Okay y’all, it is DEPRESSING how long some of these submissions have been sitting! I deeply apologize how long it has taken! With my IH life has been rough, but I am grateful to be able to get back in the saddle and get things done thanks to Xyrem, which is finally giving my restful sleep!
Without further ado, here is our babe this week!
What is your name?
Lydia
Where are you from?
Asheville, NC
Tell us about why you use CPAP and how you got diagnosed.
Usual story to start: FATIGUE! I always felt tired. It didn’t matter if I slept 3 hours or twelve, I was always tired. It had been going on for years…..
Of course I’m not 20 anymore and my work/sleep schedule is chaotic, but dang… I went to the doctor and couldn’t find a reason. Then I was having heart palpitations. I had been having them on and off for more than 5 years. I had went to cardiologist once and they saw that I was having some irregular beats at times but nothing that warranted further treatment.
Then January of 2017 happened. Palpitations had increased a lot and were happening many times a hour. Yes I was procrastinating because “I knew” what they were going to say. Then one day at work I felt like I had been kicked in chest. Cold sweat. Nausea….. so to ER I went. Again they could see the episodes of irregular beats but everything else was ok. Another cardiologist follow up. But this visit went different. It was a different doc. He mentioned sleep apnea. First time I ever heard that word and me in same sentence. I was like.. NO.. Yes I am over weight and yeah fatigue, but who isn’t tired? But no snoring, no real large neck and no other symptoms. I was resistant, but the doctor was persistent. I relented to prove him wrong…. did study and to my shock they said I had it. I was very resistant and thought they were full of it.
As the CPAP Doc talked, I had a revelation. What if they are right? What if the fatigue and palpitations are related to this and I can feel better? What if I could prevent more serious problems in the future? I heard the doctor say that they are finding that many issues such as heart rhythm issues are probably related to undiagnosed/untreated sleep apnea.
What if I could improve my life but not being stupid and ignoring it? What if they are right? Something is causing it and something has to give. So I relented.
I started CPAP use in April 2017. It wasn’t easy. Went back to doc at 2 months and said I felt worse! Did another study and tried different masks. Found one that worked better. Now it is AMAZING! No I don’t feel like I am 20, but the fatigue is greatly improved and my palpitations are almost completely gone! I don’t feel like I am going to die from from exhaustion anymore. I am so glad I took it seriously and stuck with it. I know it will make my life better and I will be around to see grandchildren and maybe great grandchildren!! 🙂
What do you LOVE about CPAP treatment?
I love the fact that thanks to CPAP I feel human again! I can not express how bad I felt – physically and mentally! Now I have energy. I feel rested. I feel like I can take on the day and not be completely spent at the end of every single day. I would not trade it for anything. I owe my doctors for being persistent and helping me see the seriousness of the situation.
Any advice for other CPAP Babes?
Keep moving forward! Live life to the fullest! Stick with it and lets be healthier together.
For newbies…. stick with it!!!! It will help!
