Topsyturvy105
09-02-2008, 04:38 PM
Good Afternoon,
I have something I知 struggling with and will gladly accept any advice given. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, copd and peripheral neuropathy. I have a full time job outside of the home and that is the area I知 struggling with. I work with a wonderful group of people who are very understanding of my medical situation but I知 afraid if my fatigue continues to increase at the rate its going some one will notice very soon if they haven稚 already. It used to be that it was more in the afternoon and that if I walked around or was extremely busy I could keep my fatigue at bay but not anymore. No matter what the circumstances, what I mean is it I could be driving a car, it could be the busiest day, it could be 8:30 am when I arrive at 8, or I could even be on the phone when I fall asleep. I致e tried everything including fatigue medication but nothing helps. I go to bed at 8pm every night but even with the CPAP machine I知 still up numerous times in the night. I知 so afraid I知 going to get fired. I知 plan on talking to my doctor again but when I tell him I知 struggling with fatigue I don稚 think he realizes the magnitude of what I知 telling him. For goodness sakes telling him I知 falling asleep driving ought to send up red flags. What should I do?
I have something I知 struggling with and will gladly accept any advice given. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, copd and peripheral neuropathy. I have a full time job outside of the home and that is the area I知 struggling with. I work with a wonderful group of people who are very understanding of my medical situation but I知 afraid if my fatigue continues to increase at the rate its going some one will notice very soon if they haven稚 already. It used to be that it was more in the afternoon and that if I walked around or was extremely busy I could keep my fatigue at bay but not anymore. No matter what the circumstances, what I mean is it I could be driving a car, it could be the busiest day, it could be 8:30 am when I arrive at 8, or I could even be on the phone when I fall asleep. I致e tried everything including fatigue medication but nothing helps. I go to bed at 8pm every night but even with the CPAP machine I知 still up numerous times in the night. I知 so afraid I知 going to get fired. I知 plan on talking to my doctor again but when I tell him I知 struggling with fatigue I don稚 think he realizes the magnitude of what I知 telling him. For goodness sakes telling him I知 falling asleep driving ought to send up red flags. What should I do?
Sponsor
bluelakelady
09-02-2008, 07:08 PM
hi topsy,
if you are not taking a sleep aid like ambien or lunesta i suggest you tell, not ask, tell your doctor you want to try a sleep aid. i have been on ambien for about 10 years i think and it still works.
with fibro sleep is an issue. we tend to wake alot at night and never achieve deep r.e.m. sleep. tell your doctor you are terrified of falling asleep at the wheel. you may also tell him there is a death rate associated with fibro. solely and only deaths from falling asleep while driving. when my doc told me that i was blown away. i had had so many close calls. now i don't drive in the late afternoon and i always pull over and rest a bit if that fatigue does hit. there is nowhere i have to be that fast.
print this out if you want and take it to him.
by the way, nice to meet you. welcome.
peace,
bluelakelady
if you are not taking a sleep aid like ambien or lunesta i suggest you tell, not ask, tell your doctor you want to try a sleep aid. i have been on ambien for about 10 years i think and it still works.
with fibro sleep is an issue. we tend to wake alot at night and never achieve deep r.e.m. sleep. tell your doctor you are terrified of falling asleep at the wheel. you may also tell him there is a death rate associated with fibro. solely and only deaths from falling asleep while driving. when my doc told me that i was blown away. i had had so many close calls. now i don't drive in the late afternoon and i always pull over and rest a bit if that fatigue does hit. there is nowhere i have to be that fast.
print this out if you want and take it to him.
by the way, nice to meet you. welcome.
peace,
bluelakelady
kirstee
09-02-2008, 07:42 PM
I can so relate to your concern. I have fallen asleep at the wheel more than once, and it was so alarming. I never had an accident due to rumble strips or some "other" (I'm point heavenward) intervention. It might be worth trying a new eating plan, eliminating complex carbohydrates and sugar, and focusing on high protein, quality foods. Once I started eating high protein, I had a boost in energy and I haven't had as many fall-asleep episodes. The sugar spikes caused by sugar/complex carbohydrates causes blood sugar spikes and crashes which may be contributing to your sleepiness.
It's nice to meet you :angel:
Kirstee
It's nice to meet you :angel:
Kirstee
seaturtle
09-02-2008, 10:38 PM
Hi,
Would finding another doctor be something you'd consider? Falling asleep at the wheel is dangerous, and your difficulties at work, if increasing, need attention. Can you drop down to part-time?
The more we exhaust ourselves, the worse we'll get in the long run. Please try to find support for lessening your activities and taking more time for rest.
I wish I could follow my own advice.
Seaturtle
Would finding another doctor be something you'd consider? Falling asleep at the wheel is dangerous, and your difficulties at work, if increasing, need attention. Can you drop down to part-time?
The more we exhaust ourselves, the worse we'll get in the long run. Please try to find support for lessening your activities and taking more time for rest.
I wish I could follow my own advice.
Seaturtle
slanabhaile75
09-19-2008, 08:11 PM
you need to get your thyroid and your adrenal glands checked out. removed. Even if your dr has checked these out, it may not be enough. There are more advanced tests out, that Dr Honeyman does. Good luck
DeBeachSiren
09-20-2008, 07:57 AM
Hi,
Get some test done, liked advised by others.
I've been on Ambien (regular, not CR) for about 9, 10 years too and it helps a lot to fight the tiredness. Remember, you hire the doctor, don't let he/she intimidate you. I agree, tell the doctor what is wrong and be more assertive. I've never had the fighting sleep driving like that. I have fibro, but the myofascial soft tissue disease is worse for me. Driving is dangerous for you and innocent others until you get this under control.
I agree with seeing if it's possible for you to cut your hours down until you can address this sleepy issue.
Please be careful sweetie,
AnneBoleyn
Get some test done, liked advised by others.
I've been on Ambien (regular, not CR) for about 9, 10 years too and it helps a lot to fight the tiredness. Remember, you hire the doctor, don't let he/she intimidate you. I agree, tell the doctor what is wrong and be more assertive. I've never had the fighting sleep driving like that. I have fibro, but the myofascial soft tissue disease is worse for me. Driving is dangerous for you and innocent others until you get this under control.
I agree with seeing if it's possible for you to cut your hours down until you can address this sleepy issue.
Please be careful sweetie,
AnneBoleyn
jroubikwills
09-24-2008, 10:36 AM
Hi. I am sorry to hear your problem. I had bad sleep probably for the last 10 years until my doc prescribed trazadone. Now I finally sleep and feel very refreshed in the morning and most of the day. I too, obviously have fibro. Was diagnosed about a year back. I had tried every sleep med out there... diphenhydramine, lunesta, ambien, u name it. Then when my doc put me on trazadone (it's an antidepressent by the way, used for insomnia mostly now) it was a godsend. So my advice to you would be, find the right sleep med and it will make all the difference in how you feel during the day!! Good luck and keep us posted.
Jerilyn
Jerilyn
Blossom27
09-24-2008, 10:59 AM
I have ME which is very similar to Fibromyalgia, the only difference is that we do mot have the pressure points, but we have every other symptom that people with Fibromyalgia have, including the sleep problems. Go back to your doctor and tell him what is happening, all of it since you have sleep apnea, copd and peripheral neuropathy I think some time off work is needed to sort out your exhaustion and get you back into a regular sleeping pattern. The total exhaustion that all of us with these 2 illnesses are very difficult to get across to doctors and other members of the medical profession. Some studies have shown that the exhaustion we feel is the same as someone in the terminal stages of AIDS and cancer. It might be worth mentioning that to your doctor, as it is the only way he will understand what you are going through.
I realise that this post is rather late as you wrote your first post at the start of September, however I only joined yesterday and I am still feeling my way around the board.
I wish you good luck and hope that you have an understanding doctor. Please let us know how you are getting on.
I realise that this post is rather late as you wrote your first post at the start of September, however I only joined yesterday and I am still feeling my way around the board.
I wish you good luck and hope that you have an understanding doctor. Please let us know how you are getting on.
gingerwolf
09-28-2008, 01:38 AM
Oh Honey, you should be at home getting all the rest you can! With all your diagnoses and symptoms if your doctor doesn't realize the magnitude of your condition he deserves a good kick in the posterior. Maybe you should get a new doctor. As I mentioned in another post there are some sites online that rate how doctors are with fibro. National Fibromyalgia just sent me a survey about it so they will have a listing soon too. Is it possible for you to go on disability for awhile? Maybe relaxing and getting enough rest will let your body heal enough that you can consider going back to work at a later date. And don't rush your time off either because you think you should be at work. Your body will tell you when it's ready to take on work again. Forget about what everybody says and do what's right for you and your body.
newbrunswick
09-28-2008, 06:26 PM
I have ME which is very similar to Fibromyalgia, the only difference is that we do mot have the pressure points, but we have every other symptom that people with Fibromyalgia have, including the sleep problems.
Blossom - what is ME?
Blossom - what is ME?