Sleep Apnea

[Guest]

I started experiencing fatigue about 8 years ago so I went to my doctor and told him about my complaint and found out through a blood draw I had a hyperthyroid so I thought this was the cause of my fatigue, after trying to treat it with medicine that tore up my stomach I opted to have the radioactive iodine treatment to stop my thyroid from functioning now I am hypothyroid and currntly take a sythetic hormone replacement pill. Shortly after I developed fibromyalgia .Still fighting to stay awake even though my thyroid problems are under control. Through the years seeing various doctors complaining of the fatigue and now depression lack of concentration and memory problem and unable to think of words that I need to say.It was dissmissed as being part of my thyroid disease and fibromyalgia. After seeing yet another doctor telling him about my fatigue and symptoms. He suggested that I may have sleep apnea.I changed doctors and I mentioned my symptons to her and told of my previous doctor's suggestion and she had me go to a neurologist to get evaluated .I had just about all the tell tale signs of a sleep disorder. I went through the sleep study and I have obstructive sleep apnea.Now I have been using a cpap machine for about 4 months the presure was increased from 6 to 8 and have no signs of improvement if anything I'm worse, neck pain and headaches if anyone has experienced what I'm going through please write in and share your experience with me.

[Trish]

Hi, I have been going thru something kind of like what you are talking about. Have you been to a Rhumatologist and had a good work up. It sounds like you have an autoimmune disease, possibly Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or something in the Lupus family. Have you had your Vitamin D and B-12 checked..I was depleted on D and I went to sleep if I sat down. I also have thyroid problems,Hashimoto Disease..Good Luck!!! Trish

[Gotrem]

I was amazed at the similarities I share with your story. I was alittle concerned when I noticed you posted that back in 2003, wondering if you would still be checking in. This is my first ever forum and the my first posting. It is you that seems share my symptoms, with the exception of the thyroid problems. I am 43yrs. old and am not overweight. I have been diagnosed with OSA for about 6 yrs., fibro. for about 3yrs., depression about 10yrs.. However, all things were quite stable, manageable, until about 18months ago. I began falling asleep at work, couldn't wake up on-time, becoming unproductive in my work and off-work hours. I now have been on a medical leave for almost 12mo. with an additional diagnosis of Idiopathic hypersomulance. I am unable to drive safely unless I take a dose of Ritilan and then it's still not a sure thing. Drugging me awake is not the answer. I have four kids all 11-13yrs. old and they need me. I sleep 15-24 hours in a stretch. I wake up for a few hours then back into bed I go...clearly my depression has worsened and I continue to see my psychiatrist regularly. But my mind is going! You mentioned not being able to think of words that you know you knew...I too am unable to string together ideas or process information fast enough to not forget what I was trying to string together.
I am now considered C-pap incapable...and my pressure was b/w 13-16 on an auto-titrating machine. They acually capped it at 16 because I think it would have just blasted right off my face otherwise. So now, I am starting a new 'oral appliance', my second one. But I am still not convinced this is all about a sleep disorder.
If you are still around, PLEASE let me know how things are for you. Maybe I could save a few of brain-cells from popping due to REM-deprevation or at least avoid slipping into full-blown hybrenation(sp)!
There is more, but I am going to Post something in hopes of getting additional responses to some of these symptoms.
Anyone else who can relate...please let me know.