Question:
... I have been struggling with this for a few years now and take
Ambien regularly. I realize now that maybe part of my problem is that my
husband seems to snore lightly and then almost snort and snore really loudly
every 20 minutes or so; often times waking me up just as I'm finally dozing off
and "jolting" me awake so that my heart is pounding when I am awakened -- I
used to think that my sudden awakenings were some type of anxiety attack of my
own; but I'm thinking now that he is just startling me with his sudden
grunting, snoring and loud breathing... He also has complained of feeling
constantly tired and says he often feels like he's ready to fall asleep at the
wheel at the end of the day on his way home. He says no matter how much he
sleeps he never feels 'rested'. His dummy doctor told him to take No-Doz and
left it at that... I'm wondering now if maybe he has a more serious (and
completely undiagnosed) physical sleep related problem . He has always
insisted that he has no sleep problems because he has no trouble falling asleep
and can do so anywhere, anytime. What are the signs and symptoms of sleep
apnea??? I know there has been a lot of discussion here about this subject, but
I tend to not read it because I always thought that that was not MY problem...
I was more concerned about being able to relax and fall asleep without
medication. Now I think that maybe my husband's sleep habits/problems have a
lot to do with my problem: I always sleep better when he is away or if I sleep
in a different room from him. Maybe that is because he is not distubing my
light sleep!
Answer:
Sounds like he has sleep apnea. We don't have problems falling asleep.
He needs to have a sleep test done to confirm this so it is important that
he get one done.
Have him see his regular doctor and state the same so he can get referred
for a sleep study.
Sounds like a classic case of sleep apnea. My doctor didn't diagnose my
sleep apnea either. After three years of complaining about tiredness
and many blood tests, I diagnosed myself. Even then, my doctor said "No
way", but he agreed to send me for a sleep test. I was then diagnosed
with severe sleep apnea. He's no longer my doctor. Insist that your
husband get a sleep test. If this doctor won't set one up, find a new
doctor.
That "snort" could be a gasp for air when his airway closes, a prime
symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. FWIW, my wife says that your
description of your husband's sleeping behavior matches mine except
that I was doing it more frequently.
That's typical. I didn't think I had any problems sleeping, I pursued
my possible sleep apnea because my wife was concerned about the link
between sleep apnea and high blood pressure. Something like 80 or 90
percent of sleep apnea sufferers are "diagnosed" by their spouses.
Have your husband take this test, or take it for him if he's
reluctant. The questions will give you a good insight into some other
sleep apnea symptoms. Chronic heartburn is another, at least in my
case.
http://www.nationalsleep.com/sleeptest.htm
Both my wife and I are sleeping _vastly_ better since I went on CPAP.
My sleep time is about the same but I'm getting far more good out of
it. My wife no longer has to cope with my snoring and gasping for
breath. It's a winner all the way around!
Sounds like you just gave a pretty good text book description of OSA (
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ). Think it would be wise to push this issue with his
doctor and if that doesn't work find another doctor who is more familiar and in
tune with current sleep apnea diagnosis. This may not be the problem but it is
certainly worthwhile investigating further.
It took me many years to be diagnosed and at considerable mental and physical
costs. The treatment is simple and life saving and changing.
