Mom still doesn't get it...and I keep winding up in tears...

[happylabs]

I am not real good with planning and figures but I can give you some moral support. I can totally relate to lack of sleep causing memory issues. Our brains and bodies are just like rechargeable batteries. If they do not get recharged, they do not work properly. It is tough when you have a parent or loved one that is into the negativity thing. My father was always like that. However, the more he told me I couldn't do something, the more I wanted to prove him wrong!

Hang in there. Hope things get better soon for you.

[Kirsten]

I'm with you on this one, Candace!

I'm afraid I cannot offer any helpful advice, but I know how hard life can be with a constant lack of energy. I'm in the same situation, unemployed even, and I don't see any perspective how I can ever do another job without being burned out again in no time!

We just have to hope that things will get better for us one day!

Kirsten

[Catty1]

Thanks, you two...

Kirsten, I don't know if you read my other posts. I had a sleep test and found out I have sleep apnea, which really saps energy. I stop breathing or brealy stop 15 times an hour!

Have you had a sleep study done? It just takes overnight. Might be worth checking out.

Also - any thoughts of using prints of your photos to raise funds for animal shelters and the like? They would love that!

[Queen of Poop]

Behind you 100% dear!! I'm here anytime you need to vent, a shoulder, anything. I'm not sure I'd be much help with your financial info right now, got enough of those troubles of my own right now.

[Catty1]

Thanks, Gayle...with my depression and ADD symptoms, which might also be aggravated by my sleep apnea, I am afraid to even TRY for a 'real job' as I have gone through about 11 of them since moving to Alberta some 10 years ago.

I hope I get this figured out.

[Kirsten]

Have you had a sleep study done? It just takes overnight. Might be worth checking out.

No, I haven't done it yet, and I think I would really have a problem with that because I could never sleep with other people watching me!

What did they suggest for you to do now once they've found out it's sleep apnoe?

Also - any thoughts of using prints of your photos to raise funds for animal shelters and the like? They would love that!

Yes, that may be worth a try. Once I'm feeling a bit better (I'm also dealing with depression for a couple of months now, and with constant nausea), I can try that...

[Catty1]

Kristen, I did a sleep study at home! You get instructions on how to hook yourself up...All I had was an oxygen sensor taped to my index finger, a wee microphone (small disc) on my throat just above the hollow of it, and the cannula in my nose....that is the thin tube with the wee prongs that you wear when you are getting oxygen in the hospital...except this one just measures your breathing.

Oh - and medical tape...the mic and thin tube on the face need a little help!

[wombat2u2004]

No, I haven't done it yet, and I think I would really have a problem with that because I could never sleep with other people watching me!
What did they suggest for you to do now once they've found out it's sleep apnoe?

A hospital test is no big deal Kirsten, you get your own room that is soundproofed.....you get wired up to a computer that is away in another room. They fit you with the machine and mask, and leave you to go to sleep.
Nobody is there with you, and nobody watches you.
In the morning they unplug you, and let you know what the results were (the nurses sort of give you a general rundown)........then off you go to the Sleep Specialist who will tell you exactly what the story is.

As for remedies, that depends on certain circumstances.
1) If you smoke, then you are going to have to give that up.
2) If you are overweight, then you are going to have to diet and lose weight.
Providing that the problem is linked to those two conditions (and it is in a lot of cases), then you will be tested again at a later date to monitor whether the stop smoking or diet has helped you sufficiently to allow your body to get the oxygen it needs when you sleep.
3) The specialist may suggest that you immediately use a CPAP machine, especially if your computer readings are not satisfactory, and that sometimes has to do with your body anatomy. The most common anatomical cause (and there are others) I refer to is your tongue. It was explained to me by my specialist that a great percentage of peoples tongues sit a little further back in there mouths than what they should. I am in that category, there are many people in that category, we are born that way.
What happens during sleep, is that your tongue becomes as soft as jelly, and it slides backwards and actually blocks off your air passages. Your body reacts to that, you partly wake and gasp for breath, the tongue moves forward again so that you can breathe properly......that is an Apnea !!!!
Some people have only a few a night, others have many more. When I was tested, I was having Apnea's a few times a minute.....that's how serious my condition was.

CPAP machines take a little getting used to....took me about 2 or 3 months to actually get used to this bothersome mask on my face all night. but hang in there, put up with the bother, and in no time you will be so used to it, that you won't even think about it....and you won't want to sleep without it.
You will wake refreshed, you will not require as much sleep, and you will feel much better during the day, more motivated and healthy, as your body will respond to that correct amount of oxygen you get whilst you sleep.
It's well worth it mate.....I have been on one now for a long while, and I just don't know what life would be like without it.

Also, there are a number of masks available, all quite differently shaped. Ask the nurses when you do your test if you can try a few just for comforts sake.
That's what I did, and I found one perfect for myself.....so just don't take what they give you......after all.....it's your sleep....make it comfortable as you can for yourself.
Best of luck with that.......
Wom

[cassiesmom]

depression and sleep apnea

Catty1, I have both and I have a CPAP for the sleep apnea. Are you taking an SSRI or an SNRI? You don't have to answer that question in a post, but if you are, did you know this class of meds suppresses REM sleep? So that might be contributing to your sleep issues.

Can you get the CPAP any sooner than the 9th? I can tell you from firsthand experience that you will sleep better with it. I don't know about other CPAP users on Pet Talk but I use the humidifier every night, summer and winter. I get dry mouth and nose in the morning from the pressurized air without the humidity. Even my eyes get dry. Gotta have the humidity.

HUGS from me and PURRS from Cassie,
Elyse

[wombat2u2004]

Catty1, I have both and I have a CPAP for the sleep apnea. Are you taking an SSRI or an SNRI? You don't have to answer that question in a post, but if you are, did you know this class of meds suppresses REM sleep? So that might be contributing to your sleep issues.

Can you get the CPAP any sooner than the 9th? I can tell you from firsthand experience that you will sleep better with it. I don't know about other CPAP users on Pet Talk but I use the humidifier every night, summer and winter. I get dry mouth and nose in the morning from the pressurized air without the humidity. Even my eyes get dry. Gotta have the humidity.

HUGS from me and PURRS from Cassie,
Elyse

The humidifier is a must Elyse........I ran out of water in one night and had to get up in the middle of the night to have a drink of something.

[wombat2u2004]

Kirsten, I don't know if you read my other posts. I had a sleep test and found out I have sleep apnea, which really saps energy. I stop breathing or brealy stop 15 times an hour!

Candace, if you don't have the CPAP machine yet, I have a suggestion that may help you until you do get the machine.
Sleep on your side with your head hanging slightly over the edge of the bed.
It keeps your air passages open. It may be a little uncomfortable to stay that way all night, but perhaps you could wake and swap sides from time to time. That's what I was told to do by my specialist whilst waiting for my machine to arrive.
Hope that helps.

As for your financial position......don't ask me mate, I'm bloody useless with money....LOLOL. But I hope it will all work out well for you.

Wom