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Last Effort For Help: Almost done.

Posted by Jake on July 30, 2003 at 18:08:00:

Hi, all,

Been lurking on this forum intermittently. Going to give one last effort for some answers from the knowledgeable people here.

Briefly: have had sleeping problems for the past six years. Go to sleep fine, sleep 8-10 hours, wake up feeling as though I hadn't slept at all. Huge black marks under eyes, cognitive problems, and worst of all, total exhaustion. I'm unable to work or drive. I feel hungover all day, every day.

Numerous sleep studies were inconclusive at best. Got diagnosed with "mild" sleep apnea/sleep-disordered breathing which was "resolved" (funny) with 8cm CPAP. Feel NO different on the machine. However, the follow-up study showed that even with it, I have numerous "unspecified" arousals and spend only 5% of my night in Stage 3/4 sleep.

Obviously, I get no quality rest, with or without the CPAP. I'm only 25 and not overweight. Doctor thinks my lack of deep sleep was due to the study...but it was my third and I "slept" as I always do. He prescribed Trazodone, which has done nothing. He's clueless despite being an accredited specialist and seems to think this problem is more minor than it is.

Please: WHAT can I do about this? I've spent thousands on AutoPAPS that didn't work, hundreds on masks (before I had my follow-up), hundreds on doctor visits, all to no avail. I finally lost my job and am now on ultra-expensive private insurance, which will NOT cover any more studies.

I can't believe there isn't some kind of pill that could help. Ambien doesn't. Trazodone doesn't. Allergy pills do not. Why not Klonopin? Something else?

Anyone else have no stage 3/4? I suspect UARS, which would make sense with the "unspecified" arousals and my allergy problems. But I have no stuffiness or cough, and allergists don't seem to understand my complaint.

Dental appliance? Pill? Or am I condemned to a life where I don't get the one thing 99% of the population takes for granted, and something I HAVE to have to function?

Follow Ups:


Archived Apnea Forum114 viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Apnea Forum Homepage

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  • Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.


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