Always tired

http://www.healthcare.philips.com/ma...mone/index.wpd

Hard to tell, but the machine is lightweight, and barely takes up the surface of a small nightstand.

Not sure if you can see it --maybe zoom in w/computer--but this machine has a humidifier, so if the air coming into my mask feels too dry, I just fill the right side with distilled water, and turn the circular dial on top, which has different levels of cooling the water. This helps me immeasurably.

Also you may notice the tubing attached--it's not giant, and it's very mobile.

LivethroughThis,
Thank you SO MUCH!!

Since reading these posts about being tired all the time, I am really excited about what I'm learning.
I really felt hopeless. Being tired all the time and having to work and take care of people.. it's too much. I really thought I was on the verge of death.
I'm really looking forward to my sleep study appointment in two months.
(I wish it was sooner)
But now I am not nervous about the machine.
Im just SO looking forward to being able to sleep with out choking to death every night.
<3

InsideOut, you are MOST welcome. It makes me happy I can ease your mind some and give you some info about what to expect. There are also Youtube videos explaining Sleep Studies, showing ppl having them done, etc. It's a painless--though sometimes cumbersome (with the wires)--process.

Two months'll be here before you know it!!!

Oh, meant to say before that with my machine, it's so quiet my bf doesn't hear it (they've made huge improvements in them) so that's nice.

Hmm that is interesting. I wake up gasping for air ALL the time. I have heard of sleep apnea before. I always fiqured I did this because of asthma, or because of bad dreams or something. It's a very scary feeling waking up suddenly to what feels like suffication. Although I rarely have asthma attacks anymore. Also I do not snore often, my bf is a very very light sleeper and he told me I only snore when I am sick with a cold or flu.

I also noticed that when this happens I get a very distinct feeling before I wake. It feels like falling to the pit of hell. Even tho I dont beleive in hell, I can't think of a better description. Like something is pulling my body very quickly to the depths, and then I wake gasping for for air. I am always tired when I wake up, and fatigued through the day. I also usually wake in the morning to a throbbing headache no matter how hydrated I am.

I don't know what that is all about.

I know all too well the gasps for air upon waking. Has never ceased to scare the ***** out of me--it's even happened a couple of times with my sleep machine on; but in those cases I know I must have just stopped breathing, cause my machine immediately kicks in.

My Sleep Dr is also a pulmonologist (lung dr). I asked about asthma as well because my brother and dad both have it. But he listened to my breathing, asked questions, and determined that wasn't the problem. It seems like he told me ppl can have both that and Sleep Apnea. I'm not sure; I started checking out sleep issues forums and found a lot of my answers there, may be worth looking into?

Oh, something I've forgotten to mention in my posts. There are diff types of Sleep Apnea, two kinds I believe. I have Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Here's a link that may help some of you:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sle...CTION=symptoms

I think the under- tone of depression does play a big part.
Maybe I just need to listen to my body when it is telling me it needs a break. Or see the warning signs.
At the moment I am battling to fall asleep altogether

My P-Doc told me once I started using my Sleep Machine, "I expect your meds will start working better as well. Think about it, the brain needs oxygen to perform adequately, correct? Well if you're losing oxygen numerous times in your sleep, your brain can't function as it should....much less utilize the medications in your system. At this point they're just kind of off to the side doing their own thing. Once your sleep is regulated, your brain will have enough oxygen for the meds to work to their full capacity."

I never thought about that, but it makes total sense. My anxiety was all over the place, Panic Attacks amuck, etc. Now a lot of that has ebbed. It's kind of shocking. When I initally told my P-Doc of the sleep diagnosis, he smirked at me and said, "Told you so." He'd been telling me for months, I just didn't have the time or energy to look into it.