Sleep apnea

[Gemmaoxo]

Seen a post earlier about this, thought I’d make my own because mines a little different. For anyone with this what is/was your symptoms please? I have a doctors apt on the 17th as he thinks I may have it. I’ve cried and cried about how tired I am how it’s taking over my life how I can sleep where ever and when ever I need to. I fall asleep in work, whilst parked in the car. It’s not normal and my life is slowly being ruined by this. Anyone got anything they can share with me please?

Thanks.

[Amber655]

Copied this from Mayo, might be worth mentioning this to your doctor. I hope you get some help. ‘Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. People with narcolepsy often find it difficult to stay awake for long periods of time, regardless of the circumstances. Narcolepsy can cause serious disruptions in your daily routine.’

[Cat00 in reply to Amber655]

My friend has Narcolepsy and his experience isn't like the mayo clinics description. With his narcolepsy he passes out when he is stressed or exhilarated. So he'll often pass out if someone tells a joke he finds funny or he's having a stressful discussion at work, or he pushes it in the gym etc he doesn't feel sleepy particularly he just looses consciousness.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea a few years back , doctor got me a referral to the sleep clinic at our local hospital, I now have too wear a face mask to keep my airways open and I settled quite well after about what/3weeks, I also got a diagnosis for CFS (so I’ve the treble of fibro /cfs/treated sleep apnea, it’s getting to the route of what’s causing the chronic fatigue ,glad you have appointment on the 17th, push to get seen and maybe a separate appointment for CFS clinic, the conditions due overlap but I was more relieved when I got some answers,at least I could work with everything. Should you have sleep apnea wearing a device will give you better quality of living daily life, keep us updated x

[Gemmaoxo in reply to Yassytina]

Thanks for your reply. Do you only get given this mask if it shows obstruction in the airway or? I’m new to all this so haven’t a clue about any of it x

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Gemmaoxo]

As Rai -Iwa has said their are different reasons for sleep apnea, mine is because I have a small palate (I looked it up) some people who are very over weight and effects breathing, heavy smokers also can have it. Hope your doctor can move on referral fairly soon for you.

[Rai_Iwa]

Sleep apnoea is actually a number of conditions, I have neurological sleep apnoea.

Without my mask I get extremely tired and can fall asleep anywhere with little effort. In my case it is believed that the drugs I have to take for my FM & CFS (plus other co-morbidities) have such a large CNS depressive effect that at night my breathing is irregular. I use a BIPAP machine for this condition, but I had to try numerous different settings and machines to get the desired effect.

The other form of Sleep Apnoea that I am aware of is where an obstruction in your airways is making full sleep difficult. Again their are CPAP machines that will greatly increase your quality of life.

James

[Gemmaoxo in reply to Rai_Iwa]

Thanks for you Reply. How do u get diagnosed with this?

[Rai_Iwa]

Sleep apnoea is usually diagnosed by an ENT consultant and their nursing team.

Your GP can arrange all this for you.

[Gemmaoxo]

Thanks for your help! The doctor did say the best thing probably is to get seen at a sleep clinic! I also have to make a sleep diary up until I see him.

[aoifectcp]

I was diagnosed after an overnight sleep study (took a small strap and box home overnight and wore while sleeping and it recorded my sleep patterns and breathing) Turned out it wasn't overly bad but as I was being affected so bad due to fibro they have me a sleep apnoea machine. To be honest I am an insomniac but when I do sleep the mask/machine although annoying does give me better sleep but I do still have that fibro exhaustion. It does help with the fibro fog that seems to be enhanced with the bad sleep that we all seem to affected with. From what you say it sounds more like narcolepsy than apnoea but I'm no doctor. As Amber655 states it would be worth discussing this with doctor. Please don't be scared as getting help for either is better than suffering alone. I wish you luck for your appointment.

[Gemmaoxo in reply to aoifectcp]

Thank you so much. I really do hope I get the help I need as it’s really affecting my life now. My poor kids, feel like they have lost their mother 😩