one big load of crap

[floatingleaf]

Oh dear. I feel so SIIICK. The throat thing is definitely an infection. I keep downing mug after mug of hot, soothing liquids, and I still have a desert in my mouth. Even sore throat lozenges don't help much - at least not for a long time. And I think I have a fever. I just came out of the bath, and I feel sweaty all over again, despite the air conditioner blowing freezing air on me (which is probably not a good idea, but it does bring some relief). I'm thinking I might have to call in sick to work tomorrow. Probably should see a doctor and get some prescription meds too. And they only just sent me the bill for the previous visit. Crap. I so didn't need that right now.

As if that wasn't enough, I realized this morning that I probably have sleep apnea. I had been reading carynita's posts about her own struggle with this weird medical condition, and some parts of it just sounded too damn familiar. So I started paying very close attention to my own breathing pattern when I'm on the verge of falling asleep, or just after waking up - and sure enough, I seem to stop breathing from time to time, only to jerk awake seconds later while inhaling a huge gulp of air. And sometimes I feel my heart start beating very rapidly during the night, for no apparent reason (lack of oxygen, maybe?...). So that could be why it usually takes ages for me to fall asleep, no matter how exhausted I am. And why I sometimes wake up in the morning not feeling rested at all. Or why even very quiet noises can wake me. Because I hardly ever get to the deep sleep phase. The one where you don't even dream any more. I always dream, usually a few different dreams a night - because that's how often I wake up. And sometimes the dreams are restless and disturbing, for no apparent 'real life' reason, and I wake up all tense and breathless too. Could it be because I am actually choking in my sleep?... Jeez. I think this is all too much. *cries*

And yes, I did go see POTC:AWE with Akasha yesterday, and it was fun, even though I was feeling woozy, and had to take a bathroom break during the movie (which means, according to Akasha, that I have to go see it again :D). But I don't think I have the energy to say anything more right now. I need to go lie down. Have a rented movie to watch too, and might just as well do it tonight - since I don't seem capable of much else anyway. *sigh*

Comments

[mellacita.livejournal.com]

I never noticed the gasping while I was drifting off, though I did wake myself with snorts sometimes. Fast heartbeat, increased need to go to the bathroom, fatigue, and remembering more dreams are all very common signs. It can only be diagnosed by a polysommnography (sleep study) and needs a CPAP machine as treatment, which is a small machine with a mask for your nose that blows air through your nostrils to keep the tissues of your mouth and throat from relaxing to the point where they block your airway. The mask is so VERY sexy (LOL) but I have adapted pretty well I think so far. And really, the difference is sort of astonishing. But then they think I have had sleep apnea for a good decade or more, even when I was thin, because I have a huge uvula and tonsils. o.O Untreated, it can increase your blood pressure, cause weight gain, stress your heart, and increases 300% the risk of stroke and heart attack. Not good

Do you have insurance? Can your primary care physician recommend you for a sleep study? I hope you can find out for sure if this is what you have. *hugs*

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

If you go to a doctor for the sore throat, talk to him/her about the sleep issue too - there are tests, as Carynita mentioned, and it's not something to ignore if you are suffering from apnea.

((hugs you - feel better soon!))

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for the info. *hugs you* Yes, I do have insurance, but my current plan is a high deductible PPO, and I'm not even halfway through meeting my deductible at the moment, so I am a little worried about the costs. Could you give me a rough estimate?...

And I have no idea how it works with recommendations etc. under my plan, but I'm going to try and find out.

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the hugs.:) The worst of the cold - or whatever it was - is over by now, I think, but I might see the doctor tomorrow anyway, if only to talk about the other issue. *hugs back*