Greetings to all!  I am throwing out the following for comments, opinions and advice regarding the possibility of any sleep disorder.  I am a 53 year old male; 5' 5" at 160 pounds.  Over the last few years, I have been experiencing a steady decline in my ability to concentrate and remember things even for short periods.  All this and increased fatigue too.  Often, when I "awaken" in the morning, I feel like I have been in a fight and lost.  Quite often the bed looks the same way.  I had associated a number of possible causes to this such as increased age, possible anxiety or stress, bad dreams (that I didn't remember), etc.  It was not until after I noticed that my father displayed symptoms of sleep apnea (cessation of breathe for an extended period, followed by an explosive inhalation), that I considered it may be why I was so tired.  Several years have passed since then.  Earlier I had tried to record audio during my sleep but could only catch a couple of hours with lots of sheets rustling.  In mid-November, I finally felt so bad I purchased a wireless webcam and began to record my sleep.  It was like a horror show.  I moved all over the place, tossing the covers, pulling them back on, sitting up on my elbows and shaking my head, with multiple and various other poses.  This behavior has been repeated to some extent every other night I have recorded.  I could not get the audio to work however.  Finally I got one night of audio, though poor.  I was on my back.  I would start to snore (didn't know I did this), softly at first, then it would deepen.  After approximately 10 minutes, something happens that breaks my snoring (a snuffling? noise) and I turn.  This repeats itself over and over again at various intervals.  I don't remember any of this.  On a bad night I have this vague memory of being awake.  I am a diabetic (diet controlled, at present) and have been told I have GERD.  I take no meds for the GERD.  The head of my bed is elevated 6 inches for the GERD.  I have taken diazepam/Valium PRN for long term pain issues for many years.  I have DC'd this since I saw the vids.  Now my serum glucose and my blood pressure have elevated somewhat along with the fatigue.  I am currently taking an antibiotic for a sinus infection.  I have had chronic sinusitis forever.  I finally got in to see my GP and described what I saw and heard in the video.  He made an appointment for a consult at a local sleep disorder clinic for the earliest he could get, which is the 28th of December.  I am now on a cancellation list for an earlier one.  I wish to thank you for any comments and/or advice you can offer.  Take care!
Doug

enigma0270,

My symptoms were not as severe as yours. I had tiredness and memory problems as my only symptoms. As far as I knew, I went to sleep and slept all night without waking up. After all my lab tests and MRI came back normal, I was scheduled for a sleep study on Oct. 8. Imagine my surprise when I was found to have an AHI (apnea/hypopnea index) of 68 and PLM (periodic leg movements) of 201. I have been running races all night long and did not know it!

I had my titration on Nov. 4, and I hope to hear something about my machine this week (yes, I have called several times). It sure seems that for something that has such significant implications as OSA that the wheels of medicine turn very slowly.

But I have learned so much in the mean time from these boards and chat groups that I will be well prepared to discuss my sleep study results and machines and masks knowledgeably. Had I not educated myself, I probably would be stuck with whatever mask and machine the DME could foist off on me and be struggling to make it work.

Thanks to all the board members for sharing their knowledge and experience!


_________________
When I woke up this morning my girlfriend asked me, 'Did you sleep well?' I said 'No, I made a few mistakes.' Steven Wright

My symptoms are worse than yours???  This is not what I wanted to hear.  Although I suspect sleep apnea, perhaps restless leg, anxiety or even PTSD, it is sobering to hear that expressed by someone with a diagnosis.  I am no better.  Most mornings I am very tired.  On the mornings I remember being awake, I am exhausted.  My blood sugar and blood pressure are higher than normal.  I have developed what seems to be peripheral neuropathy, weird sensations, in my legs and feet.  However, it seems to have little to do with my blood sugar levels.  I have obviously let this go for too long a time.  Now things are just falling apart.  I am having an increasingly difficult time getting ready for work in the morning.  I stumble around like a drunken man and am constantly misplacing things.  Oh well!  No change on the consult date.  I am still recording my sleep time.  It still does not look good.  Not at all sure what is going on but it is not good.  Take care!
Doug