Sleep studies - Sleep Disorders Message Board

pajamaqueen · 04-25-2005, 12:01 AM

One of the (many) specialists I've been to lately wants to send me for a sleep study to rule out sleep disorders as a cause for my fatigue. I've looked at websites listing symptoms and I really don't think I have a sleep disorder--my symptoms fall in line more with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome--but I understand the logic in ruling it out, just the same. The problem is that I've always been a light sleeper and a born night owl, and those two things combined will mean I'll never get decent sleep under testing circumstances if I sleep at all. That will render any results fairly useless, so I'm kind of thinking--what's the point? I'm already exhausted beyond belief on a daily basis (with some days better than others); I'm having a hard time wanting to subject myself to a sleepless night which will reap consequences for my energy levels for a good week following, especially all for a big fat NOTHING.

Are there any alternatives that I can beg and plead for to those hospital sleep studies?

Oh, and do any of you know if over the counter sleeping pills do anything to help you reach REM sleep? Inquiring minds and all that stuff.

Thanks!

shellshocked · 04-27-2005, 04:36 PM

Have they eliminated a thyroid disorder??? I had a sleep test over 6 years ago---when I asked what the diagnosis was the doctor replied that I didn't sleep well at night. I was so mad I wrote a letter to the hospital. Of course nothing came of it, but just last year I got a copy of the original test to give to the new doctor who was going to do a new test to check out CPAP. It ends up that I suffered from sleep apnea for 5 years without knowing it. I think this also aggravated my hypothyroidism---that's another story of course---I would encourage you to check out some of the thyroid threads and see if anything rings a bell.
Be real careful with the sleep medications. As one of the doctors told me: "If you don't breathe while you're asleep, you could die." ROTFL---Duh!!!

patience 50 · 05-01-2005, 08:54 AM

Hi pajamaqueen,

I recently had the sleep studies done and can tell you I absolutely felt the same way you do. I was very put off by the idea of someone watching me sleep other than my husband. In truth, I was making up excuses not to go. I had to go 2 different times because I didn't sleep enough the first night to get both a diagnosis and a fix. However, out of 8 hours I did sleep over 3 and 2 of those were deep rem sleep during which time they found I have severe obstructive apnea. The second time I didn't sleep much more because the CPAP mask bothered me a great deal. And you are correct, I was a totally fatigued train wreck for a week or more after each study. I also caught the flu which turned into sinusitis that lasted for 2 months. I blame it all on being sleep deprived.

However, the truth is that I was sleep deprived all along and that is what was contributing to my fatigue. I also have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, hypo T, and a form of Lupus both of which cause fatigue.

I have been using the CPAP mask for 6 weeks now and I can't feel a difference unless I don't use it. I have tried 2 nights without and oh my, the fatigue was extreme again. So while I hadn't really noticed much improvement, there obviously was some that was quickly evidenced when I didn't use the mask.

I guess I am trying to tell you to swallow your pride and your modesty and have the sleep studies done. In the end I think you will be glad you did no matter what they find. If there is a problem it can be treated and if there isn't one you will have ruled this possibility out.

May God Bless and Keep Us All
Patience 50

hry33 · 05-03-2005, 06:52 PM

I am a cronic anxiety sufferer and took a very large dose of tranquillisers for all my sleep studies, and even then didnt get much sleep, fortunately I did sleep enough for a diagnosis of sleep apnea
I use my CPAP machine every night and have lots more energy now

a problem not always appreciated with any type of CPAP nose mask is that the mouth must stay closed or the machine cant work
some tape their lips which others dont approve of, chin splints are supposed to fix the problem but dont seem to help much

with my anxiety, it took a full 3 months for me to get used to my CPAP machine

patience 50 · 05-03-2005, 07:24 PM

I never thought of anxioty being my problem but I must say after 6 weeks I am still waking up in a panic about something being on my face and sufficating me. I can avoid it by laying on my side, ( I used to sleep on my side most of the time ), except when my face sinks into the pillow the mask is dislodged. The breeze from the air vent is uncomfortable for me as well. Seems any breeze on my skin will keep me awake. At this point I am at a loss as to decide which is worse, the aches, pains, and fatigue I suffer when I don't use the mask; or the sleep deprivation and mean, angry feelings it causes. Some nights when I wake up from the mask I can't go back to sleep for hours. I am beginning to feel like I am dmd if I use it and dmd if I don't. I know I'm tried of trying with no results. I'm not sure it is worth the struggle.

May God Bless and Keep Us All
Patience 50