So. Some of you read my post about having my sleep study. Some of you even asked me to update you on the results.
Welp.
You know what they say, right?
Denial is more than a river in Egypt.
They were right.
I have been denying the obvious for a lot of years now. I mean, I’ve told you, I could NOT get my mind around the idea that I might be suffering from a sleep disorder that I associated with overweight men. Honestly, I was too embarrassed to even entertain the thought that I might be snoring, snorting, gasping, stopping my breathing and endangering my life every time I went to bed.
Yeesh.
I am the daughter of a woman who is pretty much totally healthy at 89. Her Mom died at 99 and a precious half, but only because her parts wore out. She was healthy as a horse until she died.
So.
I did NOT want to be sick. In any way.
Then I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I tried to ignore that one for a while, too. Until I couldn’t. Then I decided to accept the medication, but not the limitations.
I mean, here’s the truth that I know about me. I am not stoic. I am not strong and brave. I do not shake off pain.
In fact, if I must be honest, I am a wicked big baby. I gripe, I moan, I complain.
I have always assumed that when/if I get a terrible diagnosis, I will be the worst patient ever. I don’t see myself as having the grace that my Dad had as he navigated the last few weeks of his life.
But here I am. Not exactly going into that “dark night”. But sort of forced to accept some facts.
One: I have fibromyalgia. I can’t rake the entire garden in one day and expect to walk the next.
Two: I have wicked wicked bad sleep apnea. Holy crap. I read and reread my sleep study report.
I am in deep trouble.
I seem to stop breathing more than 80 times per hour. My blood pressure and my pulse rate jump around like crazy all night long.
According to my sleep study report, I have “SEVERE sleep disordered breathing.” Yikes.
It also says that I snore (are you ready for this????) 42% of the night.
And that (ahem) 35% of the night my snoring is “extremely loud.”
So.
My husband is a freakin’ saint. He still sleeps with me. And he says, “Once I fall asleep, I don’t hear a thing.”
I suspect that he’s lying, because he knows that I feel completely faked out about this whole thing.
So.
I am now awaiting the home delivery of my CPap machine. I hate the whole idea of sleeping with a mask on my face.
But I do like the idea of living for a while longer. And I really love the idea of letting my poor husband get some decent sleep for a change.
So.
Better living through modern medicine. I am more than willing to embrace this new part of my life.
Who knows?
Maybe I’ll be shocked at how good I feel after sleeping with a plastic mask over my face…..
Empty Nest, Full Life 
Sweet dreams my friend! ❤️
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As soon as the infernal machine is delivered….maybe….
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I have heard that it makes a huge difference in both quality of sleep and your life in general when you can really rest well. I bet it will be a piece of cake!
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I’ve been sleeping with a CPAP for three years now. Except for the excellent sleep, not snoring and feeling 150% healthier, it sucks. Totally sucks. Hose gets wrapped around your head, can’t talk with the thing on, and you have to clean it regularly. If it wasn’t for that whole feeling better, I’d give it up.
It took about a week to get use to and I had to go back to the sleep clinic a couple of times to get things setup right (mostly my fault).
These I just put the mask on and pretend I’m a jet fighter pilot or captain of a space ship. My wife has hinted that making airplane or rocket noisy before I go to sleep isn’t really appreciated…
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I love this, Andrew! Not the part where it sucks (I’m pretty sure it will) but the part about pretending you’re a jet pilot! I am so ready to pretend….something…..!!!! As for your wife…..now I understand all that beautiful woodworking.
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Can’t wait to hear how you go- a ‘severe disorder’ is quite a challenge but you will rise up…
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The weird thing is….I don’t feel tired! I mean, I feel achy a lot, but I have enough energy to deal with two or three toddlers every day. I wonder if I’ll be totally hyper when I finally sleep!
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I have a friend who went for the testing a few years ago & like so many, was very reluctant to wea4 the CPAP machine. She now can’t imagine sleeping without it. She had no idea how tired she was & what a good nights sleep felt like. Hope you have the same experience!
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Thanks, Lynn! I am hearing from so so so many people about what a great thing it is to have the machine. I can’t wait to try it out now!
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I’m so sorry! I really hope the machine helps you feel better….and I suspect it will!
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Fingers are crossed!!!
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Good thing you had the test! The machine will be life-changing — in a very positive way. I think your only regret will be not getting it sooner.
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I suspect you’re right. I’ve been hearing from dozens of people about how wonderful it is. Everyone says, “I didn’t even know how tired I was until I finally wasn’t!”
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Giggling over here! 10 years ago I went for a sleep study, after checking in, going over my sleeping environment and ritual heading to bed I was ready getting hooked up and snuggling down for the night. I did not go into this thinking I snored, tossed, turned nothing at all as I slept. Well , I was wrong. When she woke me at 5 am she wanted to confirm I slept with my window open year round, I confirmed I did. She suggested I apologize to my neighbors and rethink keeping my window open 💕
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Hahahahahaha!!!!! I so get it!!!! My results have left me horrified…..I’m ready to apologize to my dogs!!! Now I know why they fall asleep on the bed, but when I wake up, they’re on the couch!
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