Hello, new here

hello

I’m new to this but only just called GP who’s referred me to a sleep clinic.

My blood oxygen per my Apple Watch (subject to how accurate these are) has been dropping below 82% and low as 74% over last six months (well since got the Watch) whilst asleep. Levels ok daily.

Don’t sleep well (haven’t for years), I’m asthmatic and overweight and apparently snore a far bit. Wake up exhausted with a headache and worse than when went to bed I think.

I know I have to lose weight, also heart conditions that affect blood flow can cause low blood oxygen too? I have a congenital heart defect that’s a “rare” cause of angina, no meds to help and surgery unlikely. I get angina symptoms pretty much on moving from sitting. I’m tired all the time.

As I’m not presuming I have sleep apnea (although the GP was pretty quick to say will refer 😟) or that I’ll need anything, I still hope to learn as much as I can from this community.

so just wanted to introduce myself and say hello. 😊

[Patrickk]

You seem to have classic symptoms of sleep apnea -- can't imagine why you would avoid the sleep study. If you are positive you will wake after the 4-5 hour study feeling refreshed like you haven't in years.

Another help might be taking one of the semaglutide versions to lose weight -- give you heart less body to pump to. $1000 a month -- but you only need it for a few months; not forever like the people who take it for Type 2 diabetes.

[Hidden in reply to Patrickk]

Hello and thank you for replying, oh will definitely go for the sleep study, I can’t remember when last slept well. So if is an issue then I hope I get help.

I’ll start with cutting out the junk and changing to healthier food options, that drug was on the news here in UK today interestingly. But I’ll have to take the cheaper route. Though I can’t exercise due to the angina so guess will take me longer.

[mombasa74]

So sorry to read about your multiple health issues.

Good sleep is very important for well being. I went through a phase where I found difficult to sleep but the doctor would not prescribe sleeping tablets. Instead he prescribed Amitriptyline 10mg, just one a day.

This is anti- depression but it works and has absolutely no side effects and one can take this lowest dose for decades.

It relaxes you and you feel great, which in turn helps you sleep well.

Have a word with your GP.

Have a nice day.

[Hidden in reply to mombasa74]

Hello and thanks for that information. I was supposed to have a anxiolytics type anti depressant if main med worked for the angina but it didn’t so never got to that stage. It was supposed to work on nerves to make brain think I’m in less pain - please don’t quote I think that’s what the cardiologist explained, but definitely something to pursue. Kill to birds with one stone!