Hi I am 44 years old.  I have always been tired for as long as I can remember.  Everyone has commented on my lack of energy - in my high school yearbook they put "Dreamer" for my song and "Don't follow me I'm lost" for my quote. But for the most part I have coped.  I graduated from college with my Executive Secretarial Science Diploma and later got my Bachelor of Social Work.  I have had two children (going through University) and have been married for 24 years. For the last 15 years I have had jobs that allowed me to set my own hours and to do my paperwork at home. So I have always taken naps when I felt tired. However, starting in about February this year I began to feel more TIRED than ever and my coping strategies were no longer working.  I felt exhausted every day. I couldn't think! I was getting headaches every day, all day.  When I got up in the morning I felt like someone had hit me over the head with a baseball bat. I would constantly feel DIZZY. my muscles ached and I felt exhausted after I exercised (nothing strenuous, just a walk with the dog). My doctor thought I was anxious/depressed and suffering from fybromyalgia, so he put me on Effexor and Amitriptyline (sp?).  I took myself off the A after I went away for a weekend and forgot to bring it and felt better.  A few weeks ago I came across a web site on Narcolepsy and I have all the symptoms except Cataplexy (although I'm not completely sure about this either).  I told my doctor my thoughts and he put me on Modafinil and referred me to a neurologist who specializes in sleep. I've decreased my Effexor to the lowest dose possibe (what a dreadful experience), and this has helped. The Modafinil has helped some, but I am still very tired most days. I still have headaches, but they are less severe and I feel somewhat less foggy.

Most of my reading about N states that the symptoms generally do not get much worse over time at least not as quickly or severly as mine have over the last eight months. So I looked into Sleep Apnea. I'm not overweight or male and my husband says I don't snore much.  However, I have terrible problems with my sinuses (my doctor has referred me to an Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat doctor). I drive my husband crazy at night clearing my sinuses (snorting). I have sometimes woken up to hear myself make a small snorting noise.  I often have a dry mouth and sometimes wake up coughing because my throat is so dry. So my question is does anyone think I have enough symptoms to consider the possiblity of SA?  

I am desperate; I am considering scaling back the number of hours I work.  I had starting taking courses towards my master's degree last year, but if things continue as they are, there is no way this will happen. It feels sooooo good just to be able to write this down and feel there is someone out there listening. Thanks for being there.

Hi Foggy,

In my opinion, you have enough of the symptoms to warrant being tested for sleep apnea.  
It's a shame your doctors haven't insisted on being tested.  If you don't have sleep apnea, at least an extensive sleep study will rule it out and also test body and sleep functions which might help point to other causes.  But if you do have sleep apnea, then there is treatment that can change your life for the better.  Not everyone with sleep apnea fits the stereotype.  Time and again people come in here telling us how they have sleep apnea but they don't fit the classic stereotypes.  

Check out this link to our FAQ section about symptoms of sleep apnea.

click here for link

Increased exhaustion, headaches, muscle aches, some snoring or snorting, all are symptoms.  And people with sleep apnea can develop other conditions like high blood pressure and others, and depression.  In my opinion, it is irresponsible for doctors to treat you with drugs without first testing you for all possible causes.  Find a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders, perhaps a pulminory doctor, and get a detailed sleep study done.  You owe it to yourself to find out.

You might consider registering here to be a member.  It's easy, free and safe.  There are some extra helpful features available to members.

Good luck.  Keep in touch.


Linda

Thanks for your thoughts.  I am seeing my doctor on Tuesday and will let you know how it goes.  Having this forum is great.  I only became aware of them since the beginning of September.  Having a large group of knowledgeable people who have been there, done that is truly a great resource!  Thanks for your support.  Foggy

Hi Foggy,

You can also take a quick test to find out your "snore score" (in the lnks to the left of the forum titles) to see how well you fit a sleep apnea diagnosis.  For any sleep disorder, an over night study is the best diagnostic tool.  Whatever your sleep issues, see a doctor who is a diplomate of the ABSM.  See my doc/labs. certifications link in the "Interesting Links" section to understand what this means.

Vicki


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