What's sleep??????????????

It 2:40 AM and I still can't sleep. Restless legs and pain in my knee.

I was diagnosed over a year ago. Stopped breathing over 50 times in a 5 hour period in the overnight sleep test. The next overnight was wearing a cpap and it was horrible. I thought I would never get used to one! You are right Sephia, finding the right mask is a challenge, but I found I could only use nose pillows. That is what they prescribed for me and a respiratory therapist came to my home with all the equipment and directions on how to use it. I vowed that I would do my best to wear it every night no matter how long it took me to get used to it. I did and after a few weeks started sleeping so much better! I used to wake up almost every hour and never got a good nights sleep for many, many years! I now sleep 7 hours average and sometimes 8 or 9! I feel so much better!

Trust me, if you have sleepless nights or wake up too often, talk to your doctor about it. I thought I just needed oxygen at night as I have a respiratory problem, but it was sleep apnea. I had no clue until tested.

Also, sephia mentioned you can die in your sleep, yes this is a danger with untreated sleep apnea, but also stroke or heart attack.

I had a sleep study done a few months ago. I was sure that I had severe sleep apnea. The sleep study showed that I had mild sleep apnea, my oxygen levels didn't fall low enough to qualify for Medicare to approve a CPAP. What I do have is Hypopnea, a condition which causes me to rouse out of deep sleep but not enough to completely awaken. With me, it happens 41 times per hr. It doesn't cause the dangers of sleep apnea, but it's enough to make me feel tired constantly. The sleep specialist has referred me to a dentist to have an oral appliance made to possibly help my problem. I haven't gotten to the dentist yet, as I've been dealing with a broken ankle and a lot of bad weather since Christmas. I hope to get the appliance soon and really hope it works.

My oldest son had it. They tested him when he was maybe 9 or 10 years old. He was a lot like Hellion. He had to sleep in an almost sitting up position, so he was propped up on a lot of pillows.

This is a good reminder to us all.

I had it once and that lasted for a few weeks. My case was a bit different. I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome. It's a condition that continues to weaken the muscles after decades of contracting polio.

Apparently, I was too exhausted from working condition that it effected the muscles for breathing. My line of work (with computer) didn't involved much physical strength at all. Yet, the demand of regular working schedule, even working at home, was getting overwhelmed for my body.

My doctor recommended to stop working. I love going to work and to stop was quite depressing. After a month stopped working, the sleep apnea went away. Nevertheless, certain muscles continued to weaken and I had to take permanent disability.

The positive side of it is that its process is slow and not as fast as MS or other neurological disorders. I'm limited but I am blessed; I haven't had the need for help with everyday needs yet.

Now when I have bad days (weak), I'm glad I don't have work to worry about. Doctors tend to know best even before we realize it.

Ntt_hou, I am so sorry to hear of your difficulties and challenges. I'll be sending you good, strong thoughts.

ntt_hou, I was very interested to hear about Post polio syndrome. I had polio when i was a child (when it was called infantile paralysis) and have a lot of problems with aching muscles especially if i have to walk up any sort of incline! Ive never heard of post polio syndrome and would appreciate it if you would share any info with me. Thankyou

Karen UK

Thank you rhizo_1. I don't feel sorry for myself, I hope no one feels the same for me neither. In reality, I'm still much better off than many people. It's a challenge as anything else in life with any human. The key to help it eases through our daily lives is how we view this challenge. I count my blessings every day and always in awe of how much blessings I get.

Karenmay_gw, there are lots of information on Post Polio Syndrome (aka: PPS) over the internet. Just do a search on "Post Polio Syndrome". PPS is no longer new, neurologists have been awared of it for decades now.

After you've looked it up over the internet, find a nearest neurologist in your area if you don't have one already and pay a visit. Preferrably a specialist that has knowledge of polio.

From your description, it does sound that you may have PPS now.

If you find the right doctor and you've diagnosed with PPS, the first thing the doctor will tell you is to limit your daily physical activities. The more physically active you are, the worst your symptoms will get. Basically, you'd want to avoid speeding up the symptoms and slow down getting paralized. Seek a good doctor to steer you in the right direction.

Keep in mind that each case of polio and PPS is different. Treatments, if any, are also different from patient to patient.

In the mean time, use heating pads to apply over the pain area. This simple treatment has been helping me to avoid having to take pain medication.

Best wishes to you Karen.

I can tell that you don't feel sorry for yourself. I had an employee many years ago who struggled with PPS, and I was always very proud of him. He finally had to quit work, too; it was a physically demanding job on my nursery. But he continued to come in regularly, just to keep everybody company. We didn't feel sorry for him either, lol.