struggling, post-op, now another sleep study

[CindiSue]

I am 9 days post-op. Had an ovary and tube removed that was covered with endo and the other tube tied. BUt I also had hysteroscopy, D&Cand ablation done. I am supposed to be ovulating now and am a mess emotionally. I don't know if I will ovulate at all, and then with the ablation I don't know if I have a period. The only thing I know for sure is I won't get pregnant! HA HA, Bad joke! not really laughing. I jusst feel lost! Don't know my body. Very sad.

I didn't get to talk to doc after surgery and hubby relayed the info which was not nearly all I wanted to know as they were supposed to remove the right ovary that had a complex  cyst....which doc said was perfect at the lap. DID he look inside? I thought I could wait the 2 weeks for appointment to ask all the questions. I could call but it is a nurse you ask and she asks him and gets back to you and it is worthless for real info.

I have other health issues...I am one of those with the autoimmune issues still trying to be solved and chronic pain so the pain of the recovery is faily normal for me...always in some kind of pain. But I am a mess on all other levels.

To make things worse, I had a sleep study done and the 2nd is Monday night. They say I DO need it as I dond't breth right in my sleep and need to try a cpap machine that blows air into your nose while you sleep. They actually think this might be a factor in my poor health...no resorative rem sleep. If I cancell I wait until June and it could help so I have to go....face full of scabs and all!

Now the pitty party is over and I will flush!! thanks, friends!

[CindiSue]

I have only just talked to the scheduling lady and she said I stopped breathing only 3 times but had over 90 hypopneas that made my brain wake me up, plus restless leg movements, don't know how bad. I knew I had the RLS but was shocked at the apnea! Although, my dad has a cpap and it runs in families. I am not the typical overweight middle aged male candidate! I have lots of questions about my brain activity versus the actual obstructive apnea...always knew I was kind of "fried" but this is too weird! From the very beginning of my illness they asked about my sleep and I was on elavil for insomnia but the neurologist said just cause I "thought" I was sleeping better on it, it didn't really mean I was getting the right kind of resorative sleep.

I always like to hear of those dx with this feeling so much better with treatment...maybe there is hope for this old "hag" yet. (DH favorate term of affection!) I am feeling better today and am taking it one day at a time. Have 2 granddaughters today for first time since surgery so that makes things feel more normal.

Thanks for the kind words!! Cindi

[AnotherKatie]

Gosh you had a lot done to you. You have permission to be depressed. It IS sad when we have this stuff done to us.  I thought that was very true when you said "I don't know my body". These are very unsettling experiences!
That SUCKS that you didn't get to talk to the doctor. I think, as you didn't get to talk to him before, you are justified if you ask for him to call you back, not some stupid relay thru the nurse nonsense, that's not fair. That on top of your other health issues should give you some clout!
My son who is 24 has sleep apnea. He is just recovered from surgery to remove his tonsils (your adnoids are gone when you an adult) and a large chunk of his soft palate. Boy was he in pain for a few days. He is breathing better at night and in the day too. He is going to get the machine too, apparently it works quite well after you get used to it. He is ALWAYS tired, achy, cranky, headaches... again, from not getting that REM sleep. He has had so many colds, lung infections, weird illnesses. It is so terrible when you do not have a nice restful sleep.
My heart goes out to you....complain as much as you like, I did yesterday....Just let everything go and recuperate.....
Love and prayers, Katie

[Bananie22]

I'm so so sorry you're feeling like this.  I could tell how down you are in your post (even though I sense you're trying to put on a brave face).  I think you should call your doctor and tell the nurse you NEED to speak to HIM (or her).  You just had major surgery for pete's sake and you have questions.  Write them down and be a little pushy...use whatever method you can to speak directly to the doctor.  I have flat out told a nurse "no offense but there are some issues I need to discuss with the doctor only"...she told him and he called me back later.  It's common to have some depression after a surgery, especially when it involves your hormones.  My mom had open heart surgery and both knees replaced and then got diagnosed with breast cancer all in the same year...she got really depressed (she's fine now), anyway the doctor told us that it's so common to have some depression.  It's like a trauma, and with you already having an autoimmune disorder...a sleep disorder...PLUS who thought it was funny to give you cold sores all over your lips?  =)  You poor thing, you've really been through it.  I know I just rambled on but I just said whatever came to my mind.  Just come here to vent and we'll all listen and support you.  You hang in there ok?  (((Cindi))) <----big hug for you

[Moosiebjm]

Hi Cindi.

There really is something to the sleep thing.  When I'm doing the "flare" thing with the autoimmune weirdness, I don't sleep worth a bleep.  And the body all over pain gets intolerable at times.  I've been going through a sleep phase now where it seems I'm skipping deep sleep and going right to the REM.  We must have stage four (delta) sleep.  That's when our bodies do their repairs and maintenance.  I know for me, it's as if I idle all night long at about 50% rather than 5%.  I wake up more tired than when I went to sleep.  There is a huge connection between FM and apnea, some even believing apnea causes it, or is a major trigger anyway.  However, with those I know who have had studies, it's not apnea.  It's just intrusions of beta waves when there should be delta sleep going on.  I hate it when I get like that.  I'll be really interested in knowing what your sleep study shows.  Hope you feel better soon, love, hugs and God bless, Barb

[DebiR]

Oh you poor thing - I am so sorry you are feeling so lousy.  After two years of poor sleep I can tell you that everything is worse when you are not sleeping.  It is so hard to stay positive without rest.  Sounds like you have sleep apnea.  Do you snore?  Have you tried those strips that you put across your nose?  Some people get help with them.  I agree that poor sleep quality can be influencing your other health issues.  My brother has severe apnea and many of the issues you describe.  Hang in there and know that you are not alone!  I will say an extra prayer for you today.  God bless.