Living with Sleep Apnea

I began having a difficulties in 1992. These included behavioral problems: poor impulse control and attacks of rage. There were also sleep problems, finding myself keeping myself awake until I just couldn’t avoid sleep, especially during the week, and inability to wake up and falling aspleep at unwanted times, especially afternoons at work. I also found myself taking long naps during the week. Since I was now in my forties, and taking MBA classes at night while working full-time, I believed that these symptoms were mostly the result of age and fatigue.

Shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and treated with medication. The behavioral problems noted above also resulted in treatment, with a diagnosis of depression and more medication.

Little by little, life unraveled. First came the job changes and losses. Then my wife divorced me. The declining income levels and loss of assets resulted in bankruptcy 3 years after the divorce. The bankruptcy made it harder to find employment, since I have been a finance/accounting professional and credit risk is a red flag for employers.

In the downward spiral, more drugs were prescribed, more and more naps were taken, my weight began to climb and my physical conditioning deteriorated as it became harder to exercise. Increased weight lead to foot problems that the types of exercise available.

So there we have it, job performance deteriorating, income falling, vitality and conditioning suffering, more job instability, increasing income reduction in the face of rising health care costs, and the quality of life reduced almost beyond recognition.

I finally found myself unable to wake up and get out of bed for 4 or 5 days at a time. Due to changes with my health plan, I wound up with a new primary care provider who listened to my symptoms and suspected sleep apnea. A sleep test revealed severe sleep apnea.

As I have become familiar with the symptoms of sleep apnea, I have come to believe that I began suffering from moderate sleep apnea at least 15 years ago, which became severe at least four or five years ago.

So, what came first depression, high blood pressure and obesity, or sleep apnea. High blood pressure is almost universal on both sides of my family and is a result of aging in all human beings. High blood pressure heart disease, depression, obesity, difficulty concentrating, impaired thinking, accidents, and falling asleep at inappropriate times are all symptoms of sleep apnea.

So, please, if you have a couple of these symptoms, get a sleep test. It may save your life and years of suffering.