?sleep apnea

[Matilda_1922]

I went to my gp recently due to my tiredness has done some blood tests not received the result.

We also discussed me snoring and I stop breathing during the night reported by family. They referred me to the sleep medicine clinic and there are no appointments at my local hospital. I’m going to mention it today with the respiratory respiratory at another hospital.

I’ve done the questionnaire and comes out at high risk.

I will also discuss it with my GP on Friday if respiratory specialist doesn’t do anything. I don’t care which hospital I attend as easily accessible to both.

What do people think I know as a nurse the consequences of no treatment. I was told to keep calling the service. But every time I call no appointments available.

I want to to bottom of my fatigue. I have given up work although not yet 60. For me retirement age is 66 born in 1960.

As I have worked for the NHS for 40 years both full and part time I have a reasonable pension with a good lump sum which I have invested in several places.

I also take amitritylline but recently reduced as taking due to work stress and lack of sleep. The fatigue hasn’t reduced though

[Mmrr]

Matilda_1922, it saddens me how many of us have to keep bashing away at folks who are meant to be helping us to get taken seriously. Keep going with your concerns until you are listened too.

I was successful with my application for medical retirement almost a year ago. I worked in the public sector too and found the process to be ok.

Retirement was the best thing I've done, it certainly reduced my stress and to be honest I manage on less money without any effort at all. You will most probably save money on not needing working clothes, transport costs, tea/coffee at work and so on. I'm also one of the WASPI women who have been denied their state pension, not now being paid until I'm 66.

[Matilda_1922 in reply to Mmrr]

Seen respiratory specialist and is going to refer me to their sleep medicine clinic

[Biofreak]

Hi Matilda. I have sleep apnoea. Iwas diagnosed after being referred to the cardio respiratoy dept where they gave me a monitor to attach to myself during the night to monitor my oxygen levels as i slept. This revealed that i stpped breathing about 40 times during one night. This confirmed sleep apnoea and I was given a cpap machine. I have to use this every night to stop me snoring and keep me breathing. This problem was the main cause of my fatigue and once treatment was started I felt so much more awake and in the real world. Please go back to your gp and demand he refers you to somewhere you CAN get the treatment you so desperately need.

[Matilda_1922 in reply to Biofreak]

The respiratory specialist is going to arrange an appointment with their hospital. Good thing I am under both hospitals for different reasons

[popsmith1874]

Hi Matilda it's very annoying banging your head against the wall trying to get help and there is nothing worse than not getting enough sleep and also having extreme fatigue it's like walking through treacle, I had to phone the helpline at my hospital this morning as my hands are really swollen and sore and my right hand I can hardly use as the swelling is running down my index finger, I retired 4years ago medically from local authority at 52 and it's the best thing I could've done as I struggled on for a year and was just making my RA worse. I go to the gym and swim most days and body conditioning 2 a week and it's really helped my RA apart from my hands as I'll need injections into the joints as I've had before and hopefully they'll settle down when someone gets back to me xxx

[Matilda_1922]

I was considering contacting PALS if no appointment but respiratory consultant is going to arrange an appointment

[keeta]

Hi lovely .yes its another auto immune problem.

I.ve had a machine next to my bed for three years after being fiagnosed.

But this year my OA has been so bad .so i haven.t slept .so couldn.t keep using it because of pain .

But when i.m pain free it really helps.

Very important to use it if you can .it really helps .xx

[Theblade]

Hi, My fatigue was put down to Sotalol but i wasn't convinced so along with other symptoms like waking up 4/5 times a night I posted on this site and someone suggested I might have Sleep Apnea. I went to the GP did the test and was then referred to the sleep clinic , after an overnight test it transpired I was having 68 episodes an hour, I was put on CPAP and after a month I felt like a new man, my episodes now average 5 which is an acceptable level. I walk far more now than before and feel so much better. Push for your appointment, if you haven't heard, as they often get cancellations. Good Luck.