Posted by BC on October 16, 2009 at 04:20:26:In Reply to: wondering if I have sleep apnea? posted by SouthernGal on October 15, 2009 at 11:10:21:
You could have a sleep disorder, and there are several such disorders besides apnea. It would be good to see a sleep specialist who can give you an overnight test to see how you are sleeping; they will wire you up and be able to catch things that others wouldn't notice. There could also be other factors at work such as thyroid problems so you might need a physical exam as well.
Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Sometimes we feel too busy or that we can't sleep any more, so many end up sleep deprived.
Try to keep your arms straight at night (e.g., you might stick your hand between your legs or even wrap something around your elbow); that might help to keep your arms from falling sleep. When you keep them bent for a long time, that places pressure on your ulnar nerve (which is on the outside of your elbow).
I used to find myself drooling onto my newspaper at lunchtime due to sleepiness. It's embarrassing to talk about such things (even to a doctor), and I understand your fear about what you might be like when you get older. But it is likely that your memory problems are due to sleepiness, and that your memory will improve once you treat the sleepiness.
Take care! Don't delay in seeking treatment. It sounds as if your sleepiness is seriously affecting your life. And you don't want to end up in a traffic accident.