The Story of FD

A teacher with a problem ...

I had been a school teacher for 23 years. At best this is a difficult job, physically and mentally challenging. Gradually I had become overwhelmed by the fatigue I was experiencing. I believed that standing on the concrete floors and dealing with children was too much for me, but I loved my job. When an administrative job opened, one that had a high percentage of desk work, I took it, believing that I would feel much better. It didn't happen. I continually felt worse. Eventually I realized that my memory was not as good as it once was, and I was only in my early fifties. I was really scared.

Ready to retire ...

After eight years with this job, I told my husband and two sons (college age) that I was ready to retire. I could not continue working and feeling so very tired all the time. For many years I had been unable to watch television without falling asleep in five minutes. I could only read material that was mentally challenging and required note taking or some physical movement. Even then, I would often nod off in sleep. I moved constantly when listening to a speaker, trying hard not to fall asleep. I awoke every morning very tired.

Finally I did retire, but I felt no better. A year later, I began post-menopausal bleeding and called my doctor. He informed me that it was time for my annual check-up and he would proceed with that, then send me to the OB/GYN that afternoon. He immediately found my blood pressure to be 220 over 100 and began to question me. Eventually I told him about my inability to stay awake. "Aha!" he exclaimed. Immediately after correcting the bleeding, I would be sent to a pulmonary specialist, and eventually to a sleep lab.

CPAP was the answer ...

The CPAP machine that was prescribed was the answer to a prayer. The second night I spent in the sleep lab, I slept with a CPAP and awoke feeling better than I had felt in a long time. Of course, one night did not make me normal, but I definitely felt better than the night before. After about three months of sleeping with the machine, I began to notice other differences which I told the doctor about. My flesh had been so sore that when my husband jokingly slapped me one the arm, squeezed me, or grabbed my hand, I could not stand it. I had believed this to be a condition brought on by my arthritis, but the soreness was now gone. I learned that when the cells/tissues are deprived of oxygen, lactic acid builds up and causes the soreness.

Memory loss ...

Although my memory is still not perfect after nine months, it is so much better that I am very thankful. There are instances when I find that things that happened in the past few years are not a part of my memory. An example: my husband got out some old family pictures that a relative had given us. I swore to him that he had not shown these picture to  me even though they were my family pictures. As I looked through the pictures, I found names written on the back - in MY handwriting. I do not remember having ever seen these before. It is amazing how this little machine has changed my life. Sometimes the mask is a bit annoying, but it is a small price to pay for what it gives. I am glad that my doctor prescribed a machine with a humidifier because it does not dry out my mouth and throat.

Since learning of my sleep apnea, I have discovered three male cousins that have been diagnosed. Two use the CPAP, one had surgery. We believe that at least two more cousins have the same condition, but we have been unable to get them to a lab. I would never have retired if I had known then what I know now. I feel younger, more energetic, and am totally thrilled that my doctor had such insight into my problem.

F.D., Teacher in Kentucky

Now that you have read the story of FD., if you would like to email your comments to her, click here: FD@apneanet.org.

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