Ive been using a CPAP machine since march 1985 but my
diagnosis of sleep apnea took many years.
I also suffered from anxiety and depression and apparently my
doctors all thought that my fatigue and exhaustion came from
these.
despite seeing many doctors and naturapaths, none ever asked me
if I snored. My snoring was loud and legendary. everyone told me
that I really did know how to snore.

It seemed I had cronic fatigue disorder and I read much about this
and attended meetings. sadly sleep disorders were never once
mentioned as a possible cause and of course heavy snoring was
never once mentioned. I understand that now the cronic fatigue
people are aware of sleep disorders and sleep apnea.

I kept seeing stories on sleep apnea on the TV and became
interested in it, I tape recorded my sleep and their was much
snoring and wheezing but no long gaps of a minute or more, It
wasnt until much later that I learned that the apneas can happen on
almost every breath and long gaps with no breathing arent always
present. I also heard of a person diagnosed with apnea when she
happened to have a nap in a doctors office and her breathing and
snoring were noticed.

In order to get a referral to a sleep disorders clinic I did a bit of
fibbing to a GP. Thank goodness they took my problems seriously
and booked me for a sleep study, due to my lack of private
insurance, this took time. Because of my anxiety and insomnia I
dosed myself heavily with sleeping pills and was able to get enough
sleep and was diagnosed and prescribed a CPAP machine.

later sleep studies remained difficult and I took alcahol and sleeping
pills as I was sure I would lie there all night, wide awake otherwise.

The sleep doctor advised hiring a CPAP machine for 1 month but
the CPAP person said 3 months was better, It took me a full 3
months to get used to my CPAP machine, my cronic anxiety and
insomnia didnt help. I was winding the cord around my neck by
rolling in my sleep and taking the mask off during my sleep for a
while.
it eventually occurred to me that I was often breathing thru my
mouth when asleep so I taped my lips together which generally isnt
recommended . A chin splint didnt work for me.

I am still angry at the doctors who didnt diagnose my apnea, I have
never returned to them or told them about it. They are all said to be
good doctors too.

My fatigue is now long gone and I use the CPAP every night and
during the day when I have a nap, my pressure setting has gone
from 8 to 12 over the years. A $1200 new CPAP machine only
lasted 4 and a half years which was disapointing. I would like to see
some testing of these machines to see how well built they are and
how long they will likely last.

For some reason, the fatigue was worst during and after long
distance car driving, although this had never been a problem
earlier.
A 500 mile drive left me totally exhausted for several days.
Fortunately I have an inbuilt  panic alarm that stops me from falling
asleep at the wheel.When fatigued, if I pushed myself, I started to
shake, I was usually in much pain and discomfort and can
understand the term ‘bone weary’, as my bones did seem to be
aching. I usually woke in the morning feeling more tired that when I
went to bed and was sometimes so exhausted that I couldnt put
words together to make a conversation.

All this has now gone, I have recovered from the anxiety but the
depression remains, and I still have a slight lack of energy, probably
from the depression.
I can only hope that more doctors are learning about sleep
disorders, as I am annoyed at having to endure many years of
severe fatigue and then eventually having to diagnose myself.

Lynn,

Gosh, thank you for your story.  It is interesting, but also sad.  It's great that has mostly a good ending, but it's a bitter one, isn't it?
Time and time again I read how people wait so many years to be diagnosed, to understand what they have, and to be treated for it.
I bet  had you been treated earlier, you would have gotten relief earlier and maybe have eliminated your depression, but I'm only guessing.
It's true that this condition has only been known about over the past few decades, and treatment is evolving, perhaps improving.  
So at that earlier time it's understandable doctors did not know much about this condition.
But there are now no longer good excuses and the medical profession must be made to be alert for symptoms.  
The medical profession may improve over time as newer physicians enter the field and are better educated about the condition.
But I have my doubts about even that.  

Depression is a big part of untreated sleep apnea for many of us, was for me.  I described it as a brain fog.
Mine lifted after starting cpap.  I hope yours does.  If you want to talk about it more, please feel free to.  
Or if you want to talk about it but not in these forums, feel free to send a private message to anyone, including myself, if you would like.
I've noticed you responding to many of the comments and questions here, helping out nicely and often.  I only hope we can help you.
People on these discussion boards have helped me immensely since I started treatment for this thing.  They've made dealing with this so much easier.

Thanks again.


Linda

Ditto from me too Lynn.  You can read my story at the ASAA home site, so I've been in a lot of the same places as you.  As a anxiety and depressed ridden person, I can relate to that aspect also.  It may sound funny, but OSA has made me a stronger person and a better self advocate.  However, it is a continuing, never ending process.

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.