Anyone Have A Serious Sleep Problem?

Does anyone else have a serious sleep problem? The VA finally diagnoised me as having Sleep Apnea and I'm using a CPAP machine but my problem is still getting worse. My doctor keeps telling me that the CPAP machine will help my problem but I believe I have a more serious sleep disorder or some type of insomia. I see no changes in my sleep using this machine and I'm actually getting even worse sleep. I've only gotten about 10 days of good sleep since January and its seriously affecting my health.
It got so bad that I had to go on disability from work.

My son was diagnosed with sleep apnea, being the worst one they had ever seen. He is 20. He actually stopped breathing about 45 times in a minute. Very serious. The Cpap machine is supposed to help but it has to be set with the correct setting as it won't help unless it is. Are you on oxygen during the day? That is a key supplement if you are really bad. Also, if you take any over the counter meds to sleep that is especially bad. Pain medication is also bad in your case. Email me at djvanduyne@mchsi.com and we can discuss things a little more.

Call the people who set up the machine and your doctor so they can adjust the air pressure. Those machines work great if they are adjusted correctly.

Have they made you give up caffeine yet? If, not, try eliminating caffeine from your life (and that means chocolate and Excedrin as well as coffee and espresso).

If you have serious sleep disturbances, it may be your brain trying to signal you that you are depressed. Have you been seen by a psychiatrist? Also keep in mind that the machine may be keeping you awake. You may need sleeping pills to help you sleep.

I think that i have a sleeping problem but I dont think Its as bad as what you have... I wake up constantly throughout the night, eat a snack and get a drink then try to go back to sleep...

How did you know something was wrong? Besides the not getting sleep part?

I would go to another doc and get a second opinion
cpap machines are supposed to be good for sleep apnea

I do not. I like to sleep. I fall asleep well, but wake up quite early without alarm. I wish I could sleep in.

Were you diagnosed after spending one or more nights in a sleep lab (where doctors monitored you while you slept)? If so, sleep apnea is a pretty obvious disorder and is easily diagnosed (and accurately diagnosed) this way. If you did spend a night in a sleep lab and this diagnosis was the outcome, I think it's very safe to assume you DO have sleep apnea. That said, sleep apnea may not be your ONLY sleep problem.

Additionally, the CPAP machine may not be set optimally, either. The pressure can be adjusted, and it may not be set to the right pressure for you. If you just started using the CPAP machine recently, as well, your initial worsening of sleep may simply be caused by the fact you aren't used to the machine itself. It's loud, it's not that comfortable, etc. With time, you may adjust better to it and find that it really is helping you sleep through the night better.

That said, I'd suggest you keep pressing your doctor for more help with this problem. Not getting enough sleep is extremely bad for you -- it puts a strain on your entire body and can weaken your immune system and affect your cardiovascular health. Sleep apnea is also extremely bad for your heart, so it's important that you get it treated correctly. If your doc continues to dismiss your concerns, FIND A NEW DOCTOR who will listen to you. And if you haven't done a night or two in a sleep lab yet, press your doctor for a referral to one, as this is the best way to diagnose any serious sleep disorder.

Hang in there!

no problem..., I Have your problem and Living la vida loca

Just for kicks, go to WalMart and invest $10 in those Breathe Right strips...they work wonders...otherwise, Ambien is a very good sleeping pill unless you don't have insurance and then it's very expensive...can you sleep during the day? Maybe your natural clock is just backwards like mine.

Insomnia (sleeplessness) is due to stress, dietary and medical
problems. By making small lifestyle changes like having a fixed
daily routine, relaxing and eating properly, insomnia can be
cured. I found the information at http://tinyurl.com/jfzpz useful
for getting sleep.