I was in agony yesterday. Bad headache. The last time it happened was nearly a year ago. Much like a hangover, except I don't drink. I'm healthy. I even race bicycles. But over the last few years, I've started getting what I think is the result of sleep apnea. How could a sleep test detect something so infrequent?

Even though I have about half of the symptoms listed, I have to wonder just how many sleep tests I'd have to take before they were conclusive.

I'd like to find a way to try and narrow down the diagnosis before going for sleep studies, but it seems the forums are unwilling to do much of that sort of thing.

Gregg wrote:

I was in agony yesterday. Bad headache. The last time it happened was nearly a year ago. Much like a hangover, except I don't drink. I'm healthy. I even race bicycles. But over the last few years, I've started getting what I think is the result of sleep apnea. How could a sleep test detect something so infrequent?

Even though I have about half of the symptoms listed, I have to wonder just how many sleep tests I'd have to take before they were conclusive.

I'd like to find a way to try and narrow down the diagnosis before going for sleep studies, but it seems the forums are unwilling to do much of that sort of thing.

Hi Gregg,

Which of the symptoms to you think you have?  
Also, have you consulted a doctor?  You might consult a pulmonary doctor, one perhaps connected with a sleep study lab, or at least one who frequently works with people with sleep apnea.   They can put a device on you that tells them your level of oxygen in your body.  Also, a doctor who specializes in this has heard many of the symptoms before and often has a good idea if you have enough of the symptoms to warrant a sleep study.

During a sleep study either you have sleep apnea or you don't.  But you have to sleep enough during the test to get proper results.  It's a polysomography test which tests for so many body and sleep functions.  It will tell you how many sleep apneas you experience during your sleep and what kind they are.    The second part of the study (sometimes done on a second night, or sometimes done the same night), where they test you the same way but with the cpap treatment.  The graphs show exactly how the apneas are reduced and eliminated with proper cpap therapy.

They can do a modified home sleep study, but that is not recommended as a substitute for a full sleep study.  It is good as an interim test for those in much worse physical shape who should be rushed to therapy.  

I would say that if you are directed to have a sleep study, it ought to be a certified sleep study center, which are usually associated with a hospital.  You can find a list of those in the FAQ section of this forum.  Keep in mind, many good ones associated with hospitals are not certified.  So if an accredited sleep study lab is not near you, another one which is associated with a hospital might do just as well.  It should be the full polysomography study.  It's rare for there to be a mistake in the sleep study.  Some repeat studies are ordered for years later if the person had changed considerably in weight or in other areas that might affect their apnea.  Even if a sleep study were to find you don't have apnea, it can help your doctor narrow the focus on determining the cause of your symptoms.  Almost every time a doctor refers someone to a sleep study, they are determined to have sleep apnea.  The test determines the severity and the course of treatment.

Remember, you needn't fit the stereotype to have sleep apnea.  Let's hope you don't have sleep apnea.  If you have a few of the symptoms, it may well be worth the testing.  Untreated sleep apnea can be life changing and life threatening.  


Keep us posted!


Linda

Linda,
Thanks.
You have provided me with a very helpful answer regarding the sleep test. I guess it's time to take the plunge and go forward.
I snore, cease breathing, lack energy, have sweated while sleeping several times (but did not get ill on those days), get headaches that crescendo from about 10am until late afternoon (very strong), wake up once or twice every night, low sex drive, depression, dry mouth, at least half an hour to fall asleep, have gross dreams the night of my headaches. I can guarantee I have some form of moderate apnea. It's days like today when I am completely refreshed that contrast the majority of days where I feel just slightly less than vibrant. And when I first discovered these, I thought it was carbon monoxide poisoning. I thought it was a hundred things including food poisoning. I've been chasing this for ten years. At least now I might be narrowing in on it.


OK, I'm off to the doctor's to see if they can refer me to the sleep clinic. We have a certified one here, in the event I need it. Thanks again for your help.

Anonymous wrote:

Linda,
Thanks.
You have provided me with a very helpful answer regarding the sleep test. I guess it's time to take the plunge and go forward.
I snore, cease breathing, lack energy, have sweated while sleeping several times (but did not get ill on those days), get headaches that crescendo from about 10am until late afternoon (very strong), wake up once or twice every night, low sex drive, depression, dry mouth, at least half an hour to fall asleep, have gross dreams the night of my headaches. I can guarantee I have some form of moderate apnea. It's days like today when I am completely refreshed that contrast the majority of days where I feel just slightly less than vibrant. And when I first discovered these, I thought it was carbon monoxide poisoning. I thought it was a hundred things including food poisoning. I've been chasing this for ten years. At least now I might be narrowing in on it.


OK, I'm off to the doctor's to see if they can refer me to the sleep clinic. We have a certified one here, in the event I need it. Thanks again for your help.

Wow, you've got more of the symptoms than I expected!
How is your sleeping pattern?  Do you sleep in the same position most of the time?
Just wondering.  Sleep apnea is worse while sleeping on your back.  If you change off positions, maybe some nights are better than others.

Suggestion, you might mention to your doctor about how your symptoms vary from time to time.
That might give them something to look for.  It may be that if you do have sleep apnea, there's a chance you might benefit from an auto cpap, which can vary treatment pressures if your severity of apneas vary from time to time for whatever reason.  Straight cpap gives one prescribed pressure and that is based on the results of one night of sleep study.  So you might want to mention this to your doctor.  Ask him about the auto cpap (after you've been tested and if you do have sleep apnea).

Oh, you might consider registering here as a member.  You needn't, and you can post comments as a guest at any time.  But there are some nifty extra features for members that might be useful to you.  Registering is free, easy and safe.  But if not, feel free to get back with us and tell us how it goes.


Linda

I have slept on my back all of my life. I have started sleeping on my stomach, which really isn't how I prefer to be, and I can't really comment. I may or may not have rolled over onto my back the other night. Which may or may not have caused my ill day.
In fact, I seem to get a prodrome the night before. This is why I thought these were nothing more than migraines. Sometimes the night before as I'm going to bed, I feel a very slight something. I'm not even sure what. I may be wrong.

Well, I called the general practitioner today. I'll have a physical in a couple of weeks. The sleep lab is certified. I'm just going to do the whole battery of tests. Hell, I turn fifty in January. I haven't been to a doctor in thirty years. Might as well find out my blood type and all of the rest.

I didn't mention that from 1989 up until very recently, I was very fatigued at night. I couldn't stay up past 8pm for many years. Only the last year have I begun to come back to life. It's quite sad. I lost a lot of years. Funny how that "little" tidbit escaped my attention. So there's no doubt I need someone to fully check me out.

Thanks again.

Anonymous wrote:

   Well, I called the general practitioner today. I'll have a physical in a couple of weeks. The sleep lab is certified. I'm just going to do the whole battery of tests. Hell, I turn fifty in January. I haven't been to a doctor in thirty years. Might as well find out my blood type and all of the rest.

I didn't mention that from 1989 up until very recently, I was very fatigued at night. I couldn't stay up past 8pm for many years. Only the last year have I begun to come back to life. It's quite sad. I lost a lot of years. Funny how that "little" tidbit escaped my attention. So there's no doubt I need someone to fully check me out.

Thanks again.

Hi Gregg (It is Gregg, right?),

It's good you're going to get yourself checked out.  Maybe by your birthday, you'll feel more secure by understanding your health better, who knows.
Then you can forget about it and find good reasons to celebrate your birthday.   How about a nice exciting celebration?

Don't let the lost years get to you.  It will only drive you crazy.  Think of this as a time to pamper yourself, to be easy on yourself, to remember who you are and what you're all about.    I turned that dreaded number just this past month.  See?  You're younger, you youngster you!   Keep us posted!

L.

Wow, I'm no doctor, but I would prescribe a sleep study. :)

Morning headaches are just one symptom of sleep apnea, and not everyone gets them (I never did, but after a sleep study was diagnosed with severe apnea).  I believe I read they can be due to low oxygen.   Perhaps you have sleep apnea, but only occassionally have a REALLY bad night where your oxygen desats get super-low, and you get the bad headache the next day (and maybe the dreams are related to the low oxygen).  Just making wild guesses here.

Definitely get thyself to a doctor!


_________________
--Frank (FJC)

Thanks again for the replies.

I agree with FJC. As a really healthy person, I never would have suspected anything. But I cannot deny something is happening.

Last night the stinking idiots in their logging trucks woke me at 4am. I felt like I had had a good nights sleep. But  it was too early, so I went back to sleep. But when I woke up an hour later, it was like having a clogged head. I don't know how to describe it. Slight headache. And I was not sleeping on my back.

I'm not sure if this post was even neccisary. It's just that there is something wrong. And it appears to be sleep apnea. And it really does feel like a low oxygen content. But that's just a blind guess.

When I had property where there was no noise, I slept very well. I did not have a single headache during the two years I stayed there. But ever since, there has been car noise. My property is up for sale. I'm out of here as fast as possible. I need my own private space again. Hard to find in a modern car crazed society. But I will find it. Even so, I will be getting help from a physician.

Again, thanks for the support. We all need it.

Gregg