I found out I have sleep apnea about 3 months ago after begging my Dr to find out why I wasn't feeling rested even on my good days. I am actually sleeping more than 2 hours a night now and having dreams for the first time in years. I am just now waking up semi-rested since I am still getting used to my machine but, it is better. Also, I went to the dentist today and they are going to fit me with a device for my TMJ to hel relax my jaw when sleeping and when wearing my CPAP mask. They also say I can wear this device when I see that I am under alot of stress. I am hoping for more days and nights of peaceful sleeping. Good luck on getting a diagnosis. I will prey for you and your family and all those around you during the CA fires. Rhonda

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea 3 years ago after having a sleep study done. My doctor said everybody with fibro should have sleep study because it is very common, he also said RLS is common, and we need all the sleep we can get, so it's important to work on the things we can. I really didn't think I was waking up during the night, but the study showed I woke up an average of 27 times an hour!No wonder I was so tired. He immediately put me on cpap with humidifier and an oxygen bleed-in, which just means there is an extra hose that adds oxygen to the air I'm breathing. (a cpap by itself uses room air). It took awhile to get used to it, but once I did, I found that I do feel more rested. I have RLS also, so I still don't sleep well, but better. Awhile back I had a problem with my machine, had to spend a couple of nights without it, and it was awful. I felt like I'd been rode hard and put up wet. Total exhaustion, which of course meant more pain, more stress, hello merry-go-round. I use it very time I lie down, not just at night, but for naps also. When I'm having a bad day, I take a warm shower, darken my room, put on my most comfy nitey and cpap and nap. It really helps, I don't think I could get by without it now. I do think the humidifier is very important, for me anyway, because the cpap does dry out your nose and mouth. By the way there is a community for sleep apnea here on DS.
Best of luck to you. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help if I can.

I had a sleep study about 6 months ago, I had episodes but, not enough to call it sleep apena. My oxygen level drops low, I have RLS, and the limb movement. The tech. said I moved all night.
I never go into stage 3 and 4 of sleep.
I have the nasal oxygen and it is helping me.
Good Luck
I will be praying for you.

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea last spring before I was diagnosed with FMS. I complained to my doc that I was so tired all the time and he sent me for the sleep study. I have severe sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. The cpap did help me to get more rested sleep although I still have alot of trouble getting to sleep. I get up 3 - 4 times a night to use the bathroom but I usually go right to sleep. I still feel really tired at times but nothing compared to before. The cpap can be a pain in the butt, with struggling with the hose and the right strap across the face and head but I wouldn't be able to survive without it. If you can test out a couple masks to make sure they are comfortable. I use the cannula (sp?) because the full mask made me break out. Good luck and hope all is well there with the fires. I lived in the Chula Vista, Imperial Beach area of San Diego for 12 years, ohhhh how I miss the weather. Dawn

I was dx'd just a few weeks ago. I was waking up 14 times an hour but did not know it. I do not have severe but just a mild case. They put me on a cpap with a humidifier which is great. I am still trying to get used to the mask and the hose. It can be a pain but it has helped me to feel a little more rested in the morning.