This was kind of odd...

A couple of years ago, I started volunteering at Shedd Aquarium (Chicago Lakefront), and really enjoyed myself. Every other week I'd "interpret" (this is a fish>>> ) for visitors. Then, about a year ago, I started working the alternate weeks, prepping food and helping to feed some of the animals.

But last August, I sprained my ankle pretty badly. And then I started walking wrong, I guess. By October, my hip was hurting - and it only got worse.

About the same time, I started to feel tired, non-stop. I spent Sundays in bed, got home from work, Shedd, and went to bed. Pain and sleep... I felt a million years old, and was horribly depressed.

Unfortunately, I waited until after my trip to England to see a doctor. By then, I was nodding off at stop lights as I drove into work. I was falling asleep at work, every single day. And I saw a Doctor, then saw some specialists, then saw another doctor... I went on medicine for hypothyroidism, but that didn't fix the falling asleep thing. I am seeing a chiropractor, which helped the pain (I still have a stiff back), and I was still falling asleep at work.

But finally, the doctor referred me to a sleep clinic. I learned that I have apnea - if you stop breathing an average of 15 times an hour while asleep, you are diagnosed with apnea. My average was 125 times an hour. (Besides making you tired, apnea can raise your blood pressure, lower your metabolism, and lots of other nasty things.)

One week ago, I got a "CPAP" machine. I breathe through a mask all night. I no longer snore (the machine keeps my airway open, no snoring), and on the first morning, I was alert and wide awake. My hip has improved more in the past week than I think it did during any month of treatment. Compared to January, I feel FANTASTIC!!!

Please, if you're tired even after sleeping, if you snore, if you are depressed from the constant tiredness - see your doctor and ask about apnea.

Star, thanks for sharing the symptoms, warning signs. As I was reading, I was worried that you were going "somewhere else" with it... I'm glad it's "only" sleep apnea, easily (I gather from your description) cured. Glad you finally got it diagnosed. Now you can go out and enjoy life without constantly being tired or falling asleep behind the wheel.

Thanks, Terrie. Short of stitching an open wound or casting a broken bone, I cannot imagine anything having a more fast and dramatic impact on a person's life. I was screamingly depressed; I have had that problem before - now I wonder, has it always been apnea? As I sit here, I cannot remember the last time I felt so awake and terrific, before I got the machine.

very likely you've suffered for a long time with apnea, star. Just possibly not as bad a case in your earlier years.
My dad clearly suffered from it, but would not admit to having a problem. He merely could (would!) fall asleep anywhere, anytime... sitting, reclining, even standing (true!) He always attributed it to his hard/long working hours (which just aggravated his condition). But if you ever heard the way he breathed and snored while sleeping, you'd know the truth... Hell, noone else got any sleep either!!!
Glad you're sleepin' and feelin' better these days. My wife wanted me to sleep with a mask... but that's another story!!!

Star--My brother had sleep apnea. He snored loud enough to shake the house! He ended up having the laser surgery. I remember it was right before Thanksgiving, and all he could eat that holiday was mashed potatoes. The surgery was worth it, though. Although he says his voice has never been quite the same since he had the operation--he lost some of his low bass range or something--his snoring has greatly decreased, and both he and my sister-in-law are sleeping much better!

back from surgery, typing one-handed. lots of damage in my wrist. they had to do two ops instead of just the arthroscope. in a cast past my elbow! bone, soft tissue & tendon. i waawake but drowsy, watched the arthroscope on the monitor. the other section was done by open wound so i couldn't watch. told me later i'd need physical therapy for some time to regain use. g;ad it's over... been 11 years! now the right one's starting but we can do that faster since we now know what's up with my joints... and the left knee is next.... yuck!

ooops, sorry star. i meant to put this in the other thread.

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 1 times, lastly by Terrie on Jun 17, 2004 ---</FONT></center>

Terrie, I'm sending lots of healing blundervibes in your direction!

Star, I'm so glad you have found out what was causing your sleep problems, and what you could do about it!

Healthy Blundervibes to all who need them!!!

Good luck with your hand & wrist. Prayers & vibes just said...

Thanks, everyone, and no problem, Terrie, yow- I hope that you heal better-than-(even) hoped-for...

Hey everyone! Just dropping in to say Hello, but saw the operative report so this must be added ... Better Health and Better Days to you!

Gotta watch out for those tubes they put down your throat during surgeries. Losing vocal range is just one of the side effects if it isn't done verrrrry carefully, and most anesthesiologists aren't trained to spare your vocal chords.

However, being alive does always count for something (hard as it may be to believe that at times) ... Sigh. No, really: It does.

Good to see the posts of those who are around these days, as always. I'm fine, BTW. SO happy to be out of Woodstock.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Terrie!

Welcome back! Hope those needing prayers & vibes are doing better... <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15> <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>

Star, I'm so glad the CPAP did the trick for you. I had breathing problems (as well as snoring and insomnia). First had all the breathing tests--no problems there (found out it was an allergic reaction to ibuprofin--can cause "asthma-like" problems). They then recommended a sleep clinic because of insomnia and snoring. Was told I had "moderate" sleep apnea (65 wake cycles rather than your "severe" severe sleep apnea)--recommended the CPAP. However, they tried twice in the clinic--once with a mask, once with only tubes and both times I panicked--truly felt like I was being smothered, in reverse. I made 3 appts to get a fitting, and the very THOUGHT of it caused me to cancel each time--more stressing than the depression/tiredness from no sleep. Since then, I've been making a concerted effort to be a calmer person (meditation, etc.). Still have some sleep issues, but not nearly as severe.

Anyway, just adding my voice to Star's to anyone who suffers from depression or sleep apnea or snoring. Do get it taken care of however you need to--CPAP, surgery, or stress management.

Terrie--healing blundervibes being sent. Hope the physical therapy goes well.

Thanks, Pam. Trying to learn how to do things (like shower) with onlt one available hand. My left arm is casted all the way up and wrapping in plastic bags just to wash my hair!

LANCE!!!!! Terrie could use a little help in the hair washing department! They tell me that it is........umm...never mind.....