Sleep Apnea Support Group
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of sleep disturbances.
I'm sure my original topic is lost in the back pages....Basically I wrote that: I'm tired all day again, falling asleep like narcolepsy. I use my CPAP every night. I started taking Provigil. This is a powerful wake up med. but it made me tired instead of waking me up. I was so pumped for taking this med. Energy back, sharp mind, weight loss. When it had the opposite affect on me I lost all hope.
My PCP sent me to a Neurologist. Who I saw today. That was kind of a wasted trip since he told me that all my problems stem from OSA. He set me up with another sleep doc for another sleep study UGH!
Back to the narcolepsy, which my primary doc swore I had and I did too. It seems that we can't have both! It's one or the other. And since I've been diagnosed with OSA, the other is off the table.
I'm anxious to get "fixed" again but the entire procedure is a pain in the ass. I hope I can get to see this new doc within a few days. If I get pushed back too far, I'm done.
My PCP sent me to a Neurologist. Who I saw today. That was kind of a wasted trip since he told me that all my problems stem from OSA. He set me up with another sleep doc for another sleep study UGH!
Back to the narcolepsy, which my primary doc swore I had and I did too. It seems that we can't have both! It's one or the other. And since I've been diagnosed with OSA, the other is off the table.
I'm anxious to get "fixed" again but the entire procedure is a pain in the ass. I hope I can get to see this new doc within a few days. If I get pushed back too far, I'm done.
It's interesting that you were told that you can't have OSA and narcolepsy. I know of 2 other people diagnosed with both.
I have one suggestion for you to consider, completely unrelated to SA. Have you had your thyroid checked? And not just the basic blood test but the T3 and T4? For years my doctor would give me the basic thyroid blood test which always came back negative. In the last couple of years, even with CPAP use I was still feeling tired. I got a new doctor at the end of last year, who gave me the more comprehensive thyroid test and sure enough my thyroid was under active. I'm on a thyroid med now and it has made a difference. I still have SA, and still must use my CPAP but even a good night's sleep can't fix all things, such as an under active thyroid.
Let us know how things go with the new doc and the next sleep test.
It's interesting the Narcolepsy, my sister has OSA like me and is still exhusted during the day but doesn't have to have naps like she used too. She had a home sleep study first time and now our Sleep Specialist beleives she may have Narcolepsy as well and is going for another hospital sleep study next month so he contradicts what yours is saying. I don't know who is wrong and how is right, plaese keep us updated.
Liz, I've asked about those thyroid tests but my old doc always brushed my concerns off. I've been told that my thyroid numbers are normal. Perhaps with this new PCP I have, I can push him. I won't see him until after my sleep test is done - per his orders.
Tez, It's a matter of hurry up and wait. I'm hoping time flies!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19699146
They have to do ALL the thyroid tests to get an accurate picture. Your doc must specify each test separately to get all the results they need to treat you correctly.
As far as the narcolepsy and OSA, every doc has his/her own opinion on everything. It's kind of like asking someone who is color blind to distinguish between red and green. If they can't see it, then it doesn't exist.
Maybe the sleep center will have a cancellation. Fingers crossed for you.