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Old 03-06-2012, 09:19 AM
 
1,259 posts, read 2,253,189 times
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I am wondering if I may possibly have a sleep disorder.

Everynight I wake up multiple times throughout the night and it's always like a jolt that wakes me up. It happens 2 to 3 times a night and then I go through periods of time where it doesn't happen at all. I've been feeling very fatigued lately.

I have an appt with a sleep specialist at the end of the month but am wondering if this is in fact a sleep condition or something else.
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Old 03-06-2012, 10:06 AM
 
Location: Mostly in my head
19,855 posts, read 65,677,629 times
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A hallmark of obstructive sleep apnea is twitching and awakening in the night, multiple times. It's your brain telling you to wake up and breathe. I used to dream I had stumbled or was falling somehow. I have been wearing a CPAP for 8 yrs and no more problems. I must have had it most of my life as I never knew I could wake up feeling refreshed and not need a coke or coffee to get me going!

According to my pulmonologist, about 80% of suffers can be cured by losing weight. About 20% have structural abnormalities that can't be cured. He said a short, thick neck in proportion to the rest of your body was indicative of the 20%. Babies can be boen needing a CPAP. I used to work in a hospital and we had a number of patients who were observed not breathing at times and they had never even suspected they had the condition.
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Old 03-06-2012, 04:32 PM
 
Location: Tampa
1,246 posts, read 4,643,129 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah View Post
A hallmark of obstructive sleep apnea is twitching and awakening in the night, multiple times. It's your brain telling you to wake up and breathe. I used to dream I had stumbled or was falling somehow. I have been wearing a CPAP for 8 yrs and no more problems. I must have had it most of my life as I never knew I could wake up feeling refreshed and not need a coke or coffee to get me going!

According to my pulmonologist, about 80% of suffers can be cured by losing weight. About 20% have structural abnormalities that can't be cured. He said a short, thick neck in proportion to the rest of your body was indicative of the 20%. Babies can be boen needing a CPAP. I used to work in a hospital and we had a number of patients who were observed not breathing at times and they had never even suspected they had the condition.
Exactly what I was thinking. You wake up in a jolt because you are probably waking up gasping for air. The fatigue is due to constantly waking up, or stirring yourself awake after a "spell". Sleep apnea can cause heart problems. Once you are on a machine, you will no longer cause any more damage to the heart.

Definitely get to a pulmonologist. They will schedule a sleep study. You stay most of the night. If you are having sleep apnea episodes, they may put you on a machine to see if you sleep better.
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Old 03-06-2012, 04:33 PM
 
35,095 posts, read 51,073,507 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Missingatlanta View Post
I am wondering if I may possibly have a sleep disorder.

Everynight I wake up multiple times throughout the night and it's always like a jolt that wakes me up. It happens 2 to 3 times a night and then I go through periods of time where it doesn't happen at all. I've been feeling very fatigued lately.

I have an appt with a sleep specialist at the end of the month but am wondering if this is in fact a sleep condition or something else.
Get a medical exam as well, there could be an underlying medical issue that you are unaware of. I hope it all works out for the best.
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Old 03-06-2012, 05:24 PM
 
Location: Boonies
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I was just diagnosed with moderate-severe sleep apnea. Now just waiting for my CPAP. I'm totally exhausted most of the time! Does sleep apnea cause any other physical ailments such as feeling a little achy at times? I also have a sore throat now and then which I am wondering if that is from the snoring.
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Old 03-06-2012, 08:18 PM
 
Location: Mostly in my head
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If your mouth is open long enough, it could cause your throat to dry out and get raspy. The main concerns are heart problems and strokes if not treated.
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Old 03-07-2012, 02:38 AM
 
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Ditto on sleep apnea. Sounds like a classic case of night terrors. Try sleeping on your side, or sleeping in a chair (a recliner perhaps tilted back no more than 45 degrees) and see if symptoms persist.

I've been getting my weight down (I was about 20lbs. overweight due to depression) and reverted to sleeping on my side -- no more waking up frightened, no more mouth of concrete, and no more bathroom trips.

And those of you using CPAP, have you tried the procedure that uses electrical current to remove the excess flesh at the back of your throat?
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Old 03-07-2012, 09:28 AM
 
Location: Grosse Ile Michigan
30,707 posts, read 79,524,394 times
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"Sleep[ Specialist" will tell you that you have sleep apnia, or they may tell you that you do nto have it, but you will still benefit from having your insurance pay $1000 or so for one of those machines. You will try the machine for a few days, or maybe even a month or a year and if you are like 99% of the people I know, you will stop using it becuase it keeps you awake and does no good. Of the people I know who wwent for a sleep study 100% of them were told that they need the machine. I have had two sleep studies. Both times I was told that I ahve either very mild or no sleep apnia, but i should buy one of those machines anyway. I borrowed my brothers since he stopped using it after a cuople of months. It kept me awake all night.

The more I talk to people the more i am convinced that 90% of the sleep study sleep problem industry is a scam.

What I found is that the best things you can do:

1. Cut out caffeine

2. Exercise regularly. CV exercise at elast 3x a week.

Last edited by Coldjensens; 03-07-2012 at 10:25 AM..
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Old 03-07-2012, 10:03 AM
 
Location: Mostly in my head
19,855 posts, read 65,677,629 times
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It is not a scam. You failed to consider that no one is referred for a study without first having strong symptoms of apnea. It is a real disorder and affects millions of people. Some do have trouble adjusting to using the mask but by the end of the first week, most are used to it. Being an off-and-on user doesn't allow you to adapt.

There are literally over 50 different types of masks, from a simple thing that looks like the oxygen mask you get in a hospital to the more complicated ones. You need to try several styles at the provider to see which one you like best. Also, you can look online for something that looks comfortable.
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Old 03-07-2012, 07:08 PM
 
Location: Boonies
2,421 posts, read 3,549,645 times
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SouthernBelle, how long before you see results from using the CPAP? I feel so miserable most of the time and cannot wait to give it a good try.
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