Tired ALL the time

[JanM03]

I just got my results to my sleep test and I'm disappointed that now they want to do a CPstudy(???) because they say I had obstructive sleep pattern.
I took my sleeping pill while sleeping for the test and my question is I want to stop taking the sleeping pill should I insist on the test to be done again without the sleeping pill? My problem is I'm tired all the time and I can't sleep without taking sleeping pills and I can't nap either, i just stay tired all the time.

[National Jewish]

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which the airway does not fully open during sleep.  This can happen whenever there is a physical obstruction, such as the collapsing of a large airway or the tongue falling back to block the throat and narrow the airway.  This causes breathing to stop for 10 seconds or more while sleeping.  This may happen several hundred times a night.  Each time this happens it is an episode of apnea.  This could cause you to feel tired ALL the time.  Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a machine that is used as a common treatment for OSA.  This machine delivers continuous air pressure into the lungs to keep the airways open during sleep.  It is 95% effective in controlling OSA.  It would be best to do the CPAP study without taking the sleeping pill.  That will best simulate the conditions for sleep when you faithfully use the CPAP and don't take a sleeping pill.  Please read our obstructive sleep apnea information at http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/sleep/treatments/obstructive-apnea.aspx to learn more.

[LLRT]

You being unable to sleep without taking the sleeping pills is probably due to your OSA since your obstructing sleep pattern messes with your sleep. These pills can be dangerous in your situation because shaking awake is your bodies rescue response for you to wake up and BREATHE! Sleeping so hard may cause your apneic periods to be longer. Follow through with the CPAP study to determine which pressures are right for you and you will find that you will have never slept so good in all your life. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. They will place either a full face mask (covering your mouth and nose) or a nasal mask (nose only) on to you while you sleep. They also have "nasal pillows" which are just "plugs" for your nostrils. They will gradually increase the pressures in the mask that you like until you do not "obstruct" anymore during sleep. Pressures range from 5cmH20(less severe) to 15cmH20 (severe) or more. Some patients find they even need two pressures called Bipap which stands for Bilevel Positive Airway Pressre, meaning two pressures. This is a Higher pressure when you breathe in and a lower pressure when you breathe out. You may find that you may not need those pills anymore. Good luck to you.
-Lindsay, Reg. Respiratory Therapist