![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on June 10, 2004, at 12:41:42
I went to the darn sleep doctor/neurologist today and he sounds absolutely positive that I have narcolepsy and sleep apnea. The narcolepsy because of my involuntary naps, or forgetting sleeps, which I think are purely pscyhological escape mechanisms because they only happen when I'm upset. And the apnea because my husband says I snore and because I have a tight throat, whatever that means.
I tried to explain to him that dissociation is my primary coping mechanism, and that I think the sleeps are just another variation on that theme, but he didn't buy it.
He said the fact that I hear background chatter as I fall asleep when I'm really tired is a really common symptom of narcolepsy, and did I really think that was normal? Good thing he didn't know about my uncle who has narcolepsy (I just found out). In my mother's vast array of siblings there is someone with almost every malady in the world.
So now I'm supposed to take a sleep test. My husband doesn't want me to take it. I don't really want to take it. I don't want to have narcolepsy, I don't want to sleep with an apnea machine, and even if I do have narcolepsy, I don't want to lose my forgetting sleeps.
I really want to just refuse to schedule the appointment for the sleep clinic. :(
Posted by All Done on June 10, 2004, at 12:56:22
In reply to Sleep test to be scheduled., posted by Dinah on June 10, 2004, at 12:41:42
Why doesn't your husband want you to take the test, Dinah? Are you resisting because you don't want confirmation of a narcolepsy or apnea diagnoses?
I think for your own physical health, well-being, and *safety* (and perhaps that of your son's), maybe you should take the test. I would hate for something to happen that can be avoided in the first place. But I'm not very familiar with the treatment options. Do you know what they would be able to do for you besides the sleep apnea machine?
I'm sorry you are having to go through this, but first and foremost I hope you can take care of yourself even if it means scheduling a test you're not looking forward to.
(((((Dinah)))))
Take care,
Laurie
Posted by B2chica on June 10, 2004, at 13:21:44
In reply to Sleep test to be scheduled., posted by Dinah on June 10, 2004, at 12:41:42
i too am wondering why your husband does not want you to take this test?
But i would suggest at least finding out, maybe there are other options other treatments besides this machine. sorry i don't know much about narcolepsy treatment. But from what i understand "N" can be quite serious.
And in all honestly, i think if you are having these spontaneous naps because of buried emotional issues, then my guess is when you "let them out" then you will stop these naps. and who knows, maybe you won't have narcolepsy anymore either (that is if you even have it now).
AND For a Very Selfish reason...i love your posts here and though i only know the cyber you, i love ya and i hope you to be floating these boards for years to come. You need to be and stay healthy.I wouldn't even think about machines or more pills or anything else at this point. IMHO you should take this "test" this way you will know for sure one way or another and you can take that next step of treatment then.
PLease take care. Best Wishes
B2c.
Posted by partlycloudy on June 10, 2004, at 13:59:52
In reply to Sleep test to be scheduled., posted by Dinah on June 10, 2004, at 12:41:42
I completely agree - your health and well-being come first. A friend of mine had a sleep study done after she suffered a one-time only seizure. She said it was no big deal (uncomfortable having sticky sensor thingies stuck all over her head so on), and she wore a monitor on what looked like a baby-sack harness for a few days. The outcome was that they told her she was sleep deprived, and that was that. (She has also been put on Lexapro since that study was performed, FWIW.)
But it is worth it to rule out potential problems!
Posted by Racer on June 10, 2004, at 14:06:53
In reply to Re: Sleep test to be scheduled., posted by B2chica on June 10, 2004, at 13:21:44
Dinah, Miss Rock-For-Us-All, you have my permission to take the test or not, just as you decide. And you have my permission to refuse to take it now, and then change your mind -- and to change your mind as many times as you need to in order to be comfortable with your decision.
Do you know why you're resistant to taking it? Is it the test itself, or the diagnosis that might come back? If it's the diagnosis that worries you, you know yourself better than I do, so you'll know best whether you'll continue to worry about whether or not you have these things, or whether you can put the possibility aside effectively enough not to let it bother you. If it's worry about the test itself, is there any way the doctor could reassure you?
As for apnea, there are other treatments besides the machine. There really are. The doctors like the machines, because they don't have to sleep with them! Honestly, sometimes I think ALL doctors should have to spend six hours per week on the Spanking Machine, with the intensity higher for certain specialties. (Oncologists would get the lowest setting, county pdocs would get the highest.) And narcolepsy? I believe you, you're probably having little sleep breaks from intense emotional experiences. Of course you don't want to lose them, and you'll know when you're ready to give them up. Just make sure you're not holding onto them because you're afraid to give them up, if you know what I mean.
Exes and Ohs to you, Dinah, and I'm in favor of whatever you decide -- as long as you stay with us.
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on June 10, 2004, at 14:41:31
In reply to Re: Sleep test to be scheduled. » Dinah, posted by All Done on June 10, 2004, at 12:56:22
Dinah,
My mother's husband recently did the whole sleep test thing and they found out he had sleep apnea and yes, he does sleep with a machine. BUT, his health has improved by leaps and bounds since he has been sleeping now at night. He has lost 30 pounds, feels energized and terrific for the first time in a long time.
I don't blame you though for not "wanting" narcolepsy or apnea. But, these afflictions are easily correctable and you may very well feel wonderful after all is said and done.
I'm curious why your husband doesn't want you to do this. Does he think its quackery?
Posted by pegasus on June 10, 2004, at 17:50:14
In reply to Sleep test to be scheduled., posted by Dinah on June 10, 2004, at 12:41:42
My brother-in-law has sleep apnea and sleeps with a machine. He also is really happy about it. Everyone in the family noticed a 180 degree turn around in his personality when he was diagnosed and started getting a good night sleep every night. He's *so* much happier.
Before he was diagnosed, he was on a multi-year decline. He's one of my best friends in the world, and it had become downright difficult to be with him, and really sad and helpless feeling. Then once he started getting more sleep, he became his old self again. I hadn't noticed how *much* he had changed until he changed back. I personally am so grateful that he's treating his sleep apnea. He would be the first to tell you that treating it has changed his life for the better. He's much more involved with his son and wife, he's losing weight, he's *much* happier. I can't explain what a relief it has been to see his life turn around like that.
Just another aspect to think about.
pegasus
Posted by octopusprime on June 11, 2004, at 0:52:52
In reply to Sleep test to be scheduled., posted by Dinah on June 10, 2004, at 12:41:42
dinah:
i can't remember what meds you are on. but typically narcoleptics take an activating med like ritalin. now the apnea machine sounds pretty crappy. but ritalin might not be too bad, esp. if you are looking to kick start body metabolism too.
Posted by Dinah on June 11, 2004, at 20:52:51
In reply to Re: Sleep test to be scheduled. » Dinah, posted by octopusprime on June 11, 2004, at 0:52:52
And it'll be here soon.
I really weighed your responses in my decision to go ahead with it. I still don't think I have narcolepsy, and I'll feel a bit foolish. But I imagine the neurologist who is positive I have it will feel even more foolish. :)
I don't have to go off my meds, thank heavens. They told me it was very very boring and to bring lots to do. :(
And my husband's objections proved again to me what I have long known. I'm excellent at "reading" feeligs, but not as good at mind reading, or guessing what thoughts are behind the feelings. I had thought he was upset at the idea of yet something else wrong with me, or thought I didn't have a sleep problem, or maybe didn't want me away from my wifely duties. But while I was right that he didn't like the idea, I was wrong with my guesses why. He thinks the concept of a sleep study (people monitoring you while you sleep) is a bit creepy and weird. :)
Posted by fallsfall on June 12, 2004, at 13:04:10
In reply to Re: Sleep test has been scheduled, posted by Dinah on June 11, 2004, at 20:52:51
Isn't that the whole point? Isn't it supposed to be so boring that you fall asleep?
I'm glad you checked with your husband. It is better to know what other people *really* think.
Posted by Dinah on June 14, 2004, at 8:13:09
In reply to Re: Sleep test has been scheduled » Dinah, posted by fallsfall on June 12, 2004, at 13:04:10
I was telling my son about the study to explain why I'd be gone overnight well in advance. I explained exactly how long I'd be gone. I assured him that I'd be safe and that Dad would be with him. I told him that people would be hooking me up to machines while I sleep to try to figure out why I'm sleepy so often during the day, and asked him if it wouldn't be nice to figure that out.
His "YES" was so happy and emphatic that it made me sort of happy that I had made the appointment although the timing stinks.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.