Sleeeeeep... Apnea
In order to avoid blathering incessantly about Yet Another Health Issue, I decided--this time--to wait until I had a firm diagnosis.
You may recall the Back Pain Issue of a couple of months ago. I was actually given the thumbs-up by my physical therapist week before last over that, which was terrific. I'm back to functioning normally again. Unfortunately, "normally" has become, "must chug a constant stream of caffeine to avoid face-planting into my dinner."
I thought at first that it was a holdover from the muscle relaxant I was taking for my back, but when the symptoms weren't much better a couple of weeks later, my doctor referred me to a sleep specialist. After reviewing my history, he said that there was a really good (80-85%) chance that I had sleep apnea. I had a sleep study last weekend, and yesterday the doctor confirmed the diagnosis.
He described it as a mild case, which I was glad to hear because he then told me I'd stopped breathing 46 times during the study. (?!) Apparently, it averaged to eight times an hour, which is right in the range of 5-10 apneas per hour that defines "mild."
The go-to treatment for the type of sleep apnea I have is to use a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine during sleep. The idea is that the machine will force a constant stream of air into my mouth and nose, keeping the airway open. It's inconvenient and the mask reportedly gives the wearer a certain Darth Vader-esque look, but it works. I have another appointment set up three weekends hence to fit the mask--meaning I go back to the sleep center and they'll figure out the minimum pressure levels I need to overcome the apnea. Since I'll still have to breathe out against the pressure inside in the mask, it's important find the lowest effective setting.
I have to say that, while I'm a bit freaked out (46 times!!!), mostly what I'm feeling is relief that there's a fix for this. I haven't been this tired since I was pregnant, and at least when I was pregnant naps helped. It's been a real struggle to accomplish even a bare minimum of physical tasks, which haven't even included things like housework. I'm told that I'll feel much better once I start using the machine, so that's what I'm going to believe. :)
You may recall the Back Pain Issue of a couple of months ago. I was actually given the thumbs-up by my physical therapist week before last over that, which was terrific. I'm back to functioning normally again. Unfortunately, "normally" has become, "must chug a constant stream of caffeine to avoid face-planting into my dinner."
I thought at first that it was a holdover from the muscle relaxant I was taking for my back, but when the symptoms weren't much better a couple of weeks later, my doctor referred me to a sleep specialist. After reviewing my history, he said that there was a really good (80-85%) chance that I had sleep apnea. I had a sleep study last weekend, and yesterday the doctor confirmed the diagnosis.
He described it as a mild case, which I was glad to hear because he then told me I'd stopped breathing 46 times during the study. (?!) Apparently, it averaged to eight times an hour, which is right in the range of 5-10 apneas per hour that defines "mild."
The go-to treatment for the type of sleep apnea I have is to use a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine during sleep. The idea is that the machine will force a constant stream of air into my mouth and nose, keeping the airway open. It's inconvenient and the mask reportedly gives the wearer a certain Darth Vader-esque look, but it works. I have another appointment set up three weekends hence to fit the mask--meaning I go back to the sleep center and they'll figure out the minimum pressure levels I need to overcome the apnea. Since I'll still have to breathe out against the pressure inside in the mask, it's important find the lowest effective setting.
I have to say that, while I'm a bit freaked out (46 times!!!), mostly what I'm feeling is relief that there's a fix for this. I haven't been this tired since I was pregnant, and at least when I was pregnant naps helped. It's been a real struggle to accomplish even a bare minimum of physical tasks, which haven't even included things like housework. I'm told that I'll feel much better once I start using the machine, so that's what I'm going to believe. :)