Saturday 12 November 2011

Me Not Healthy: Always Tired (Part 3)

It's been a while but I've finally been able to go see my doctor and discuss a few things with him. Anyone who isn't sure what I'm talking about can catch up by reading Part 2 and/or Part 1.

First things first, we go over the data that was given with the new CPAP mask. The good news was that I had a significant reduction in apneas. I was waking up maybe like, 3 times a night or something at the very best which is a huge improvement over 15 times at worst.

The bad news was that even with the apnea reductions I was still waking up tired.

Sometimes even too tired to finish a blog post.

So my doctor recommends that I stop using it. I'm not seeing any visible improvements, I haven't got used to the thing even after a month of trying it, it's just not working out. I mean, the most sleep I ever get with the thing is maybe 5 hours? And it's usually because I wake up and tear it off my face so I can sleep more comfortably.

The CPAP was helping to reduce apneas but wasn't addressing the actual cause of them. The next logical thing was to check the most likely offenders; my thyroid, my tonsils, or my jaw. If my thyroid was enlarged it could be pressing down on my windpipe, causing me to choke and wake up in my sleep. Same thing applies to my tonsils except if they could be closing off my throat. Lastly, my jaw could be falling back and crushing something.

It's like my own body wants to kill me.

So, Doctor touches the side of my neck. Nope. No enlarged thyroids.

Doctor looks down my throat with a light. Nope. No enlarged tonsils.

And then he tells me that I'd need to see my dentist to verify if there are any jaw problems.

So, we still don't know what's wrong with me.

Back where we started...

It's not all bad though. He booked an appointment for me to go see a sleep specialist in a few weeks and we got more x-rays because I think there might be something wrong with my lungs again. But we'll see, I don't think I'll be falling over dead any time soon.

Unless it turns out I have gastrointestinal problems too...

Link to Part 4.

51 comments:

  1. I hope you aren't going to fall over dead anytime soon..haha...pain in the butt when they don't know what it is, been there.

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  2. Ughh. Little is more frustrating than being directed from doctor to doctor without any answers.

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  3. good thing your getting to see a specialist, hope iTs nothing bad!

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  4. Square one. It's almost like I want something to be wrong with your jaw, just so I can know what's wrong with you.

    But really, I want you to be fine and stuff. Because I'm a good person and all that. Yeah.

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  5. I really hope that no, you don't fall down and die any time soon. That would be pretty bad. I hope you find the cause and get it solved though.

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  6. Awww... sorry dude, that sucks. Have you tried Cocaine™? It's a hell of a drug I hear. Seriously though, check your sinus cavity. My brother had to have his turbenoids shaved (I've had mine shaved, but that was for reconstructive surgery), and it was solely so he could breathe better. He was choking and gasping in his sleep and feeling... well, just like you describe. Hope you figure it out.

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  7. Hang in there man. At least it is getting somewhat better.

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  8. How long have you been like this? Guess you can only hope for the best, and at least your condition doesn't seem life-threatening! I get the annoyance factor though, because I have this thing where my jaw continually dislocates, and it might have something to do with me grinding my teeth when I sleep. So yeah, it's always a bit inconvenient and painful when your jaw pops out at the most ridiculous times :/

    Hope you get better!

    WEMAKEPLANS

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  9. Sorry to hear that man. Hopefully they can figure out exactly what's wrong and fix it.

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  10. that's terrible :(
    I wish nothing but good health for you. take care always :)

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  11. Hope you get better.

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  12. lol, it's kinda interesting reading about how this whole lack-of-sleep thing is working out. Hope everything turns out okay.

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  13. I'm always tired, too. Maybe I should go to the doctor.

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  14. Hope you can change the words on that street sign VERY soon.

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  15. So you're still left in the dark... Pretty shitty, best of luck with this.

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  16. I hate not knowing what is causing the problems I have either. At least when you know, you can deal with it. Hope you find out soon.

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  17. It's horrible to hear about your health problems although at the same time it's very interesting as well. I hope things work out for the best buddy, always being tired must be a serious bitch, I hate being occasionally tired!

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  18. oh, my so many visits to doctors...

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  19. as bad as this sounds i think u need some shots of hard liquor, that'll fix ya up

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  20. Well, I hope all goes well for you. Hang in there. :)

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  21. Since you haven't posted about it in a long time, I though it was gone. I really hope your doctors could figure out the problem soon so you could get some proper sleep.

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  22. I've heard that most of those unexplainable "diseases" are probably stress related..try to meditate :P

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  23. Maybe it's psychosomatic; I just felt like saying that to sound cool, but it could be, if they can't find anything physically wrong with you.

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  24. Well, good luck with the dentist. And just hope you don't have intestinal problems.

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  25. Sounds lame man, I'll hope for the best

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  26. Luckily I don't suffer from restless nights, I do seem to get a lot of mouth ulcers though which are linked to tiredness/stress.

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  27. Stick with the CPAP if it's working at all; I know a few people for whom it's done wonders. I hope you get to the root of your problem and that it isn't too serious.

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  28. Yech, problem after problem. Why can't doctors be more magical.

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  29. Hehe, check out the new Oglaf comic. Reminded me of you^^
    http://oglaf.com/sircoffee/1/

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  30. Wow that must really suck, I'm sorry if I have forgotten but did you always have these problems? Being in University and having sleeping problems is the worst possible combination.

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  31. I get 5h/sleep every night, so I know what it is like to wake up every day tired..
    Also hope they find the problem so they can "fix" it.

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  32. Dude, you must have some excellent health insurance. Sorry to hear you are yeet again in the doctor's office, but best of luck getting everything under control!

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  33. This sounds like a really serious problem. I hope your doctors can give you the right solution soon so you can rest better. All the best. :)

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  34. i take somnifer
    pills to sleep, since 2005

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  35. Oh young one, I'm so sorry that your health problems are still continuing. You have more courage than most people I know. Hang in there.

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  36. Yeah, good thing about the health insurance.

    Out here, I would have to triple check the coverage terms and worry about the bill for ANY kind of procedure. Hope whatever causing it is harmless.

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  37. Good luck, man.

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  38. Gaaaa! You've got to catch a break - and not the kind involving crunchy bones. Praying they find the cause! Have they looked into Restless Leg Syndrome? Honestly, I have no idea if it can cause Apnea or not, but it seems to me if your body is dancing around all night, you'd probably wake up a fair amount.... Praying for you!

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  39. burn the sickness away with liquors

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  40. See and all of my friends told me I had to lose weight to stop snoring. All I need is that mask thingy.

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  41. Good luck. Maybe you should go see Dr. House. lol ;)

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  42. I have a friend who might need to have his jaw reset for his apnea...CPAP wasn't working for him either. I've heard some people say cutting out caffeine and sugar, especially after supper, can help you sleep through the night a little easier. Good luck and hope you feel better!

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  43. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

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