for the past 2 weeks i've had various sleeping disturbances; i wake up several times at night, have excessive dreams and on a few ocassions even felt a "chocking sensation".. also wake up in the morning with massive headaches and disorientation. these sympotms are very recent and sudden and have affected my life quite drastically. i've been feeling a general sense of malaise (illness) and depression, so i went on the internet and matched my symptoms with sleep apnea.

i know self-diagnosis isn't the best idea but could it be possible that im suffering from this condition?

im 22, male and a smoker (normal weight).

thanks.

i also wanted to add that i have a history of insomnia and at times my heart would race for no particular reason. oh and im a hypochondriac too.  

puppetmaster696 wrote:

for the past 2 weeks i've had various sleeping disturbances; i wake up several times at night, have excessive dreams and on a few ocassions even felt a "chocking sensation".. also wake up in the morning with massive headaches and disorientation. these sympotms are very recent and sudden and have affected my life quite drastically. i've been feeling a general sense of malaise (illness) and depression, so i went on the internet and matched my symptoms with sleep apnea.

i know self-diagnosis isn't the best idea but could it be possible that im suffering from this condition?

im 22, male and a smoker (normal weight).

thanks.

Hi puppetmaster!

Interesting username!
It sure sounds like you've got many of the symptoms of sleep apnea.  You don't fit the stereotype (with age and weight), but you don't have to, people of all ages and conditions can have sleep apnea.  Choking sensations, headaches are sure symptoms.  You didn't mention daytime exhaustion, but most have that.  I sure did.  The symptoms can get worse.  The year before I was diagnosed was awful!  You mentioned racing heart.  At night I would awake several times, and each time I could feel my heart racing.  I couldn't understand that, since I knew that the heart rests some during nightime sleep.  It didn't make sense why my heart was racing.  But then, at the time I didn't know anything about sleep apnea.  Lack of oxygen from the cessation of breathing creates a real strain on the heart, especially at night during sleep when the heart is trying to work with the brain and jumpstart your breathing.  The  heart is working overtime, and in time that can lead to serious heart problems.  

Many people with untreated sleep apnea have depression, in part because the exhaustion and the disruptions in life feel like they're your fault, you blame yourself, or I did.  I gradually lost all desire in most things in life, even all the things I loved to do.  It simply made no sense.  But I figured the exhaustion was due to other health factors, I had no idea there was a thing called sleep apnea.  And often doctors will treat the symptoms and not recognize that it's all due to sleep apnea.

It sounds like you should consult a physician about this and likely get tested.  Do it soon.  Even if you don't have sleep apnea, the tests can help point to other causes.  And if you do have sleep apnea, you can do something about it.  It may seem bad, having this at age 22, but if you do have it, you are lucky.  So many get diagnosed after years, often decades, of unrecognized symptoms.  Older adults just being diagnosed regret the lost years when they could have been treated and lead a better more normal life.  

So I urge you to find out, to get tested.  

Keep in touch, let us know how things go.


Linda

oh im always tired, even when i sleep a good 10 hours im still exhausted.

thanks for the feedback.

the only thing is i don't know what kind of doctor to consult and how to approach them, and i don't want to bring sleep apnea myself because i don't want to be accused of hypochondria and hear the usual "it's all in your head" speech.

Anonymous wrote:

the only thing is i don't know what kind of doctor to consult and how to approach them, and i don't want to bring sleep apnea myself because i don't want to be accused of hypochondria and hear the usual "it's all in your head" speech.

Get it through your head, it's NOT "all in your head."  

Hypochondriac or not, tests don't lie.  You can't fool a sleep study.
If you've got enough symptoms to be tested, then get tested.  
The worst that can happen (or best, actually) is to find out you don't have sleep apnea.  That's news we'd all love to hear.

I went to a pulmonary doctor, for they specialize in lungs and breathing disorders (and sleep apnea is a breathing disorder).
But there may be some regular physicians who are knowlegeable about sleep apnea.  Any phyician can refer you to a sleep lab for a sleep study.

If you're still not sure, locate a sleep study lab which are uaually associated with a hospital, call them and ask for a recommendation for a specialist in sleep apnea.  They know all the main ones.  Depending on your insurance, you may need to have your primary care physician prepare a referral form, but if you tell them which doctor you want to see, they will  do it.

Here is a link to a list of accredited sleep labs.  HOWEVER, many labs are not accredited and that does not mean they aren't any good.
Labs associated with a hospital are a good bet.  So if you don't find one listed near you, contact nearby hospitals and ask if they have a sleep lab.
Click here for link to list of sleep labs

Oh, you might consider registering here as a member.  You needn't register to post comments.  But there are some extra nifty features that might help you.  Also, as a member you can post to the other forum topics.  Registering is easy, free and safe.  But regardless, feel free to let us know how things go.  
There's nothing wrong in seeking out help.  You should.  Tests don't usually lie.  It's better to be tested and find out nothing's wrong then to never get tested and get sicker or worse.  

Good luck.


Linda