I think I may suffer from sleep apnoea...

[Psychopsilocybin]

Over the last few years I would go through bouts of waking up not breathing approximately 4-6 times a night. I always put it down to me holding my breath in my sleep.

Over the last couple of months, I've been doing it more frequently. I mentioned it once to DP and he said he has heard me doing it too. Only he has also mentioned how very restless in my sleep I can be and complains my snoring is keeping him awake. I'm regularly tired throughout the day and my sex drive has taken a nosedive too. I often wake with a sore throat too but it only lasts an hour or so.

Should I go doctors about it? I heard sleep apnoea can raise the risk of a heart attack.

Yes, you need to go to the GP and ask to be referred to the sleep clinic. It may take some time but it's very simple to do the sleep test and being given a device to help you breathe better at night can make an enormous difference to your quality of life, as well as decreasing other risks as you say.

In the meantime are you able to tackle any other factors that might be contributing - weight, alcohol?

Oh, you sound like DP!

Weight is fine - could lose 4-5lb but nothing drastic. I haven't been able to drink in 6 weeks due to painkillers I'm on but on a normal week, I may have a glass of wine on a weekend. Are there any other factors that can make it worse? I think I've worked out I do it more frequently when I'm stressed. (like now, I have the possibility of surgery on my spine looming).

Well the painkillers could well be factor if they're horse tablets (my DH takes a dose that would stun an ox every night - and stops breathing something ridiculous like 300 times) - has the breathing/snoring got worse particularly since you've been on them? You said it's got worse over the last few months, and you've been on the painkillers for the last 6.

I don't think stress is particularly known to be a factor - have a look at the NHS Choices page for more.

I wasn't accusing you of being overweight, btw, on the internet we are all supermodels but weight is a known factor in sleep apnoea, as is alcohol - although a coupla pounds and a glass of wine once a week are not risk factors!

I'm on pregabalin and co-drydamol. Nothing too heavy but yes, DP says I've been hellish to sleep with lately. I don't think I'm doing it 300 times a night Well, I hope not!

Thanks for the link, I'd best get down the doctors soon. I've been there so frequently lately, I hate the place!

DH takes pregabalin as well. Perhaps you can ask the surgery if they do frequent flier miles or loyalty points . I have often been tempted to suggest the same to mine but doubt it would be met with any great hilarity.

Can your DP sleep somewhere else? DH and I have never really been able to share a room but his is very extreme. However, there's no point both of you getting an absolutely shit night's sleep.

I've told him to sleep elsewhere but he won't, the sofa is the only option. Poor man!

Looking at that link, I'm not a typical person for apnoea. I am not male, overweight, over 40, menopausal, no family history etc. I can't entirely blame it in the medication as it's been happening for the last 4/5 years. (from the age of 21)

Strange.

do you have big tonsils?

i used to get it when had tonsilitis

giraffes I have no idea! I've never had tonsilitis so they've never been examined.

giraffe! At least I only accused Psycho of being a fat drunk, not having over-sized tonsils too

:o I'm not offended in the slightest. But it is odd being asked if your tonsils are on the large side, its not an everyday question!

Mine were massive, but they got taken out almost a year ago, infact it might be about my tonsilectomy anniversary....is that worth a party?!

On the serious side I used to wake up gasping and feel myself sitting upright, was more like i was being pulled to sit up, was like an involuntary thing. Was horrid.

giraffes, on The West Wing they introduced the term 'annivorcery' (anniversary of your divorce) why not 'annivectomy'?

I might go and look up the date - facebook timeline has its uses