*~*newbie*~* - Sleep Disorders Message Board

Mommy2oo6 · 04-22-2005, 12:17 PM

Hi there, I've been suffering from many symptoms the last 2 years and after being checked many times for hypothyroid I finally found a Dr. who would listen to my symptoms. Dr. Deb said she's almost 99% sure I have Sleep Apnea, and is sending me for a sleeping test tonight. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will find an answer soon, so I can have my life back.

*What I'm dealing with*

Tired ALL the time, I could sleep anywhere at any time
Body aches especially my neck and shoulders
I have pain in both sides of my hips/thighs after sitting or laying for long periods of times
Arthritis in my knees
Exhausted after any exertion
Snoring
Waking up numerous times during the night
Short term memory loss
Irritability/depression
Mild head aches
Photophobia

Tiffany~

hry33 · 04-22-2005, 12:40 PM

sadly sleep apnea is often overlooked by docs, maybe because theres no expensive patented med for it,
docs only seem to think of problems that are advertised and mentioned by the drug companies, I eventually had to diagnose my sleep apnea myself, as an anxiety sufferer , all my docs thought my fatigue was from anxiety or depression

you may be prescribed a CPAP machine, these can be difficult to get used to but do help a lot

Mommy2oo6 · 04-22-2005, 01:32 PM

hry33~ My dad was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea 2 years ago, so I know all about the CPAP. I'm not to excited about it, but my doctor told me there's a new one that goes inside your nose instead of over your nose, so I'm hoping to try that one.

Thanks for the response.

starlet32079 · 04-26-2005, 01:44 PM

hi mommy 2006,
I also have alot of those same symptoms and have to go in for a sleep study, they think that I may have Narcolepsy. I was told about two weeks ago that I have CFS & fibro but went back into the doc today and told him some of the new things that are happening and he would like to look into the whole Narcolepsy thing.

STARLET

patience 50 · 04-27-2005, 06:59 AM

Hi Tiffany,

I've talked to you on the thyroid boards. I believe I was the one who suggested you might have a sleep problem. Have you been set up for a sleep study yet?

I have gone through the study and received my CPAP machine. I have 3 different appliances. One is the standard nasal mask. One is a heavier one with a thicker soft gel piece that can be molded to your face to prevent leaks when you move. The last one is a small plastic piece that has two small open caps to fit into your nostrils. I truly thought that would be the one for me but the air hose is on the side and since I sleep on my sides a lot it was impossible to get used to. The pressure from trying to sleep on that side pushed at the hose, thereby pushing on the nasal bar and making the lower part of my nostril very sore.

I wound up using the one I thought I would like the least. My sleep is improving but it's a slow go. Still, I feel it will all be worth it in the end so I will persisit. I have been told it can take as much as several months to get used to having the appliance on one's face and sleep completely through the night. I am looking forward to that.

I can tell you that the aches and pains in my chest, shoulders, and arms have lessened already. I used to always wake up in pain and grumpy. While I'm not setting any records now, at least I'm not in extreme pain when I first try to move in the mornings these days.

Hope you have a diagnosis soon. Don't get frustrated if it takes a while to adjust to the machine and the appliance.

May God Bless and Keep Us All
Patience 50