Question:

Taj1294 wrote: > <<Husband’s symptoms snipped>>

Sounds like a classic case of sleep apnea.  My doctor didn’t diagnose my sleep apnea either.  After three years of complaining about tiredness and many blood tests, I diagnosed myself.  Even then, my doctor said "No way", but he agreed to send me for a sleep test.  I was then diagnosed with severe sleep apnea.  He’s no longer my doctor.  Insist that your husband get a sleep test.  If this doctor won’t set one up, find a new doctor. Big Al

Response:

taj1…@aol.com (Taj1294) wrote: >I have posted here recently about my own difficulties with falling asleep and >staying asleep… I have been struggling with this for a few years now and take >Ambien regularly.  I realize now that maybe part of my problem is that my >husband seems to snore lightly and then almost snort and snore really loudly >every 20 minutes or so; often times waking me up just as I’m finally dozing off >and "jolting" me awake so that my heart is pounding when I am awakened — I >used to think that my sudden awakenings were some type of anxiety attack of my >own; but I’m thinking now that he is just startling me with his sudden >grunting, snoring and loud breathing…

That "snort" could be a gasp for air when his airway closes, a prime symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. FWIW, my wife says that your description of your husband’s sleeping behavior matches mine except that I was doing it more frequently. > He also has complained of feeling >constantly tired and says he often feels like he’s ready to fall asleep at the >wheel at the end of the day on his way home.  He says no matter how much he >sleeps he never feels ‘rested’.

More classic sleep apnea symptoms. > His dummy doctor told him to take No-Doz and left it at that…

<Snort!> >He has always insisted that he has no sleep problems because he has no trouble >falling asleep and can do so anywhere, anytime.

That’s typical. I didn’t think I had any problems sleeping, I pursued my possible sleep apnea because my wife was concerned about the link between sleep apnea and high blood pressure. Something like 80 or 90 percent of sleep apnea sufferers are "diagnosed" by their spouses. > What are the signs and symptoms of sleep >apnea??? I know there has been a lot of discussion here about this subject, but >I tend to not read it because I always thought that that was not MY problem…

Have your husband take this test, or take it for him if he’s reluctant. The questions will give you a good insight into some other sleep apnea symptoms. Chronic heartburn is another, at least in my case. http://www.nationalsleep.com/sleeptest.htm >I was more concerned about being able to relax and fall asleep without >medication.  Now I think that maybe my husband’s sleep habits/problems have a >lot to do with my problem: I always sleep better when he is away or if I sleep >in a different room from him.  Maybe that is because he is not distubing my >light sleep!  

Both my wife and I are sleeping _vastly_ better since I went on CPAP. My sleep time is about the same but I’m getting far more good out of it. My wife no longer has to cope with my snoring and gasping for breath. It’s a winner all the way around! Let us know how your husband does on the test. Tom     – Sick of Spam? Join CAUCE. http://www.cauce.org

Response:

Sounds like you just gave a pretty good text book description of OSA ( Obstructive Sleep Apnea ). Think it would be wise to push this issue with his doctor and if that doesn’t work find another doctor who is more familiar and in tune with current sleep apnea diagnosis. This may not be the problem but it is certainly worthwhile investigating further. It took me many years to be diagnosed and at considerable mental and physical costs.  The treatment is simple and life saving and changing. Good Luck!

Response:

It sure sounds like your husband has sleep apnea.  When I told my doctor about my symptoms, which were similar to your husband’s, he blamed it on "indigestion".  I went to another doctor, and he immediately sent me to a sleep specialist.  I was diagnosed with OSA, and have been on CPAP for about 14 months.  I’m convinced it saved my life.  Have your husband get a sleep study referral ASAP, and tell him to monitor this newsgroup.  Good luck! — Paul Gilbert "Taj1294" <taj1…@aol.com> wrote in message

news:20001009150708.26999.00002428@ng-cg1.aol.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi > I have posted here recently about my own difficulties with falling asleep and > staying asleep… I have been struggling with this for a few years now and take > Ambien regularly.  I realize now that maybe part of my problem is that my > husband seems to snore lightly and then almost snort and snore really loudly > every 20 minutes or so; often times waking me up just as I’m finally dozing off > and "jolting" me awake so that my heart is pounding when I am awakened — I > used to think that my sudden awakenings were some type of anxiety attack of my > own; but I’m thinking now that he is just startling me with his sudden > grunting, snoring and loud breathing… He also has complained of feeling > constantly tired and says he often feels like he’s ready to fall asleep at the > wheel at the end of the day on his way home.  He says no matter how much he > sleeps he never feels ‘rested’.  His dummy doctor told him to take No-Doz and > left it at that… I’m wondering now if maybe he has a more serious (and > completely undiagnosed)  physical sleep related problem .  He has always > insisted that he has no sleep problems because he has no trouble falling asleep > and can do so anywhere, anytime.  What are the signs and symptoms of sleep > apnea??? I know there has been a lot of discussion here about this subject, but > I tend to not read it because I always thought that that was not MY problem… > I was more concerned about being able to relax and fall asleep without > medication.  Now I think that maybe my husband’s sleep habits/problems have a > lot to do with my problem: I always sleep better when he is away or if I sleep > in a different room from him.  Maybe that is because he is not distubing my > light sleep! > Thanks for any insight or advice!

Response:

On 09 Oct 2000 19:07:08 GMT, in message <20001009150708.26999.00002…@ng-cg1.aol.com>  taj1…@aol.com (Taj1294) wrote: >What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea??? >  I realize now that maybe part of my problem is that my >husband seems to snore lightly and then almost snort and snore really loudly >every 20 minutes or so

That’s one. > He also has complained of feeling >constantly tired and says he often feels like he’s ready to fall asleep at the >wheel at the end of the day on his way home.  He says no matter how much he >sleeps he never feels ‘rested’.

That’s another. >… he has no trouble falling asleep and can do so anywhere, anytime.

That’s a third. If the doctor doesn’t prescribe a sleep test when presented with all of these symptoms *and* your suspicion that it may be apnea, then you should probably seek a second opinion. That said, your husband’s (potential) apnea may not be the complete cause of your symptoms. Many partners are able to get a good night’s sleep in the same bed with an untreated apneic. Continue to pay attention to any signs that you have a sleep problem of your own. Ryk

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It could be sleep apnea or just snoring, before you have your husband go to the expence of a sleep clinic, get him to try a mouthpiece and see if that helps. If you go to www.snoring-snoring.com you might find the answer. Best of Luck JB

Response:

"Taj1294" <taj1…@aol.com> wrote in message news:20001009150708.26999.00002428@ng-cg1.aol.com…

Symptoms and side effects in adults   Excessive daytime sleepiness (e.g. falling asleep in front of TV, at the wheel of a car etc.) Restless sleep Morning headaches Memory lapses Irritability General lethargy Slight disorientation Personality changes Sexual dysfunction (impotence) Obesity (losing weight can become difficult) Symptoms and side effects in Children Loud snoring Witnessed apneas Restless sleep Sleeping in unusual positions Excessive sweating at night Poor weight gain Bed wetting (after 6-7 years old) Behavioural changes during the day – child may be hyperactive or aggressive instead of sleepy Effects of Alcohol on OSA A person with OSA may stop breathing several hundred times a night. This is exacerbated by consumption of alcohol . At the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.05%, the brain’s response rate to an apneic episode is reduced. Mild sleep apnea can become severe with 4-5 10 oz beers. Tranquillisers and sleeping tablets also make OSA worse. Warren

Response:

Sounds like he has sleep apnea.  We don’t have problems falling asleep. He needs to have a sleep test done to confirm this so it is important that he get one done. Have him see his regular doctor and state the same so he can get referred for a sleep study. Taj1294 <taj1…@aol.com> wrote in message

news:20001009150708.26999.00002428@ng-cg1.aol.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi > I have posted here recently about my own difficulties with falling asleep and > staying asleep… I have been struggling with this for a few years now and take > Ambien regularly.  I realize now that maybe part of my problem is that my > husband seems to snore lightly and then almost snort and snore really loudly > every 20 minutes or so; often times waking me up just as I’m finally dozing off > and "jolting" me awake so that my heart is pounding when I am awakened — I > used to think that my sudden awakenings were some type of anxiety attack of my > own; but I’m thinking now that he is just startling me with his sudden > grunting, snoring and loud breathing… He also has complained of feeling > constantly tired and says he often feels like he’s ready to fall asleep at the > wheel at the end of the day on his way home.  He says no matter how much he > sleeps he never feels ‘rested’.  His dummy doctor told him to take No-Doz and > left it at that… I’m wondering now if maybe he has a more serious (and > completely undiagnosed)  physical sleep related problem .  He has always > insisted that he has no sleep problems because he has no trouble falling asleep > and can do so anywhere, anytime.  What are the signs and symptoms of sleep > apnea??? I know there has been a lot of discussion here about this subject, but > I tend to not read it because I always thought that that was not MY problem… > I was more concerned about being able to relax and fall asleep without > medication.  Now I think that maybe my husband’s sleep habits/problems have a > lot to do with my problem: I always sleep better when he is away or if I sleep > in a different room from him.  Maybe that is because he is not distubing my > light sleep! > Thanks for any insight or advice!

Response:

Hi I have posted here recently about my own difficulties with falling asleep and staying asleep… I have been struggling with this for a few years now and take Ambien regularly.  I realize now that maybe part of my problem is that my husband seems to snore lightly and then almost snort and snore really loudly every 20 minutes or so; often times waking me up just as I’m finally dozing off and "jolting" me awake so that my heart is pounding when I am awakened — I used to think that my sudden awakenings were some type of anxiety attack of my own; but I’m thinking now that he is just startling me with his sudden grunting, snoring and loud breathing… He also has complained of feeling constantly tired and says he often feels like he’s ready to fall asleep at the wheel at the end of the day on his way home.  He says no matter how much he sleeps he never feels ‘rested’.  His dummy doctor told him to take No-Doz and left it at that… I’m wondering now if maybe he has a more serious (and completely undiagnosed)  physical sleep related problem .  He has always insisted that he has no sleep problems because he has no trouble falling asleep and can do so anywhere, anytime.  What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea??? I know there has been a lot of discussion here about this subject, but I tend to not read it because I always thought that that was not MY problem… I was more concerned about being able to relax and fall asleep without medication.  Now I think that maybe my husband’s sleep habits/problems have a lot to do with my problem: I always sleep better when he is away or if I sleep in a different room from him.  Maybe that is because he is not distubing my light sleep!   Thanks for any insight or advice!

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