Does anyone else have sleep issues? Undiagnosed sleep apnea ruined my life

[Beachedwhale]

NB that I thought I just had insomnia, but it turned out it was much worse than that. If you start having nightmares/sleep paralysis when sleeping on your back, or you ever feel you wake up in panic or choking, or get restless legs or limb movements, or teeth grinding or jaw pain and clicking/locking...

DON'T IGNORE THESE SYMPTOMS.

I recently found out that I have sleep apnea. I am trying to get it treated. Unfortunately because of it I completely missed out on my youth and my career was ruined and I was in a daze for years and accomplished literally nothing. Dreams crushed, body and mind and career declined. I just thought that feeling like an old man was normal in your youth and it was my fault for not sleeping enough and I just couldn't handle stress...and it wasn't helped by my mum berating and mocking me for being tired.

Or, doctors ruined my life. They would laugh and say I'm too young and healthy to have sleep apnea and say it's just depression/anxiety and I believed them.

Or, modern society/capitalism ruined my life. Not growing up in nature/dirt/a farm/organic led to allergies which led to chronic congestion which led to not enough air through the airways at night which led to sleep apnea. Also dentists. And now no job and struggling.

I have zero energy. I will either get treated and regain the energy and attempt to prosper, or else die. Either way, I win.

The real enemies in life are hidden, insidious, quiet, not loud and boisterous.

Just felt like venting.

 

[FuneralCry]

I hope you can feel better now you finally have a diagnosis. Unfortunately that is what doctors are like they are unsympathetic and say that physical problems are all in your head just so they can get rid of you and move on to the next patient rather than doing proper tests. I have had bad experiences with them.

 

[Beachedwhale]

Doctors can be absolutely awful.

And thanks. I'll try, but not holding my breath (lol).

I didn't do what I needed to do... All those years wasted.....I'm trying to hold on but feel like I just have to die no matter what.

 

[loopylou]

I have insomnia so bad I barely sleep for months. It's so damaging to a life isn't it:( I said to my doctor out of all of my diagnosis this is by far the hardest to live with

 

[WornOutLife]

Sleep has been a problem for me since I was a teenager.
However, this year, my psych prescribed me a med that's really working: Quetiapine.

I can finally sleep again!

 

[Beachedwhale]

NB that I thought I just had insomnia, but it turned out it was much worse than that. If you start having nightmares/sleep paralysis when sleeping on your back, or you ever feel you wake up in panic or choking, or get restless legs or limb movements, or teeth grinding...

DON'T IGNORE THESE SYMPTOMS.

 

[Outsider]

I have hypersomnia and chronic nasal congestion during sleep. Also teeth grinding during nighttime. Been to multiple ENTs even had surgery but problem still there and other doctors say its depression. So against all I will be trying to get sleep study next. I also have zero energy so I know how you feel.
It is sad that other ppl and even doctors don't give a fuck about problems that significantly impair human lives.

 

[Bauhaus]

CPAP is used for sleep apnea but I can't sleep with it: I can't breath naturally cos that thing blows constantly and it also makes a lot of noise.
Unfortunately most sleeping pills worsen sleep apnea. :(

 

[Beachedwhale]

CPAP is used for sleep apnea but I can't sleep with it: I can't breath naturally cos that thing blows constantly and it also makes a lot of noise.
Unfortunately most sleeping pills worsen sleep apnea. :(

Have you tried auto CPAP? It blows air only when you breathe in

 

[Donk]

It took me couple of weeks to get use to wearing a CPAP mask. Initially I felt a sense of anxiety due to difficulties breathing with the mask on. As with anything, your body will get use to it. I remember I was only able to get an hour of sleep however eventually I was able to get full night of sleep wearing the mask. It's rough in the beginning but it's worth it at the end. You might wanna try different masks as some fit better than others or try a different size. Good luck.

 

[BottomlessPit]

or get restless legs or limb movements, or teeth grinding

A few years ago my body started to spasm as soon as I fall asleep. It began with my hips and over the years the spasms changed location. For a while they were at my head, then at my feet, then at my hips again. One time it was so bad that everytime I started to spasm, it would keep me from falling asleep which was kinda scary since I knew how this can destroy people's lifes if it persists for a long time. Fortunately it lessened in intensity and I don't have any sleeping problems now (aside from teeth grinding). Let's hope it stays that way.

and it wasn't helped by my mum berating and mocking me for being tired.

Or, doctors ruined my life. They would laugh and say I'm too young and healthy to have sleep apnea and say it's just depression/anxiety and I believed them.

I am sorry you were failed by the people around you. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to have ones life in shambles just because the people who are supposed to help didn't do anything.