Hospital appointment and bloody terrified

[BollocksToBrexit]

I'm off to the hospital soon to get the results of my assessment for sleep apnea. I can't believe how anxious I am. I can't breathe properly and feel like I'm about to have a heart attack or something. Last night I kept waking up having panic attacks. I've never been like this before.

How daft am I.

You will be fine! I had to get my results years ago and I ended up needing an adenoidectomy and a tonsillectomy. It wasn’t that bad as they were very good at explaining things and putting me at ease. Hugs to you!

Bless you. It does sound a bit silly but none of us are totally rational. I didn't go to my last practice nurse appt because I was sick of them, (and i abhor people missing appointments) and that's not a logical reaction either. Hope it goes well for you today x

I think I'm actually terrified that they'll say they found nothing. That the tests showed everything was normal.

I've had 20 years of feeling so tired that I can't function. I haven't worked for 15 years and as it's got worse and worse I just don't do anything. I have no life. I feel like if I just close my eyes I'll sleep for a hundred years. Except I don't. Numerous tests over the years and they've never found anything.

So this is it. My last hope. In an hour and a half I'll be finding out if I can get any quality of life back or not.

I had my tonsils out years ago but I do have a constant stuffy nose. None of my doctors have ever show any interest in finding out why. I just get given anti histamines and get told to get rid of my cat (never going to happen).

I did this test recently, I spent the night having panic attacks and PTSD episodes (and have ever since). I very much doubt they got enough data for diagnosis. I'm dreading my appointment too. I'm terrified they'll say I need the machine as due to another condition I have I cant just be given one because it's very risky, though given I couldn't cope with the test I've no chance with the machine. My PTSD is treatment resistant having had it over 25 years and done multiple therapy treatments which have just compounded it.

Even if it shows you don't have sleep apnoea they might have suggestions that can help you or perhaps other tests? When I was having my first appointment the woman before me was told she didn't have it and she screamed over and over they were wrong she did. The dr was really good and said they'd now look at other things that could be effecting their sleep and would refer them to the specialist sleep clinic. So even if they say you don't have it that doesn't necessarily mean they're just going to send you on your way. Hopefully they'll be able to find what's going on and help.

My husband must either really love me or be deaf as a post. It's confirmed I have severe sleep apnea and I snore all night at around 80/90 decibels. That's like sleeping next to someone using a power tool. He's never said a thing.

Hope you are feeling much better. It must be a relief to have a diagnosis. Do you know what happens now?

Suspect, I should investigate similar.

I hope they can now sort out treatment to help you.

I have another appointment in 3 weeks to be fitted with a machine that keeps my airway open as I sleep.

He said that the nasal congestion should get better, the daily morning headache should disappear, my weight may start to go down, I'll have more energy, my dizzy and weak spells will go and I won't wake up feeling like I haven't even been to bed.

Can't wait. I'm so happy. This could change my life.

Wow that sounds like a life changing appointment! Maybe time you get husband a hearing test though!

I know someone who has CPAP and it's changed her life. Hope it does for you

Sounds really promising. I hope you feel like a new woman very soon. x

Today's the big day. Off to get my breathing machine soon. I've very excited and a little bit terrified too.

Woo OP! Best wishes and hopefully it’ll be a success for you!

Best wishes OP. my mum was diagnosed last year and felt very similar to you. One year on she's got a machine that is practically silent, sleeps well, and doesn't wake up panicked or breathless. I know it's likely to take some getting used to but I wanted to share a positive story on this big day!

Brilliant news! All the best

I have sleep apnoea and using a CPAP machine has changed my life. I used to want to sleep 10 hours per day, fall asleep in the car, had no energy and was always in bed by 9pm. I now function as a 'normal' human being. But please be aware, sometimes it can take a while to get used to the mask - months even. I started with a full mask then changed to nose pillows which were far better as I used to feel very claustrophobic. It probably took me 12 months to feel comfortable with it, but I wouldn't be without it now. Keep posting for advice if you think it will help.

Hi OP. Hope your appointment went well? Just to say my brother was diagnosed with sleep apnea years ago and uses CPAP machine which he says helps a lot. He's also fitter/exercising more as he's trying to keep his weight down. Apparently being overweight often goes hand in hand with sleep apnea (unsure whether or not that's also a problem for you though)?

I must be cursed. I've woken up with a stinking cold.

But apart from that, I feel like a new person. My head was clear the moment I woke up instead of thick with fog until after and ocean of coffee. I've done more this morning than I'd normally do in a week. Although I've had to switch off now as my body isn't up to being so active after 20 years of doing nothing.

I've put on so much weight over the years. The doctor did say that it makes the apnea worse, but he also said the apnea could well be the cause of my weight gain too. It's a vicious cycle which hopefully now will be broken.

I think it'll take some time to get used to the mask. It did wake me up quite a few times last night. But 20 times due to the mask is still better than the 200 times due to the apnea.

I actually want to cry today at how well I feel, even with a stinky a cold. There's also a bit a sadness creeping in at all the lost years. But overall I am just so happy to be on the road to being normal again.

Oh, that's so good to hear you're on the mend.
Fingers crossed your cold will shift soon and you'll really feel the benefit.

Glad to hear you are on the mend, makes and for all who are supporting you with this, passes it around.

I had the oxygen sats overnight monitor last November but my results weren't clear cut and it was done by neurology so been referred to respiratory but its a 19 month wait at the earliest.

In the meantime, neurologist recommended Snore Lab app which I have been using on my phone overnight, an home oxygen sats monitor which records for 8 hours at a time and things have improved slightly since I started using a set of nasal dilator clip which seems to be helping according to my home SATs monitor

Each evening I place this in my nose and while it feels weird for the first while, as my head becomes clearer as I am getting uninterrupted flow of oxygen to the brain, it helps, no side effects once get used to, some of my other health problems are slightly better as an effect of getting proper rest.

I look like a right get up when Im in bed (really sexy not), earplugs to block out noise, eyemask for light sensitivity, nasal clips and finally wrist splints to help my carpal tunnel.