Published: June 11, 2009 09:11 am      

Lee Ward: 06/14/09 — Sleep problem comes as surprise to sufferer

For years, I have believed I had chronic fatigue syndrome.

I had had mono twice and since had multiple bouts with exhaustion.

I’m not a lazy person. In fact, I love being active and having something planned to look forward to at all times. But I began to have spells during which I became what I call sick tired, which means I was so exhausted I thought I was coming down with something.

Only I rarely did. I was just fatigued beyond belief.

A few months ago, I actually mentioned my tiredness to my doctor, who said I should get tested for sleep apnea.

I scoffed. I’m sure it’s chronic fatigue syndrome, I said to my doctor. To my doctor! What nerve I had to offer a conflicting diagnosis to my doctor, me sitting there on the examining table without my medical degree — yet I did.

Just think about getting checked, she urged gently.

After a month of consideration, I called her and asked her to set up a test for me. By the time I had to spend the night in the sleep lab, I had convinced myself I had sleep apnea. I mean, if I’m going to spend the night in a sleep lab, I doggone well better have sleep apnea, right?

Of course I do have it. I’m starting to think most Americans have it because every time I mention it to someone, they either have it, too, or they know someone who does.

Briefly, sleep apnea is a condition that will not allow sufferers to get the oxygen they need while they’re sleeping. Those with sleep apnea don’t get enough sleep or deep enough sleep to benefit their bodies. As a result, they become extremely tired in the day, suffering from fatigue so severe it interferes with life. Because the body experiences sleep deprivation, the body is constantly in fight or flight mode and refuses to burn calories and is constantly tense despite the exhaustion.

To fix my sleep apnea, I wear a contraption in bed at night to help keep my air passages open so I can get enough oxygen and reach a deep enough sleep to rest my body. It takes some getting used to and I’m still working on that, with the hope that I will soon feel good.

It’s taking the dogs some getting use to as well. Not one of them has gotten into bed with me since I started using the machine. I’m sure that alone will have a positive effect on my sleep by giving me a little bit more room to stretch.

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.