what they're talking about...
You were in the hospital, too, so health care professionals should have had an opportunity to observe you sleeping at night. Nurses are trained to be aware of respirations (breathing), so I would hope they would have noticed if your respirations changed in any way.
That said, it can't hurt to rule out apnea...but don't rely on one little quiz. Your husband would be the best "test" as he could tell you if you stopped breathing or if he couldn't hear you breath (shallow breathing),
If you have any questions, do ask...but if I were in your shoes, I would be spending my time figuring out how I could see Canada's foremost specialist in adrenal medicine.
Take care, flowergirl.
Bethsheba
flowergirl2day
02-25-2008, 11:51 PM
Well, thank you for the good wishes! My doctor has reminded me several times about how much WORSE I was then (meaning I should not complain about anything).
I tried to look for a mention of the sleep apnea in the stack of papers but found only one reference to sleep apnea - a note that it was not known whether or not I had it, same with aldosteronism and it was thought to be unlikely. This was before all the tests were carried out. I don't feel like reading that kind of stuff anyway so will not look for more.
I think you're right when you say they would have noticed any breathing irregularities at the hospital. During my hospital stay the heart function and blood pressure and oxygen levels were monitored at all times. I guess it is safe to assume I don't have sleep apnea. Thanks for making me see that...I can be pretty dense sometimes.
flowergirl
I tried to look for a mention of the sleep apnea in the stack of papers but found only one reference to sleep apnea - a note that it was not known whether or not I had it, same with aldosteronism and it was thought to be unlikely. This was before all the tests were carried out. I don't feel like reading that kind of stuff anyway so will not look for more.
I think you're right when you say they would have noticed any breathing irregularities at the hospital. During my hospital stay the heart function and blood pressure and oxygen levels were monitored at all times. I guess it is safe to assume I don't have sleep apnea. Thanks for making me see that...I can be pretty dense sometimes.
flowergirl
marantz1935
02-26-2008, 07:26 AM
They could be the best doctor in the world, but if they frighten you, don't listen, or treat you like an insect, all of their knowledge and experience is really almost worthless, isn't it?
That's very true Beth. I feel sort of frightened or intimidated when I go to him (though he doesn't try to make me feel that way), and make a suggestion myself as to what I think might be wrong with me. I also lack confidence, and I think that has a huge bearing on things. I am going to mention the SA to him next time I see him.
<removed>
Marantz :)
That's very true Beth. I feel sort of frightened or intimidated when I go to him (though he doesn't try to make me feel that way), and make a suggestion myself as to what I think might be wrong with me. I also lack confidence, and I think that has a huge bearing on things. I am going to mention the SA to him next time I see him.
<removed>
Marantz :)
bethsheba
02-26-2008, 08:43 AM
... they would have noticed any breathing irregularities at the hospital. During my hospital stay the heart function and blood pressure and oxygen levels were monitored at all times. I guess it is safe to assume I don't have sleep apnea. Thanks for making me see that...I can be pretty dense sometimes. flowergirl
Flowergirl,
First off, you are not in the least bit dense...you're one smart cookie! But you are on overload...your medical records must be massive! And you cannot expect to know it all, remember it all, or understand it all! especially given your side effects.
Yes, I think they would have picked up apnea at the hospital because, as you say, they monitor oxygen levels. That's not to say things can't be missed, but given the circumstances, it would be unlikely.
Bethsheba
Flowergirl,
First off, you are not in the least bit dense...you're one smart cookie! But you are on overload...your medical records must be massive! And you cannot expect to know it all, remember it all, or understand it all! especially given your side effects.
Yes, I think they would have picked up apnea at the hospital because, as you say, they monitor oxygen levels. That's not to say things can't be missed, but given the circumstances, it would be unlikely.
Bethsheba
bethsheba
02-26-2008, 08:51 AM
...I feel sort of frightened or intimidated when I go to him (though he doesn't try to make me feel that way), and make a suggestion myself as to what I think might be wrong with me. I also lack confidence, and I think that has a huge bearing on things....
Perfectly understandable, Marantz. I still feel that way...and my doctor (although not well versed in the treatment of hypertension) is a good doctor, too, and one who listens to his patients (he may not have agreed with me that my symptoms were caused by meds, but he did change my prescriptions!).
I think you will develop more confidence as time goes on...reading these boards helps enormously. Although some of what is said here may or may not be accurate, the info at least gives a person insights and that person can look further for the info.
<removed>
Bethsheba
Perfectly understandable, Marantz. I still feel that way...and my doctor (although not well versed in the treatment of hypertension) is a good doctor, too, and one who listens to his patients (he may not have agreed with me that my symptoms were caused by meds, but he did change my prescriptions!).
I think you will develop more confidence as time goes on...reading these boards helps enormously. Although some of what is said here may or may not be accurate, the info at least gives a person insights and that person can look further for the info.
<removed>
Bethsheba