In beginning of September, I took my morning pills — don’t ask — and went to the doctor for a consultation. Since it was “after school” the kids came with us.
We drove to Smiltene — about a 45-minute drive, around 60 km. While I was at the doctor’s office, the kids went to Hesburger.
The doctor gave me a little tester to find out if I have sleep apnea.
So, naturally, I went into a shop, bought a puzzle, and took both the puzzle and the sleep apnea tester home.
I was ready for the overnight test. There were wires, things to attach, and a sensor that had to go on my finger. And then there was the tape.
I may have slightly overdone the tape on my face.
Marley stayed with me during the night. In the morning, he was still there, looking completely unsurprised by the whole arrangement.
I took the tester back to the doctor and waited for the results.
The results were terrible.
Turns out I really do have sleep apnea. Had to test the available masks.
Apparently, there were around 60 times per hour when I was struggling to breathe during the night.
Sixty times. An hour.
So… yeah.
That might explain a few things.
The exhaustion. The brain fog. The feeling that I had been running on empty for years.
And suddenly, something I had been struggling to explain for such a long time had a name.
On the way home, I felt relieved and worried at the same time. Relieved to finally have an answer, but worried about what it actually meant.
And then I got home, stepped outside the car, and somehow nature did what it always seems to do — lifted my mood without asking any questions. The light rain and rainbow, everything around me just made me feel a little lighter.
I enjoyed the puzzle, submitted all the paperwork, and now I’m waiting for my own Auto CPAP machine. It might take up to one month. I’m renting now.
So I guess this is where the next part begins — learning how to sleep with a machine, and hopefully learning what it feels like to actually sleep properly…
And why not “celebrate” it all with a funny drawing of me wearing my CPAP mask?
Turns out you don’t need to be an artist to express yourself. I always thought that if I was going to draw something, it had to be good — or at least look like I knew what I was doing.
Apparently, it doesn’t.
It can just be funny, messy and mine. And somehow, that feels like a good thing to learn right now.
A bit longer post, but I hope you enjoyed it 🙂
Ilze
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Good to get the diagnosis and hopefully now sleep will be better and you will feel better too. Love the drawing!
Thank you, that is what I thought would happen, but the mask is so… uncomfortable! I can’t change my sleeping position… So I’m still adjusting. It might take some time. I think when my own machine will come – I feel better. I could choose the masks and everything else.. I hope to choose the one that has app, so I can track how I’m doing…
It is better to know what is going on, even if you are rereading what you may hear – at least, then you are in a position to do something about it.
Yes! So true!
Good luck with your machine
Thank you, I hope we will be good friends 🙂
Not what you wanted but a truth about which you can do something. Do hope the machine will fulfil its function! You said not to ask about the ‘morning pills’ but I wonder when you last went thru’ the list with your doctor . . . perchance some may no longer be needed and that also could make a difference. Glad you are putting your mind to work on other matters . . . THAT is a pretty complicated jigsaw . . . Thinking of you and sending a big hug . .
Thank you Eha. As of today there is less pills 🙂 And I really hope me and machine can be good friends.
Glad you have a definite diagnosis – it’s always a relief to be able to put a name to a problem. But sorry it’s apnea & hope you can manage to sleep with the mask & awake refreshed. Big hugs xx
…and eventually maybe change everything and sleep without the mask 🙂
Thank you for sharing, hopefully things will get better for you now.
Thank you, it should get better 🙂
Great drawing, Ilze, let me try to put your mind at ease. I have been wearing a CPAP mask every night since 2011. My episodes are so low now its amazing, around one event per night which is fantastic. After a few weeks of using the machine you will notice the difference and feel more energetic. It does take time to acclimate to sleeping with the mask but I assure you, you will get used to it.
It’s been three weeks already… and I don’t feel the difference, cause I’m mainly up, cause mask won’t fit or I hear air flow… I hope it’s because of mask, and my machine will have different options. I’ m still waiting on paperwork – after they accept – they send me list of machines and masks to choose from!
Good luck!
Thank you, Kate!
Hoping the machine works and you can sleep well and wake rested. I love your drawing. Prayers and hugs for you Ilze.
Thank you 🙂 I enjoy doodling 🙂
It’s a good start to solving a problem when you know what you’re dealing with. Things should get better now, so good for you for taking the initiative to find out what was going on with you. Better days (nights) are ahead.
YES! 😄 Although I’m trying not to get too excited yet — I should probably be prepared for whatever other underlying conditions decide to reveal themselves next. 😂
The main thing is that you’ve made a start in dealing with how you’re feeling.
Labi kad tu tagad zini un varesi dabut vajadzigo miegu. Vai jagul tikai uz muguru vai var grozities par nakti?
Var grozīties, es nemāku gulēt uz muguras 🙂
I hope this will be helpful for you once you get it all sorted. It can be frustrating, so I hope the results will provide some closure. The sketch is lovely, and it brings a little humor to the situation, which is usually good for us! I say I would rather know and find out it’s nothing, than not know and find out it’s something.
Yes, I’m with you – I rather know and do something 🙂 Cause this has been going on for many years!
OK, I don’t want to make light of your physical condition, but the biggest eye-operner here for me is that you’re the sort of person who makes a jigsaw puzzle without assembling the border first! You’re either a genius or a monster. I’ll go with genius and wish I didn’t need the “side rails” (aka, border) built first when I put together a puzzle.
Best wishes with the CPAP machine and your recovery!