Hi, I wanted to share my experience, as it sounds very much like yours, JustDontAsk.

My sleep patterns have changed a lot through the years. More recently I've gone from having a horrible time falling asleep---and waking up several times thru the night--to falling asleep like I've got Mono and being able to sleep 12 hours with no relief, no feeling of refreshment or rest, including snoring so severe my bf wakes up. More recently, I've woken myself up 3 times not breathing--as in, I wake up, and fully aware my diaphragm is doing nothing.

My psychiatrist believed I had a sleep disorder and insisted I get a Sleep Study done. I had to be evaluated by a Sleep Doctor first (who is not one of the typical doctors we've all dealt with). He suspected Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and had me do a Sleep Study. I too did not sleep 5 hours, in fact, only a solid 3, so the results came up negative (and quite a pretty penny I spent). However, my Sleep Doctor found it notable that during the full 3 hours of sleep my brain never went into REM cycle, therefore my sleep was completely inefficient.

Most of the time they'll recommend a second Sleep Study, but because I have no insurance, my S. Doctor suggested I rent an APAP machine (which automatically increases your oxygen levels in your sleep while you sleep, when needed) and see if the info on it recorded anything significant. I haven't been to see him yet, but I did check in with the RN at the pharmacy where I obtained the machine, and she noted the results indicated probable Sleep Apnea. I have two more weeks to rent the machine, then the month's results go to my doctor, and when I see him he can tell me more decisively what is going on.

On one hand it is frustrating because since the Sleep Study didn't show anything--there's no way to know how often I've stopped breathing, oxygen levels, etc. But, my S. Doctor feels so certain that some kind of sleep disturbance is going on he's willing to work with me, and when it's time to buy a machine (which I'm 99% certain I'll need), he said they'd figure out a way for me to afford it. So I'm very grateful that I've got a doctor who knows what the hell he's doing and is sympathetic to people who don't have decent healthcare.

Anyways, I hope some of that can help you, or give you an idea of what's going on. What is notable, before I did the Study I asked my psychiatrist if he thought my sleep issues were affecting the meds, etc., and he said, "No, but I DO think it's affecting your anxiety and panic attacks." Of course sleep regulates everything--moods, weight, etc.

Ok, I've said enough. Good luck! I feel your pain/fatigue!