Sleep Apnea and day time sleepiness

Posted by rgill @rgill, Feb 8, 2019

I have had sever sleep apnea for 19 years. The past 3 years I have had extreme day time sleepiness almost unable to function. I sleep 9-15 hours each night and then I have these “sleep attacks, where I just go to sleep. While talking, playing games on my phone. Basically if I sit down I am out. I have also been passing out. 2-3 times a month, the last time I hit my head on the wall causing a concussion. Doctors have not been able to figure anything out. I have an appointment at Mayo Jax in two weeks

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Hi, @rgill, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That sounds very difficult having sleep apnea, plus extreme daytime sleepiness and almost inability to function. It's pretty serious, too, to be passing out and getting concussed.

I'm glad you have been visiting doctors so far and that you have an appointment with Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, coming up soon.

I'd like you to meet @dawn_giacabazi @johnbishop @thankful @cece55 @jmb73 @johnhans, who may have some insights on the sleep apnea accompanied by extreme daytime sleepiness and the sleep attacks you are experiencing, plus passing out.

In the meantime, here is some Mayo Clinic information on sleep apnea you may find useful: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631

Do you have someone else who lives with you in case you pass out again, to care for you and get you any medical help? Are you recovered from the concussion?

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Hi @rgill, I would like to add my welcome along with @lisalucier and other members. I did find some information that may be helpful. I'm hoping you will get some answers at your upcoming appointment at Mayo. If possible, can you give us an update after your appointment?

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
-- https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0301/p391.html#

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Is your sleep apnea being treated by a CPAP machine or some other device? If so, have you been back sometime after the initial diagnosis for follow-ups with the diagnosing clinic? Did you have a sleep study done and if so how many events did you have?

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@johnbishop

Hi @rgill, I would like to add my welcome along with @lisalucier and other members. I did find some information that may be helpful. I'm hoping you will get some answers at your upcoming appointment at Mayo. If possible, can you give us an update after your appointment?

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
-- https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0301/p391.html#

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@johnbishop Did you read the editors note at the top of the article and follow the link?

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@mmm48tx

@johnbishop Did you read the editors note at the top of the article and follow the link?

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Yes though the article still has good information about the condition. Just need to read it with that in mind.

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@johnbishop

Yes though the article still has good information about the condition. Just need to read it with that in mind.

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The letter to the editor says the article is factually incorrect.

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@rgill- Wanted to join my other C-Pap friends and encouraging you for making that Mayo appt.
I am assuming that you have not sourt out sleep doctors or C-pap technology as of yet?
Please keep us posted on your results at Mayo. We are here for you and hopefully can answer any other questions you may have. Jim @thankful

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Hello @rgill...I am a pretty new member but I wanted to welcome you and let you know that we are all here and concerned about you. During all the years that you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea...I am probably asking the same question as the others...do you visit your sleep doctor, use a CPAP machine and bring your removable chip in for him to analyze?

I also had daytime sleepiness although not to the extent that you have it. I never fell asleep unless I was watching an afternoon movie...What I did notice is that even after I slept and woke up for the day, I did not feel refreshed. Now, I really feel that I am wide awake and my cognitive abilities are much better.

Please let us know the outcome of your visit at Mayo.

Blessings to you,
CeCe55

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Hi all,
You'll notice that I've modified the title of this discussion to "Sleep Apnea and day time sleepiness" given the specific topic of the conversation and to differentiate it from the other sleep apnea-related discussions in the Sleep Health group.

John shared an article from American Family Physician
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0301/p391.html#

@mmm48tx pointed out that the editors of American Family Physician later pointed out discrepancies and the author's failure to disclose relationships he developed with two pharmaceutical companies after submitting this article and before it was published.

Along with the above article, this letter to the editor should also be read:
- Disease Mongering and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/1015/p775.html

Thank you to all members for your vigilance in evaluating information.

@rgill, like the other members, I too would like to hear what you learn at your upcoming appointment.

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