Sleep issues are not always due to Fibro alone....

[whyshaw]

I have had Fibro for at least 26 years maybe longer.4 years ago I suffered terrible with sleep problems. Nightmares, sleepwalking, falling asleep whenever i sat down (including sitting on the loo, only waking up as i fell off and hit the floor. Even broke my nose), waking up with heart pumping and totally soaked. My fibro was totally unmanageable.

As i live alone, was only when staying with my daughter that she realised i had a real and potentially dangerous problem.

Was sent to sleep clinic and had to wear a monitor over night to record my sleep pattern. It turned out i was having 70 interruptions in sleep per hour, was gasping for every breath and had oxygen deprivation. Was diagnosed with SLEEP APNEA. I now sleep using a CPAP breathing machine. Not solved all my problems but has eased them.

If you have sleep issues might not only be because of Fibro...

[Dixiesdaughter]

Hi whyshaw

Thanx for the reminder that not every symptom we have is fibro related. Im sure like many on here I tend to attribute every weird and wonderful symptom to this horrid condition forgetting that there are a whole range of medical conditions to which any of us is suseptable. Ive been having unbearably sore pains in my neck for the past few weeks didnt bother to see the dr as i thought its only my fibro finally I was driven to make an appointment due to the unrelenting pain I was given a telling off from my gp for not comming to see her sooner was snt to A&E immediately for xrays and they are querying several possible diagnoses including arthritis and crumbling vertebrae!!!

so I think your advice is wise and I urge everyone to contact their gp in relation to new symptoms and dont assume its fibro cuz you could be putting your health at risk

Dixie xx

[fibro]

I think everyone should be given the chance to have a sleep study as I only went to see the doct as oh said my snoring was getting worse but what he didn't know as whilst listening to me snoring he thought peace whitest i had stopped for a while only to discover I have server obstructive sleep apnoea, stopping breathing 62 times per hour for more than 10 second intervals. there is no cure, but by using a CPAP machine the problem can be eliminated. the secret is t using then correct fitting mask, not too tight and a very understanding specialist. I am very lucky as he would allow me to change the masks all the time, even only after a few days testing them . when they fit in clinic, they feel different when laying down at home.

I wouldn't wish t in my worse enemy, but it's something I have for life, something else with no cure, but it's a meter of keep at it or risk other health risks like heart disease, uncontrollable high blood pressure, diabetes or stroke. originally I didn't want the treatment, but went away and researched it. it didn't take LNG. I googles, how serious is obstructive sleep apnoea, one answer was... how serious is stopping breathing whilst yo sleep! I think that said it all.

unfortunately even losing weight wouldn't help me as I have a recessed jaw and large tongue, but being overweight can make the condition worse. but having a good sleep clinic i that provide regular check ups, is also the key! my consultant has just recently opened a Harley street clinic, so we are lucky to have him here.

it's very easy to slip back into not using it, so f you van make sure you use it all the time and if you aren't comfortable with it, get back in touch with the clinic who fitted you rather than just stopping using it.

many LNG distance lorry drivers have been using them with great effect, But sadly i haven't even after nearly a year if use,found any difference in it helping my daytime tiredness or fatigue, but it certainly does work for some.

good luck xx

[Glenys]

Last year one of my GPs at my surgery suggested this to me, and I said I would think about it, and see if hubby could enlighten me as to whether he noticed if I was waking in typical apnea style.

However, whenever I am constantly finding myself awake, he is either spark out or spluttering himself awake, and is never aware of how much I am actually waking myself. I guess I should go back to her and discuss this again.....