Well, my last post was in March. I can’t believe it’s been so long. I have been wanting to write for some time now, but I just haven’t been able to. I thought I had writer’s block. I bemoaned the fact to my husband as well. I haven’t been able to write my blog or work on my book. I just couldn’t think of anything to write. The words wouldn’t come, the plot wouldn’t thicken -nothing was working.
I began sleeping more and more until I realized I was sleeping twelve hours at night and then had three hour naps during the day. This, of course, happened over a period of time. I had less and less energy to do any of my daily chores and when not sleeping, I was just sitting. I began to worry I was just lazy. However, I wanted to get things done, but I just couldn’t make my body go.
I went to the neurologist for a check up and I mentioned it to him . He asked me if I had been waking up with headaches and I told him I had. He suggested a sleep study test, which I had already had, but thought I might have to have another. I didn’ t get the test done because it had been roughly five years since my previous test. Besides, I already knew I had sleep apnea and had a cpap machine several years ago. A cpap machine forces oxygen into your body while you sleep. But, it didn’t really do much and I hated it because it was so uncomfortable to wear a full face mask while I was sleeping. I sold that machine and have been sleeping without one for years without any real trouble. But, now it was different. This was beginning to affect my life, for heaven’s sake. I went back to the neurologist just within the past month and he ordered a new cpap machine for me. I was hesitant, but thought I might as well try it. It couldn’t hurt anyway. Tuesday of this week, I went to pick it up. Admittedly, it was difficult to get to sleep with the nasal mask on my face. But, when I finally did, it was AMAZING! Here is my machine:
This machine is so quiet, my husband woke up to see if I was all right! There was no noise coming from my side of the bed at all. Not from the machine and not from me. No snoring, no tossing and turning, just sleep. When I woke up the next morning, I felt as if I’d had a good night’s sleep and even awoke two hours earlier than I had been. I didn’t go into the living room and lie back down. I was actually able to get some things done.
So, I say all that to say if you are lacking energy, sleeping many hours a night only to be napping in the daytime, talk to your doctor about sleep apnea. The main symptom is snoring. If you snore, you are not getting the type of rest needed for your body to run smoothly during the day. If you have apnea, the real danger is oxygen levels go down and one stops breathing many times an hour. I stop breathing 37 times an hour every hour and my oxygen went down to 80%. Just make sure you check it out. It can be fatal if left untreated. I’m sure glad I listened (for once) to my doctor and my body. I hope you do too.
I’m hoping I’ll be back to writing in no time. I’m feeling better and stronger every day.
paulawalkerbaker 