could this be sleep apnea? - Sleep Disorders Message Board

willie12 · 07-06-2008, 06:16 PM

Hello everyone,

I posted on a different board, but was referred to sleep disorders. I have been suffering for so long, and am posting on boards like these as a last resort. I am a 37 year old male, formerly very vital, and now am experiencing non-specific symptoms so severe that I feel that if they persist, I'll have to kill myself to save the wife and daughter I love so much.

Today, my most prevalent symptoms are these: disorientation, brain fog, easily overwhelmed by rooms with lots of stimuli, high sensitivity to stimulants like caffeine & alcohol, fatigue, persistent infections, low immune function, most energetic in the evening, terrible time getting out of bed in the morning, sore throats, vomiting sensation when I exercise, social isolation, trouble concentrating, impaired vision, trouble speaking, forgetting names.

Two years ago, I had surgery on my septum, and the sore throats were reduced, but the other symptoms remained. After the surgery, my sleep was better. But my septum returned back to its original place, and the bad sleep and sore throats have returned. I know sleep apnea can contribute to the brain fog, fatigue, infections, etc. But what about the vomiting sensation? An overwhelming response to stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, etc? Getting disoriented when walking into a room with a lot of stimuli?

As you read this, please keep the following in mind: I've been to an endocrineologist and had my thyroid x-rayed, with no abnormalities. Blood tests also showed no serious abnormalities, other than low testosterone. But the feedback I've gotten on my symptoms still points to the issue being with my thyroid or adrenals.

I'll give you an overview of my health history. A lot of it probably does not apply, but you never know what will set something off in someone's mind:

*About 7 years ago, I had a very sudden plunge in testosterone levels. As in, one day I was totally functional sexually, and weeks later I had total ED. Tests revealed a very low testosterone level. I took creams for the issue, which worked intermittently. My levels were all over the place, and ultimately I got off the cream, as my wife and I were trying to have a child.

*About four years ago, I started having an overwhelming sensation that I was going to throw up when I exercised. When I exerted myself in any way, I would become overwhelmed with nausea. As time went on, less and less activity would make me feel this thickness in my throat, like I was going to throw up. I even went to the emergency room a couple of times.

*Around this time, I also started having trouble reading. My reading comprehension started getting really bad. At this time, what had been a steel-trap mind was overcome with brain fog. I am a writer and editor, and found it brutally hard to do my job. I also became really lethargic.

*About 3 years ago, I started feeling dizzy. I'd get "sensory overload" very quickly, very overcome with a lot of noises and stimuli all around me. I've found that when I step in and out of lighted rooms, or when things get quiet and noisy, I get overwhelmed. Also when I have to do a lot of turning and positional changes, things get weird.

*A couple of years ago, I had surgery to correct a deviated septum. I've always had bad sinuses. The septum ultimately returned to its original state, and I still suffer from it. I have difficulty sleeping through the night, and snore.

*Along with the bad sinuses has come sore throats. I recently had a sore throat that must've lasted for four months and withstood about five rounds of antibiotics. Finally, steroids got the swelling down. But when I get these sore throats, I have strong lymphatic reactions and general flu-like symptoms.

*Today, brain fog is at an all-time high. My reaction times have slowed incredibly. My thoughts have been reduced to pure survival instinct. All I think about is myself, and getting through minute to minute. My memory is totally shot, and I have terrible recall. I have become incredibly isolated and resist socializing, as when I'm in a social environment, I get confused, overstimulated, disoriented, etc. I know the tendency is to say this is mental, but I assure you, it is biological/chemical. I was a great athlete, and now can do next to nothing.

*Tests have revealed almost nothing. Blood tests, MRIs, MRAs, heart workups, etc., have all shown nothing. The only constant has been low testosterone. When I get on testosterone treatment, though, the ED goes away and levels go back to normal, but the other symptoms persist.

*One thing that I think might be revealing is that when I drink the slightest bit of alcohol, my brain is totally overcome. The same goes for caffeine or energy drinks. I'm just knocked sideways. I have taken anti-depressants and
anti-anxiety meds, and they do the same thing. I end up being debilitated, and feel like I'm looking at life through a small window.

*My symptoms are at their worst in the morning, and I have the most difficulty after getting out of the shower.

*To that end, I am very sensitive to hot and cold. I'm the first guy to feel cold in a room. Likewise, when I get warm, I also feel badly, and am more prone to that throwing-up sensation.

*When I go the doctor, my body temperature is generally very low, like around 95 or 96 degrees. My blood pressure is generally on the low side.

*Today, my most prevalent symptoms are these: disorientation, brain fog, easily overwhelmed, fatigue, persistent infections, low immune function, most energetic in the evening, terrible time getting out of bed in the morning, sore throats, vomiting sensation when I exercise, social isolation, trouble concentrating, impaired vision, trouble speaking, forgetting names.

*The only other things I might throw in are that I've had a lot of knee surgeries (around 13), and a few bouts of depression starting in my early 20s, for which I have taken anti-depressants on and off. (I hesitate to mention this, because doctors often use it as a go-to when they can't figure out what's wrong with me. I can't tell you how many times I've been told this is anxiety related. I assure you, that is not the case. The only thing making me anxious is feeling this way.)

In summary, in about three years, I have gone from being a vibrant, athletic, funny, smart guy, to basically being a collection of symptoms and a shadow of a person. I have difficulty working, and can barely socialize. I'm a far, far cry from the husband, father and provider I should be. I feel like if I can't get over this, I should just get myself out of the way so I don't hold my family back. We've spent thousands and thousands of dollars on tests and doctors (including an $8,000 MRI my insurance ended up not covering), and I don't know what to do. I'm a good guy; I only want to take care of my family. I've never done a single drug; have barely ingested alcohol. I've lived a clean, healthy life. I live in Monterey County, Calif., so there are few pollutants here, and I am a writer, so I'm not in an unhealthy work environment.

Please help me. I am really suffering. I'm at a weird point where I'd love it if someone said that I have MS, diabetes or something else, just so I'll know. But so far, nothing has come up on tests. I'm reluctant to spend a lot of money going to balance clinics, inner-ear places or anything like that, mostly because of how overwhelmed I feel when I take stimulants, and because of the brain fog I have 100 percent of the day. This makes me feel like it must be something else.

Please let me know your thoughts.

haoba1 · 07-06-2008, 08:45 PM

Many of the symptoms you describe, such as feeling better in the evening, brain fog, trouble concentrating (reading) and interacting socially are indeed symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Keep in mind the symptoms of these are often VERY physical, and quite real to the sufferer. Certainly even thinking your family might be better off w/o you is a clear sign of depression that needs professional attention right now! You mention having depression before, my question would be is did the meds work for you then? If they did, and you were taking them for long enough now, you should have some relief from the same one (or another one).
With anxiety, antidepressants may worsen symptoms before they get better, so best in many cases to start with a lower dose and work it up, or take it with a benzodiazepene to counter the stimulation until the body adjusts to the AD and then after you are feeling better for some time slowly wean off the benzo.
The testosterone level thing is not one of the symptoms of depression or anxiety (or sleep disorders) as far as I know, but clearly even if other factors are at work, you need relief from the anxiety these unpleasant symptoms are causing you. When I had my first panic attack a couple of decades ago, the anxiety/hypochondria/strange and frightening physical sensations and extreme fatigue/weakness that I felt were very good at convincing me that I might die soon. I certainly felt like the living dead for months until I found a good doctor and the right medicines. I'm still here, and minus a couple of minor, brief setbacks, life has been very good, something I could not have imagined back then in the midst of the illness, when it seemed that everything that I had before, like my strength, stamina, and sense of well being seemed gone forever.
I wish you well, and encourage you to continue to speak to your doctors and let them know of how much this is distressing you. Realize, even through the brain fog, that your sense that your family might be better off without you is a symptom and NOT a rational thought. Get treatment for that asap. Good luck!

index.html · 07-07-2008, 12:30 PM

I agree with haoba that your symptoms could be a result of anxiety & depression. HOWEVER, I think there are other possible causes.

You asked if it could be related to sleep apnea. The answer is yes, especially if you snore and your spouce reports episodes of airway occlusion. It is also possible, though, to have sleep apnea without snoring. I think it would be worth your while to have a sleep study.

I'd also like to suggest to you that all of your symptoms - with the exception of low immune function - sound very much like ADD. It would be worth your while to investigate it and see if it fits. By definition, the symptoms of ADD must be present by age 7 but many people don't realize what the problem is and seek help until MUCH later. You needn't quote me to a doc because they won't agree but my personal belief is that anti-depressant use can cause ADD. It's certainly not the only cause (and isn't the cause in children), but I've seen many adults who complain about an inability to concentrate following ADs.

Something else you should know... Sleep apnea can and does cause ADD symptoms. So, either is a possibility or one could be causing the other. Or, it could be both.

So, consider a sleep study and read up on ADD. Good luck to you!

T4T3hell · 07-07-2008, 02:40 PM

I know exactly what you mean.

Thyroid, Adrenal and Pituitary disease can cause all of these:

*Today, my most prevalent symptoms are these: disorientation, brain fog, easily overwhelmed, fatigue, persistent infections, low immune function, most energetic in the evening, terrible time getting out of bed in the morning, sore throats, vomiting sensation when I exercise, social isolation, trouble concentrating, impaired vision, trouble speaking, forgetting names

"The Everything Health Guide to Thyroid Disease" by Dr. Theodore Friedman is a good reference book.

I live in Idaho and see a doctor in L.A. He has helped me faster and cheaper than any other doctor I've seen.

Good luck---keep us posted.

index.html · 07-08-2008, 02:39 AM

T4T3hell (clever name, BTW), made a very good point. Thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary disorders can cause almost all of your symptoms. I assumed that you had been thoroughly tested for those, but perhaps not.