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Somnolence, what do you know please?
#1
Somnolence, what do you know please?
I saw my sleep specialist yesterday, finally, and he told me my extreme tiredness is probably due to me having 'somnolence'.
He did not offer any solutions other than dropping one of my medications by one tablet if possible and trying to work it out for myself.
I will also work on my ten kilos I have to lose, try and exercise more, eat better and do all the right things which I am basically doing now anyway.
He also said to leave my pressure at 6 as I am getting good results at there.

I am just wondering if anyone else here has this problem or if you know anything about it please?

I went in there hoping to leave with a cure for my extreme tiredness but alas it was not to be Oh-jeez
Sleep Tight...
Gabby
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#2
RE: Somnolence, what do you know please?
Based on this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somnolence It sounds like he's trying to tell you that you like? sleeping too much, or that you have one (or more) of many other conditions and that he doesn't want to deal with them. That's my feeling, based on what you wrote, basically, a cop-out answer.

I tend to want to sleep 10-14hr daily, which makes my days way too short. Part of my problem is due to Pain MGNT and the opioid pain meds I take. It's an ugly dance for me.

One other point to consider? In the scheme of things, you haven't been on CPAP for that long yet. Perhaps this will slowly get better on it's own over time?

Lastly, have you tried simply sleeping longer than usual at night? If you got more regular sleep would this help?
*I* am not a DOCTOR or any type of Health Care Professional.  My thoughts/suggestions/ideas are strictly only my opinions.

"Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you. Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your Soul, the other for your Freedom."
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#3
RE: Somnolence, what do you know please?
(05-06-2014, 05:27 PM)Gabby Wrote: I saw my sleep specialist yesterday, finally, and he told me my extreme tiredness is probably due to me having 'somnolence'.
He did not offer any solutions other than dropping one of my medications by one tablet if possible and trying to work it out for myself.
I will also work on my ten kilos I have to lose, try and exercise more, eat better and do all the right things which I am basically doing now anyway.
He also said to leave my pressure at 6 as I am getting good results at there.

I am just wondering if anyone else here has this problem or if you know anything about it please?

I went in there hoping to leave with a cure for my extreme tiredness but alas it was not to be Oh-jeez

He gave to you a symptom, not a diagnosis.

You're tired all the time - you knew that.

I'm not a doctor -- areas to explore might be:
depression, diabetes, thyroid, medications...

Was the med he reduced a beta blocker? -- they can zap the energy out of people.

Some people with OSA also have a spectrum of other issues --weight, blood pressure, diabetes, et cetera.

Probably should work with your GP on other avenues.
Stay with your xPAP.
Admin Note:
JustMongo passed away in August 2017
Click HERE to read his Memorial Thread

~ Rest in Peace ~
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#4
RE: Somnolence, what do you know please?
Just throwing out ideas? As someone that just went through it, when did you last have any blood-work done? Anemia (low blood count) will really make a person tired.

I agree with Mongo - bring your PCP doc into the picture and see if anything outside the OSA can be the cause here?
*I* am not a DOCTOR or any type of Health Care Professional.  My thoughts/suggestions/ideas are strictly only my opinions.

"Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you. Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your Soul, the other for your Freedom."
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#5
RE: Somnolence, what do you know please?
Thanks Peter and Mongo. I am really pleased you cleared the fact up that Somnolence is a symptom and not a diagnosis. Maybe I should have pressed him more.
I have had necessary blood works done and they show up ok.
I do not go to sleep much before 11.30 pm at night. My thinking is if I try and sleep earlier I am scared I will wake in the night and not be able to get back to sleep.
You are probably right about me getting more night time sleep.
No my medication is not a beta blocker.
It is in the opiod category used for my migraines, so I will try and cut that down by from 24mg a day to 16mg a day, ie one tablet. I already have my other two meds. cut to the lowest I can afford to go, before they would be detrimental to my pain.

Thank you both for taking the time to answer me.
I know now I just have to try and work my life around this horrid sleepiness and do the best I can.
Also Peter I hope you are right in saying CPAP may still kick in and help me with this problem being only early days.
Sleep Tight...
Gabby
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#6
RE: Somnolence, what do you know please?
Gabby,
sorry you are still feeling tired. You will get this figured out. I
remember that you do have mouthleaks. Just out of curiosity
what are your leak numbers? I've learned from this forum that
our ahi can be low with high leaks. With high leaks we are not
getting the full benefit of cpap. Just an idea - it happenned to me.
I am trialing the Simplus now.




2010 sleep study 63 AHI
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#7
RE: Somnolence, what do you know please?
I know this might sound like a shallow suggestion but:

Drink lots of coffee or tea. Trust me.

It takes you out of that always want to sleep feeling and gets you going. Next step is to exercise, walk or move your body so your brain doesn't want to sleep 24/7. It helps me, but you have to make coffee and exercise a habit or else you fall back into the always wanting to sleep feeling 24/7.
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#8
RE: Somnolence, what do you know please?
Readyforsleep, thank you for your kind reply. I do have my leaks under control these days and I am not too concerned with them.
The sleep clinic also said my leaks were very good as well.
I am just going to take care of what other factors I am able to deal with myself and work on them and hope for the best.

SnuffySleeper, thanks for your tips, I already drink about four cups of coffee a day and on the days when I need to stay away I take caffein tablets and they do the job, mostly.
You are right about exercise. I hate exercise and always have but from this week have started a short walk with a hill on the way back. When I can walk up the hill with no effort I will extend the walk.
I realise I have to do this and I am determined to do all the things necessary to rid myself of this horrid tiredness as I cannot imagine living every day feeling so terribly worn out.

Thank you both.
Sleep Tight...
Gabby
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#9
RE: Somnolence, what do you know please?
We are rooting for you. You can do it. I know how horrible
it is to feel tired. Go go girl!
2010 sleep study 63 AHI
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#10
RE: Somnolence, what do you know please?
(05-08-2014, 05:45 PM)readyforsleep Wrote: We are rooting for you. You can do it. I know how horrible
it is to feel tired. Go go girl!

Thanks so much!
I hope all is going well in your CPAP world and you are a reaping the benefits.
Sleep-well
Sleep Tight...
Gabby
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