|
|
|
|
Posted by BRaymond on February 06, 1998 at 10:16:29:In Reply to: No sleep stages 3 and 4 posted by Tessie on February 05, 1998 at 18:45:42:
Is your husband seeing a board certified sleep specialist who knows not only about pulmonary breathing disorder (one of the is Sleep Apnea which frequent awakenings, loud snoring, and jarring oneself awake from snoring), and other sleep disorders (e.g. narcolepsy).
When I was first diagnosed in 1992, the sleep doctor (he called himself a sleep specialist but was in fact a pulmonary specialist who knew little about sleep disorders other than sleep apnea) was unable to treat my disorder - he said he knew I had narcolepsy but didn't know what to do - instead he chewed me out for not quitting my job, told me I didn't care about my health, refused to allow me access to any of my medical records he had, and refused to treat me - nor did he give me a referral to another doctor. Needless to say this didn't help me convince my employers that I wasn't lying about my sleep disorder, and only fueled them on more toward firing me over it.
In the sleep lab, the sleep technician told me I "went straight from wakefulness to REM and Dreaming...and I had sped up the sleep cycle remarkably...I skipped stages 3 & 4 which is where I get good quality sleep or slow wave sleep." He went on to say that if you're in REM, there is a part of you which is still awake which is why we often incorporate sounds around us into our dreams, and not going into stages 3&4 did not allow me to get restful sleep.
It should take for the average person 60-90 minutes to reach REM in their sleep cycle which is after stages 1,2,3,4, & then REM. In my case I skipped all and went directly into REM. I was in REM sleep 5.6 minutes, 4.5m, 3.4, 3.2, and 2.3.I did find a sleep specialist by luck - he was on a phamphelt where I had gone to an Alzheimer's clinic study. He is nationally board certified. Having faith in your doctor that he can help to the best of his and your ability really relieves the pressure and gives you a greater sense of confidence that you can maintain some control over your life.
See a doctor and find out what's causing it. If it is a sleep disorder, the reality is he may never be able to "catch up" on his sleep, but may be able to manage it through the help of a doctor, medicine, diet, exercise, nutrition, and other alternatives or additions e.g. melatonin or other vitamins.
In my case, the Doctors said I would forever be tired...I would feel as if I had gone without sleep for 3 days every day for the rest of my life." But don't give up hope.
Today I'm tired and I'm writing this!!! Find a motivator, look within yourself and he within himself, be supportive of one another, allow room for disagreements yet acceptance of each other's opinions and beliefs, DON'T GIVE UP, and ALWAYS HOPE AND PRAY. Positive attitude can help him turn his life around or at least use it to the best of his abilities.I can't give up. I'm the healthiest in my family, still working, still able to smile and laugh without falling, and besides my family depends on me to be there.
Sorry I talked so much but sometimes hearing from others that they know what it is like can be refreshing. I wish I had this choice in 1992 when I was first diagnosed and fought legally for two years to simply hold on to my job and salary. They tried to punish me for having it, but called it my fault, a lie, etc. They even had their doctors examine me, who then verified my 3 doctors' reports, and still tried to fire me. If it hadn't been for my psychiatric patients coming into my office and telling me "You always taught us to stand up for ourself, now you have to do that for you", I don't know if I wouldv'e fought the State of FL.
Good Luck and God Bless. BRaymond
you may write me at raymond@desoto.net
- Re: No sleep stages 3 and 4 tessie 2/06/98 (1)
- Re: No sleep stages 3 and 4 Sleepyrick 2/07/98 (0)
Copyright ©1995-2000 Sleepnet.com, All rights reserved.