Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Renee on November 8, 2009 at 9:20pm

Oh Susan,

It is sad to hear of how lost you must have felt through all this. And I find it so so human and compassionate of you to share your vulnerable experiences here. Imparting this is very generous of you and I admire you for your courage in being willing to be so open and forthcoming about such distressing situations. I haven't felt as though my tiredness, cognitive deficits, etc. are of significant consequence to discuss or inconvenience others with but, as I read your clearly expressed counsel and support, I am thinking that these unseen problems are not just disappointments and frustrations to be relegated to the back burner but, rather, legitimate health issues that I should think about bringing more to the fore. And when you and others discuss the complications and stumbling blocks you encounter and are working through, I congratulate you all, and take strength in getting to think and feel that losses in energy and cognition, etc.should rightfully be considered as important health and human care issues. I would not have thought of presenting my concerns about issues, other than "strictly" medical issues to health care providers or on the SG forum - even while I find it very important to read postings about others. But reading your posting here and another that you posted recently is guiding me toward a new investigation into my sense of ability to consider expressing myself in a more open manner. So, thanks for nudging me in that direction.

My Best,
Renee

Jan, before treatment I was one of two ways--either in such a deep fog that I could hardly think, much less think clearly. OR I was so bitchy (inside my head) that I found myself isolating for fear of what I might say to people. Not like me AT ALL!! I honestly could hardly bear any kind of stimulation whatsoever, also not like me.

I was just overwhelmed. No other word for it. It wasn't depression--I recognize that in myself--I almost felt like I was drowning but I didn't know what I was drowning IN. I seriously wondered if I had dementia or was sliding into Alzheimer's.....

I used to get totally lost and have to call a friend to talk me home--I honestly couldn't find my way sometimes...I KNOW my way around Indianapolis!!!, but I couldn't find my way more times than I even remember....my kids thought I was losing it bigtime and so did my friends. I guess I WAS, actually......scary to think about it now........

None of that is happening now that I've gotten more stable on CPAP--feels like a miracle......

Susan :-)

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on November 8, 2009 at 9:20pm

Are you asking ME, Jan??

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on November 8, 2009 at 9:27pm

I believe I do. We will find out this week as i am having a study done. I would say that a shift worker might see as much sleep deprivation as someone with apnea.

Jan said:

But you don't have sleep apnea, do you?

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Permalink Reply by Jan on November 8, 2009 at 9:29pm

Sorry, I should have been clearer-- I was asking Rock.

Rock Hinkle said:

I believe I do. We will find out this week as i am having a study done. I would say that a shift worker might see as much sleep deprivation as someone with apnea.

Jan said:

But you don't have sleep apnea, do you?

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on November 8, 2009 at 9:29pm

Renee, thank you. I appreciate hearing that......

One of my closely-held beliefs is that mental health and physical health are one and the same thing. It's that mind-body-spirit connection you may have heard about. None of those 3 can be disconnected from the rest.....when one part is sick or in pain, the other two are as well....always........

Susan

Renee said:

Oh Susan,

It is sad to hear of how lost you must have felt through all this. And I find it so so human and compassionate of you to share your vulnerable experiences here. Imparting this is very generous of you and I admire you for your courage in being willing to be so open and forthcoming about such distressing situations. I haven't felt as though my tiredness, cognitive deficits, etc. are of significant consequence to discuss or inconvenience others with but, as I read your clearly expressed counsel and support, I am thinking that these unseen problems are not just disappointments and frustrations to be relegated to the back burner but, rather, legitimate health issues that I should think about bringing more to the fore. And when you and others discuss the complications and stumbling blocks you encounter and are working through, I congratulate you all, and take strength in getting to think and feel that losses in energy and cognition, etc.should rightfully be considered as important health and human care issues. I would not have thought of presenting my concerns about issues, other than "strictly" medical issues to health care providers or on the SG forum - even while I find it very important to read postings about others. But reading your posting here and another that you posted recently is guiding me toward a new investigation into my sense of ability to consider expressing myself in a more open manner. So, thanks for nudging me in that direction.

My Best,
Renee

Jan, before treatment I was one of two ways--either in such a deep fog that I could hardly think, much less think clearly. OR I was so bitchy (inside my head) that I found myself isolating for fear of what I might say to people. Not like me AT ALL!! I honestly could hardly bear any kind of stimulation whatsoever, also not like me.

I was just overwhelmed. No other word for it. It wasn't depression--I recognize that in myself--I almost felt like I was drowning but I didn't know what I was drowning IN. I seriously wondered if I had dementia or was sliding into Alzheimer's.....

I used to get totally lost and have to call a friend to talk me home--I honestly couldn't find my way sometimes...I KNOW my way around Indianapolis!!!, but I couldn't find my way more times than I even remember....my kids thought I was losing it bigtime and so did my friends. I guess I WAS, actually......scary to think about it now........

None of that is happening now that I've gotten more stable on CPAP--feels like a miracle......

Susan :-)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by susan mccord on November 8, 2009 at 9:32pm

lol--that's okay, Jan. I figured it out. See how fast my mind snaps to?? NOT!!!!!! :-)

Jan said:

Sorry, I should have been clearer-- I was asking Rock.

Rock Hinkle said:

I believe I do. We will find out this week as i am having a study done. I would say that a shift worker might see as much sleep deprivation as someone with apnea.

Jan said:

But you don't have sleep apnea, do you?

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on November 8, 2009 at 9:34pm

Rock, when's your sleep study being done? Are your work folks conducting it or are you going somewhere else? Your comment re: shift worker exhaustion vs sleep apnea is an interesting one. I'll bet there's research out there about that....

McCord

susan mccord said:

lol--that's okay, Jan. I figured it out. See how fast my mind snaps to?? NOT!!!!!! :-)

Jan said:

Sorry, I should have been clearer-- I was asking Rock.

Rock Hinkle said:

I believe I do. We will find out this week as i am having a study done. I would say that a shift worker might see as much sleep deprivation as someone with apnea.

Jan said:

But you don't have sleep apnea, do you?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by susan mccord on November 8, 2009 at 9:40pm

Jackie, my cardiologist is the one who FINALLY sent me for a neuro exam which ended up in the sleep study clinic. Go figure--not one other MD EVER mentioned apnea as a possibility. They really don't know....

bayoulady said:

I wouldn't say that it's moody with me. It is more like an overwhelming feeling of being in a fog that I can't escape. I feel confused, and self concious(everybody must know I'm not up to speed....)

I am not that moody, and I'd even say I'm a a bit on the cheerful side. But over the past five years my mental fog was so scary, that I was afraid people would think I was getting Alzheimers(ms?). I had broken C6 in my neck, and it seems that that is when I noticed the fog...I have since read that spinal cord injuries can contribute to sleep apnea, though I am no expert on that.Frankly, I wondered myself if I had a brain injury or Alzheimers. So I put on a pretty good front I think. However, inside the gnawing anxiety over my muddling thoughts and poor short term memory (VERY POOR!)eventually brought me to the use of Paxil, an antidepressant, and later Zoloft. I took them off and on for the past few years until last winter, when I just quit it and slid on down the pole.

My cardiologist sent me to a sleep center in this spring.....April,I think. Indeed, I did have apnea. I was happy to know that with treatment I might even think more clearly. I was, and am, very hopeful.

I then started CPAP therapy. Gradually, I had days where I would think........."YESI do know where I put my lesson plans...I DO know where I put my stapler....I DO KNOW that we go on a field trip Friday...Whew!"

Since then, I have seen a great improvement in my memory, and with that less anxiety about my own mental balance.When I have a few nights in a row where I'm not sleeping well because of leaks, rain out, etc. The next day or so,I can tell I'm getting anxious. I just tell myself," It will get better. " I AM DETERMINED TO ADJUST,ADAPT, AND ACCEPT.

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on November 8, 2009 at 9:57pm

I have pts tell me all the time that they found out they had apnea after their colonoscopy. The proctologist tells them.

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on November 8, 2009 at 10:00pm

My study is being done Thursday by a friend that i work with.

Shift worker syndrome

http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-701&p=shif...

Chronic shift worker syndrome

http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=yfp-t-701-s&toggle=1&cop=...

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Permalink Reply by Jan on November 8, 2009 at 10:11pm

Wowwow-- so are you having some of the same symptoms that people with sleep apnea have? And is this all resulting from the fact that you are working nights in the lab?

I am wishing you lots of luck with your tests...

Rock Hinkle said:

My study is being done Thursday by a friend that i work with.
Shift worker syndrome
http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-701&p=shif...

Chronic shift worker syndrome

http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=yfp-t-701-s&toggle=1&cop=...

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on November 8, 2009 at 10:14pm

Rock, thanks for the links.

Rock Hinkle said:

My study is being done Thursday by a friend that i work with.

Shift worker syndrome

http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-701&p=shif...

Chronic shift worker syndrome

http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=yfp-t-701-s&toggle=1&cop=...

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