I've been saying for several years now that I'm tired of being tired.  My dad is certain that I have sleep apnea because of some of my symptoms: I'm sleepy almost all of the time; I snore; I sometimes wake up with a headache; I don't feel alert regardless of how much sleep I get.  I don't remember what it's like to wake up feeling energetic or refreshed, if I ever have.  I wake up groggy and feeling like I need more sleep, regardless of how long I've slept.  I doesn't matter what time I go to bed, I wake up feeling worse than when I went to bed.  I've gone to two different doctors about the constant fatigue.  The first, when I was seventeen or eighteen, said that "...sometimes we confuse fatigue with laziness."  My current family doctor is a bit more understanding, but I still am having a hard time figuring this out.  I know something is not right; I'm 21 and I should have lots of energy.  The first time I brought it up with my current doctor, she did some bloodwork, and it came back fine.   On many occasions I've tried to address the tiredness, but to no avail.  At one point she told me to get more regular exercise.  I did so, and started jogging for 30 minutes every day.  (By the way, I'm 21, slim, have low blood pressure and general good health)  The regular activity made no difference.  I was still very tired all the time.  At one of my maternity visits I brought the fatigue up, but at that pointed she chalked it up to pregnancy.  After the pregnancy, I brought it up again and mentioned that there was some family history of sleep apnea and I thought that might be the cause of my excessive drowsiness.  She said she wanted to look at other things first before looking at something as rare as sleep apnea.  She diagnosed me with postpartum depression after my first child and I don't even want to bring up fatigue now that I've just had my second; I'm scared she'll just decide to up my dose of antidepressants.  I'm thoroughly frustrated; I think that there's a possibility the underlying problem is actually sleep apnea, because it's not that I have a lack of desire or ambition.

What else can I do?  I am so tired.  I can't remember what it's like to feel energetic.  I'm scared to persist with my doctor for fear that she won't find anything.  I don't want the rest of my life to be in this constant frustrating state of fatigue.  I"m physically tired and I don't feel mentally alert.  I want to look after my health, but on the other hand I'm scared of getting sent home with a clean bill of health but no explanation for how I'm feeling.

First of all, you are not alone.  And despite what your doctor told you, sleep apnea is not rare.  Many people may be undiagnosed because of doctors not picking up on the symptoms, or refusing to listen to their patients, but the more I read, the more certain I am that many people need to be treated for this.  First of all, I would find another doctor; one who would listen to me.  Then tell them you believe you have sleep apnea and want a sleep study.  Demand it until you get it.  Your children need you to be alert when you take care of them and when you drive them around town.  You need to feel normal and not exhausted all the time so you can enjoy being a mom.  Good luck.[/u]


_________________
Ramona


Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you. - Denis Waitley

Ditto what Ramona said.  Dump this quack of a doctor now and find someone who will listen to you!!!!  You deserve to feel better.

I agree, find another doctor until you get answers.

Wendy

Bella wrote:

I've been saying for several years now that I'm tired of being tired.  My dad is certain that I have sleep apnea because of some of my symptoms: I'm sleepy almost all of the time; I snore; I sometimes wake up with a headache; I don't feel alert regardless of how much sleep I get.  I don't remember what it's like to wake up feeling energetic or refreshed, if I ever have.  I wake up groggy and feeling like I need more sleep, regardless of how long I've slept.  I doesn't matter what time I go to bed, I wake up feeling worse than when I went to bed.  I've gone to two different doctors about the constant fatigue.  The first, when I was seventeen or eighteen, said that "...sometimes we confuse fatigue with laziness."  My current family doctor is a bit more understanding, but I still am having a hard time figuring this out.  I know something is not right; I'm 21 and I should have lots of energy.  The first time I brought it up with my current doctor, she did some bloodwork, and it came back fine.   On many occasions I've tried to address the tiredness, but to no avail.  At one point she told me to get more regular exercise.  I did so, and started jogging for 30 minutes every day.  (By the way, I'm 21, slim, have low blood pressure and general good health)  The regular activity made no difference.  I was still very tired all the time.  At one of my maternity visits I brought the fatigue up, but at that pointed she chalked it up to pregnancy.  After the pregnancy, I brought it up again and mentioned that there was some family history of sleep apnea and I thought that might be the cause of my excessive drowsiness.  She said she wanted to look at other things first before looking at something as rare as sleep apnea.  She diagnosed me with postpartum depression after my first child and I don't even want to bring up fatigue now that I've just had my second; I'm scared she'll just decide to up my dose of antidepressants.  I'm thoroughly frustrated; I think that there's a possibility the underlying problem is actually sleep apnea, because it's not that I have a lack of desire or ambition.

What else can I do?  I am so tired.  I can't remember what it's like to feel energetic.  I'm scared to persist with my doctor for fear that she won't find anything.  I don't want the rest of my life to be in this constant frustrating state of fatigue.  I"m physically tired and I don't feel mentally alert.  I want to look after my health, but on the other hand I'm scared of getting sent home with a clean bill of health but no explanation for how I'm feeling.

Like all the other posts, you need a knowledgable doctor, who will refer you to the most suitable specialist.

Sleep Apnoea is far from rare. In the US, it is reckoned that there are as many as 18 million sufferers..........that is 4.5 times the population of Ireland. I know we are a small island, BUT......

Keep us posted,

Daniel


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

Bella,

I get so frustrated with the medical profession.  My story is very similar to yours and I went through several specialists and PCPs before I found one who took me seriously.  

My story is here at the ASAA home page:

Vicki's Story

Blood work won't show Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).  Your doc. might of been ruling out anemia or thyroid issues, but she should of kept at it until she discovered the source of your fatigue.  Sleep apnea is not rare.

Unfortunately, you still have to be a strong self-advocate with this disorder in order to get the treatment you need.

Keep posting with questions.

Vicki


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

Speaking of rareness of OSA.  All the sources I've seen suggest that there is only 2-4% of the adult popluation suffering from OSA.  I've always doubted this number, thinking that the actual number should be much higher.  It seems that this number will keep being used for awhile.

Vickie,
Great story!


_________________
mild6

Thanks Mild!!  Just like everyone else, I wish it wasn't mine to tell, but if I can help just one person...

Vicki


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

So, I saw the same doctor one last time for my postpartum checkup, and I explained that I'm still fatigued all the time.  (I figured since I was already there I'd give it one last shot with her).  She basically said that's to be expected with a newborn and an almost-two-year-old.  I tried to explain again, it's not just lack of sleep or busy life; I've been way too tired for way too long.  I understand that I should be tired with everything that's going on in my life, but I'm tired regardless of how long I've slept.  She sent me for bloodwork --the same bloodwork I've been sent for several times in the last few years.  I reminded her that I've already had those tests done, and she said that sometimes there are thyroid changes after pregnancy and childbirth.  

But this problem has been here for years.  I'm frustrated.  Very few doctors in my area are taking new patients, but I will try to find one.  I want to be able to get up and take my kids for a walk without feeling like I just came home from running a marathon.   I will persist!  

Bella - I wish you all the luck in the world.  If no doctors in your area are accepting new patients, then it's time to get insistent with this doctor and demand that she order a sleep study or at least refer you to a sleep doc or ENT (my ENT treats sleep apnea)  I know there are places on this website or others that have a list of questions to help determine if you might have sleep apnea.  Print this list and take it to doctor.  Obviously, this doc is not going to listen to anything but a blunt "I want...".  It's really frustrating that some doctors have to be this way.

bella,
 Is your insurance a traditional or PPO, (generally you can self refer to a specialist) or HMO (doctors are "gate-keepers" challenged with eliminating specialist referrals and expensive testing. HMO's usually require a referral to a specialist as part of the cost containment philosophy- kinda like that credit card commercial..say NO to all requests, LOL.)  
 If you have PPO or traditional insurance, please select a sleep specialist from this list and call for an appointment.  If your insurance has "options" for types of plans, you might want to switch to a PPO during "open enrollment" period!

http://www.absm.org/Diplomates/listing.htm

If an HMO, I would request IN WRITING a referral to a sleep specialist, and include my symptoms checklist, ask the doctor for a WRITTEN denial if refused.  This should make him/her nervous.
Also, can your husband go to an appoointment with you, and describe your snoring, stop breathing, and gasping for air, tell how hard you are to awaken, and his concerns.  "Bedmates" reports often bear more weight on sleep symptoms than patient reports.  He could also get indignant if you are refused a sleep study!

I was also told it was "normal" to feel tired after newborns, and when raising teenagers...I had severe apnea all those years....my kids deserved a well rested Mom, and so do yours!!  Keep pushing!!

Bella,
As far as your doctor not listening, I can't say anything more than anyone else has on here. With my job and the medical plan that I have, I'm pretty much limited to who I'm told to go to. So, after several years of doing this job, you learn that being a pain in the butt is NOT being a pain at all. Luckily the doctor I have brought up the fact of having a sleep test with all the symptons I told him. My doctor also did bloodwork and everything that he tested for came back fine, in the "normal" range anyway. He said that he did that to rule out any other possible underlying diseases, or cancers, or ect. So your not the only one with normal bloodwork. With that said, I also feel like nothing will be found as well. I know something is wrong, whether the doctors want to confirm that we'll see. I haven't had a sleep test yet, but I'm scheduled next week to go for my evaluation, which I'm scared even then this doc will imediately say I don't have it and turn me away. My wife tells me that won't happen, but, just that nagging feeling. Even if my post didn't say anything more than anyone else has or given you any more info to go on, hopefully it helps give you the renewed confidence to face the doctor (present or new) to not necessarily get what you want, but to get what you NEED and DESERVE!