For the past 3 years, I had been plagued by severe chronic fatigue.  I saw by GP about it and he did bood tests which showed nothing wrong.  So, I went on with my life in misery.  It wasn't until I mentioned to my Dr that I snored (waking my husband often thru-out the night) that he ordered a Sleep Study for me.  I had my first sleep study about a year ago, which showed mild apnea AHI 15.  I was supposed to return for the CPAP part of the study but did not.  I figured it was mild and did not think it caused my problem.

Well, 1 year later, things became unbearable, I could not concentrate or tolerate work and when I was not at work I slept.  I slept through the evenings and weekends.  What a life.  So, I finally went for the 2nd part of my sleep study with CPAP.  The next morning after using it, I did not fall alseep once while drinking my coffee at home before leaving for work.  I had done this at least 3 times every morning.  And - my eyes were not so fatigued driving into work.  These were the first signs of something good happening. A couple days later, the weekend came, and I did not nap once.  I had alot more energy and my mood definetley improved.  My blood pressure even decreased.

Now, all was not perfect, the mask bothered me a few times at first.  I woke after two hours one night because of the mask was bothering me so I took it off.  Well, I fell asleep the rest of the night without it.  What a difference, the next morning.  All negative aspects of my disorder returned: I fell asleep drinking my coffee several times; my eyes were fatigued; I had shortness of breath; my carpal tunnel flared up; I could not stay awake and concentrate at work and had to go home.  I learned my lesson, I will never go without using my machine.

In summary, even though my apnea was not severe, I suffered very severe symptoms. Everyone is different.  It is amazing to think how many symptoms can arise out of SA.  All Drs should ask about their patients sleep but too many do not. 

Please, to all those out there, do not hesitate getting tested, hang in there, do not give up.  It is so awful to not feel good, it makes everything in life so difficult.  And remember it can save your life.