British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

Hi, I posted yesterday but it must have got lost. I have seen my GP this week after having had an ECG for possible heart problems!

It all started after I asked my asthma nurse about waking up gasping and feeling terrified. She thought it might be heart and sent me for the ECG which came back clear.

The nurse had also suggested that it might be sleep apnoea. My GPs first thought was that as I am female and not hugely overweight it was highly unlikely.

She gave me some info to take home to read. I eventually persuaded my husband to read it. He immediately said that it sounded exactly like me with alll the odd noises and 'stopping breathing' when I snore. When I asked him how long it has been going on he said 'Always'. That is 28 years!! And he never told me!!

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a few years ago and also have acid reflux. When I read up the info on here last night lots of it fits with my symptoms. Although I don't want to have sleep apnoea part of me wants it to be something that can be controlled as I want some of my previous life back. It may seem odd but I am worried they will test me , say it isn't that and I am back to square one.

When I was a child I had lots of episodes of waking up by having massive gasps and my body then shaking uncontrollably for hours. My parents decided I was afraid of the dark, which I definitely was not. Since I have been married I thought it had all stopped until the last few months.

I hope alll of this doesn't sound like aimless rambling.

poohbear

Welcome to the forum.

The sleep test will show if you have sleep apnoea and if you have then you will hopefully receive help from the NHS.

Try this test on line on this site

http://www.britishsnoring.co.uk/sleep_apnoea/epworth_sleepiness_scale.php

This will give you some indication or this one

http://www.britishsnoring.co.uk/berlin_questionnaire.php

Mac

Hi poohbear,I also say go and get the test done,if anything it will put you're mind at ease.
Their is nothing to be afraid off,the tests are painless and easy, I hope you're having a good day from you're Fibromyalgia, I seem to have alot of the same symtoms for it. Try and keep you're chin up,and let us know how you get on.Their are a lot of good people on this forum whom will give good sound advice, so no question sounds silly.
Best regards Jim.

I'm 27

Not overweight

& have severe sleep aponea


..... so it is possible.

Thanks saturdaynight, you gave me extra confidence knowing that it is okay not to fit the criteria.

Is it usual to have the test kit for just one night? I think at the beginning of the discussion I was told they did home tests for a week then was given one to take back the next day.

Yes, it's quite normal for just one overnight to produce sufficient data to make a diagnosis. My diagnosis over 12 years ago was based on an overnight home study! It may seem a very small window in which to collect such significant results, but believe me, you won't even be aware of what it can detect!

There are always statistics that can be applied to any group ... eg weight, sex, hair colour, age, preferred brand of chocolate or tea etc .... and we know that they can always be massaged in favour of an argument ... so don't worry if you don't fall within the 'expected' sample!!! All sleep apnoea sufferers need diagnosis and treatment regardless of their vital statistics!!