You’re not my doctor, buuuut…does this sound like sleep apnea?
July 4, 2023 5:33 PM Subscribe
I’m eagerly awaiting a sleep study at the end of this month, but do my deteriorating symptoms sound familiar to you? Or if there are other routes you suggest I investigate while waiting?
I (37M) started having issues with my sleep last December. I saw a primary in May who recommended I see a sleep specialist, who I saw in June. He said it sounds like sleep apnea and set me up with a sleep study at the end of July.
My problems seem to be worsening, and I’m doing my best to tough it out til July. I have a few questions for y’all in the meantime:
1. Do my symptoms sound familiar to you as sleep apnea? Even a simple “Yep, this is what I went through!” would tremendously ease my worries about what’s going on
2. If so, were there any remediations that helped you out before you got a full diagnosis?
3. Is there anything else that comes to mind that you’d advise me to look into in parallel? A “You might want to have your doctor check X levels…” may give me a headstart in case I get to the study and it’s not sleep apnea.
Details:
Last year, I started frequently waking up an hour earlier than my alarm. Then two hours. Early this year, I started waking up in the middle of the night, wide awake and unable to return to sleep. New thing for me.
I am so, so tired during the day. My eyes in particular feel slow and hard to focus. I’ve also been getting burst blood vessels in them about once a week. Even on the nights that I do sleep through the night, I feel groggy the whole day.
I bought a wedge pillow, which has helped. I’m usually only waking up once per night and often able to return to sleep now. Still waking up early. I usually have to pee when I wake up, which is weird because I’m trying not to drink liquids for three or even four hours before sleep. Sometimes it feels like I wake up in fight-or-flight mode, and sweaty.
I snore. Not sure it’s loud enough to hear in the other room, but it’s loud enough for my partner to wake up on occasion. Thanks to the Samsung Health App, I see it happens throughout the night. Always have had sinus issues.
I do end up with around 8 hours of sleep most nights, but it doesn’t seem to matter. I wake up with headaches a few nights per weeks.
And hey, I also see from my watch that my O2 frequently dips down into the mid-80s at least once a night. Otherwise it jumps up and down between 90 - 95.
I’m not overweight, though I’ve gained 20 lbs or so over the past three years.
–
So…does this sound familiar? If so, is it typical for symptoms to sort of snowball? It went from a minor annoyance to now struggling to maintain my ability to function throughout the day over the course of six months. I feel slow and so very tired. Any other ideas for me to look into?
Thanks, folks! AskMeFi helped me out a long time ago - I saw in 2009 (!) I asked a what weird health thing is going on with me? question and folks (accurately) pointed towards migraines, exacerbated by a concussion.
I (37M) started having issues with my sleep last December. I saw a primary in May who recommended I see a sleep specialist, who I saw in June. He said it sounds like sleep apnea and set me up with a sleep study at the end of July.
My problems seem to be worsening, and I’m doing my best to tough it out til July. I have a few questions for y’all in the meantime:
1. Do my symptoms sound familiar to you as sleep apnea? Even a simple “Yep, this is what I went through!” would tremendously ease my worries about what’s going on
2. If so, were there any remediations that helped you out before you got a full diagnosis?
3. Is there anything else that comes to mind that you’d advise me to look into in parallel? A “You might want to have your doctor check X levels…” may give me a headstart in case I get to the study and it’s not sleep apnea.
Details:
Last year, I started frequently waking up an hour earlier than my alarm. Then two hours. Early this year, I started waking up in the middle of the night, wide awake and unable to return to sleep. New thing for me.
I am so, so tired during the day. My eyes in particular feel slow and hard to focus. I’ve also been getting burst blood vessels in them about once a week. Even on the nights that I do sleep through the night, I feel groggy the whole day.
I bought a wedge pillow, which has helped. I’m usually only waking up once per night and often able to return to sleep now. Still waking up early. I usually have to pee when I wake up, which is weird because I’m trying not to drink liquids for three or even four hours before sleep. Sometimes it feels like I wake up in fight-or-flight mode, and sweaty.
I snore. Not sure it’s loud enough to hear in the other room, but it’s loud enough for my partner to wake up on occasion. Thanks to the Samsung Health App, I see it happens throughout the night. Always have had sinus issues.
I do end up with around 8 hours of sleep most nights, but it doesn’t seem to matter. I wake up with headaches a few nights per weeks.
And hey, I also see from my watch that my O2 frequently dips down into the mid-80s at least once a night. Otherwise it jumps up and down between 90 - 95.
I’m not overweight, though I’ve gained 20 lbs or so over the past three years.
–
So…does this sound familiar? If so, is it typical for symptoms to sort of snowball? It went from a minor annoyance to now struggling to maintain my ability to function throughout the day over the course of six months. I feel slow and so very tired. Any other ideas for me to look into?
Thanks, folks! AskMeFi helped me out a long time ago - I saw in 2009 (!) I asked a what weird health thing is going on with me? question and folks (accurately) pointed towards migraines, exacerbated by a concussion.
The waking up in the middle of the night in a panic and feeling exhausted in the morning even if you think you got good sleep or better sleep is classic sleep apnea stuff along with the snoring.
posted by AlexiaSky at 5:49 PM on July 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by AlexiaSky at 5:49 PM on July 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Being tired all the time is a strong indicator. That's enough to get a sleep study in my opinion.
But when my partner had untreated apnea, it was utterly unmistakable. While sleeping, he would routinely be snoring, and then he would stop breathing completely and struggle (I could see his chest heaving but no air was flowing), and then he'd finally wake up and gasp for breath. Then he'd fall back asleep and do it again. It's really scary to see. It might have been an egregious case, but it was impossible for me to not know as his sleeping partner.
It always happened if he was asleep on his back. It was much better when he slept on a side, but still not great. Like you, he couldn't stay awake during the day. To sit and watch a movie through was impossible. He has used a CPAP now for many years and doesn't have trouble anymore.
So as for a remediation, definitely sleep on your side until you can get checked. A trick I've heard is to sew a tennis ball to the back of a shirt you sleep in. If you tend to roll onto your back without realizing it, that's annoying enough to make you turn back over.
posted by fritley at 7:29 PM on July 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
But when my partner had untreated apnea, it was utterly unmistakable. While sleeping, he would routinely be snoring, and then he would stop breathing completely and struggle (I could see his chest heaving but no air was flowing), and then he'd finally wake up and gasp for breath. Then he'd fall back asleep and do it again. It's really scary to see. It might have been an egregious case, but it was impossible for me to not know as his sleeping partner.
It always happened if he was asleep on his back. It was much better when he slept on a side, but still not great. Like you, he couldn't stay awake during the day. To sit and watch a movie through was impossible. He has used a CPAP now for many years and doesn't have trouble anymore.
So as for a remediation, definitely sleep on your side until you can get checked. A trick I've heard is to sew a tennis ball to the back of a shirt you sleep in. If you tend to roll onto your back without realizing it, that's annoying enough to make you turn back over.
posted by fritley at 7:29 PM on July 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
We thought my kid (3yo) might have sleep apnea. He has a lot of the classic symptoms: snoring, waking up a lot, being tired all the time. We got him a consult for a sleep study, and they took one look at him and said “yeah, no sleep study needed, he has tonsils the size of the Sudan”. His enormous tonsils made it difficult for him to breathe, and the effects ended up looking like sleep apnea. No idea if that’s what’s happening with you, but it’s worth looking into if only to eliminate the possibility.
posted by kevinbelt at 8:15 PM on July 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by kevinbelt at 8:15 PM on July 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
You don't need to be fat to have sleep apnoea.
A lot of thinner people with sleep apnoea (especially women) go undiagnosed because of the misconception that "sleep apnoea is not found in thin people."
This is just not true.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 8:47 PM on July 4, 2023 [8 favorites]
A lot of thinner people with sleep apnoea (especially women) go undiagnosed because of the misconception that "sleep apnoea is not found in thin people."
This is just not true.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 8:47 PM on July 4, 2023 [8 favorites]
Yeah, I mean I am no medical doc but this sounds like apnea. Since you have to wait for treatment you can try some of the over the counter stuff. I've had family prescribed flonase by docs, breathright strips also suggested. Of course all the side sleeping ideas are also good.
I'd also suggest calling the clinic to see if you can get on a cancellation list.
posted by aetg at 9:39 PM on July 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'd also suggest calling the clinic to see if you can get on a cancellation list.
posted by aetg at 9:39 PM on July 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
For me, the primary indication of sleep apnea was floppy eyelid syndrome , first noticed by (of all people) my optometrist. It's a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. I was snoring, but my wife never noticed me stop breathing, I wasn't waking in the middle of the night, wasn't sleepy during the day, used Breatherites, had slept on my side for years. I thought I couldn't possibly have it, but the sleep study showed moderate to severe sleep apnea. Don't skip that sleep study!
posted by lhauser at 10:18 PM on July 4, 2023
posted by lhauser at 10:18 PM on July 4, 2023
Frequent need to pee at night can be a symptom of sleep apnea. I learned about this on a podcast. The Curious Clinicians.
posted by mai at 6:36 AM on July 5, 2023
posted by mai at 6:36 AM on July 5, 2023
For me, the adrenaline dump, inability to sleep halfway through the night and being exhausted was long covid. It comes and goes now. I don't think I snore though.
One thing stuck out: You're probably not drinking enough water and you're trying to avoid all fluids for 3-4 hours before bed? Yeah, you're going to wake up dehydrated and have a headache. Try drinking a good glass of water an hour before bed and using the restroom before you go to sleep? You're spending 12 hours without any water intake on purpose doesn't sound ideal.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 2:29 PM on July 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
One thing stuck out: You're probably not drinking enough water and you're trying to avoid all fluids for 3-4 hours before bed? Yeah, you're going to wake up dehydrated and have a headache. Try drinking a good glass of water an hour before bed and using the restroom before you go to sleep? You're spending 12 hours without any water intake on purpose doesn't sound ideal.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 2:29 PM on July 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
Have you tried BreatheRight strips? You mentioned sinus issues, so while they're not really effective for sleep apnea they could help with sinus-related issues; I have some issues with sleep and snoring and they help me, tho. It's a cheap thing to try at the very least.
posted by Aleyn at 5:24 PM on July 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Aleyn at 5:24 PM on July 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
I've suffered from sleep apnea for over a decade, and I just got a new CPAP (having used the old one for a decade!)
Yes, snoring is one of the best indicators of sleep apnea. Another way to self-diagnose snoring is "Sleep as Android" app. It's a sleep cycle tracker and alarm. It will RECORD your snoring and generate stats. It won't diagnose sleep apnea though. That is up to a sleep specialist.
A true sleep study will often involve going to a sleep lab. If you really can't wait that long, ask the sleep specialist if they offer in-home testing. Basically, they mail you a device that you attach to your wrist, with a pad that you stick to your chest, and a finger sensor (like the oximeter at a hospital bed) and you go to sleep like normal. Next day, you login to the companion app, it uploads the data to your sleep specialist, and you mail the device back to be cleaned and reused. This can be done in days, and results are back in a week or two. I got one done about a month ago.
posted by kschang at 10:30 PM on July 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
Yes, snoring is one of the best indicators of sleep apnea. Another way to self-diagnose snoring is "Sleep as Android" app. It's a sleep cycle tracker and alarm. It will RECORD your snoring and generate stats. It won't diagnose sleep apnea though. That is up to a sleep specialist.
A true sleep study will often involve going to a sleep lab. If you really can't wait that long, ask the sleep specialist if they offer in-home testing. Basically, they mail you a device that you attach to your wrist, with a pad that you stick to your chest, and a finger sensor (like the oximeter at a hospital bed) and you go to sleep like normal. Next day, you login to the companion app, it uploads the data to your sleep specialist, and you mail the device back to be cleaned and reused. This can be done in days, and results are back in a week or two. I got one done about a month ago.
posted by kschang at 10:30 PM on July 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks, folks! I've taken to sleeping on the couch for a bit which helps me stay on my side during the night. And while it's probably not the most accurate measurement in the world, I can see from my watch that my O2 doesn't drop as much on my right side.
While I'm still unsure why things have gotten so much worse so quickly, the answers here have definitely helped put me at ease. I'm just counting down the days until the sleep study now (alas, no cancellation wait list!). I'll be taking a look at breath strips and the like in the meantime, at least to cut down on the snoring.
Hopefully I'll have some good news by the this time next month!
posted by HonorShadow at 7:57 AM on July 6, 2023
While I'm still unsure why things have gotten so much worse so quickly, the answers here have definitely helped put me at ease. I'm just counting down the days until the sleep study now (alas, no cancellation wait list!). I'll be taking a look at breath strips and the like in the meantime, at least to cut down on the snoring.
Hopefully I'll have some good news by the this time next month!
posted by HonorShadow at 7:57 AM on July 6, 2023
Response by poster: For those keeping score at home:
1. Yes, it was sleep apnea
2. Yes, I got a CPAP
3. Yes, the issues started resolving almost immediately upon using the CPAP
My sleep study showed somewhat mild *central* sleep apnea (AHI around 8.4). My doc thought it likely had an obstructive component and was possibly worse than recorded because I barely slept at all during the sleep study (those hospital beds are not comfortable!).
I got a CPAP about a week ago and, once I got the correct kind of mask, started sleeping better immediately. I wake up once per night, no problems falling asleep at the beginning or middle of the night. And yes, the frequent urination also went away immediately. Daytime fatigue is significantly reduced, and getting better by the day.
So for folks who stumble across this in search or from Google...see a sleep specialist!
posted by HonorShadow at 1:56 PM on September 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
1. Yes, it was sleep apnea
2. Yes, I got a CPAP
3. Yes, the issues started resolving almost immediately upon using the CPAP
My sleep study showed somewhat mild *central* sleep apnea (AHI around 8.4). My doc thought it likely had an obstructive component and was possibly worse than recorded because I barely slept at all during the sleep study (those hospital beds are not comfortable!).
I got a CPAP about a week ago and, once I got the correct kind of mask, started sleeping better immediately. I wake up once per night, no problems falling asleep at the beginning or middle of the night. And yes, the frequent urination also went away immediately. Daytime fatigue is significantly reduced, and getting better by the day.
So for folks who stumble across this in search or from Google...see a sleep specialist!
posted by HonorShadow at 1:56 PM on September 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
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I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Exhaustion from lack of sleep is miserable. You've reason to be confident that the sleep study will be informative.
posted by armoir from antproof case at 5:49 PM on July 4, 2023 [1 favorite]