Can you have sleep apnea and not be aware of it

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I mean unless someone tells them that they think there is a problem? My mom has already walked in my room and given me an elbow to the ribs saying to me that I was snoring and stopped for about 45 seconds, then started again. I am NOT aware of any of this at all when I sleep. Is this common not to know? Just wondering. Thanks. :)

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I mean unless someone tells them that they think there is a problem? My mom has already walked in my room and given me an elbow to the ribs saying to me that I was snoring and stopped for about 45 seconds, then started again. I am NOT aware of any of this at all when I sleep. Is this common not to know? Just wondering. Thanks. :)

a lot of people are unaware of their sleep apnea. You should consult with your physician.

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I mean unless someone tells them that they think there is a problem? My mom has already walked in my room and given me an elbow to the ribs saying to me that I was snoring and stopped for about 45 seconds, then started again. I am NOT aware of any of this at all when I sleep. Is this common not to know? Just wondering. Thanks. :)

Yes, it is possible to not know you have sleep apnea. I was not aware that i had it until I almost scared my wife to death!! I was asleep and she woke up and laid her head on my chest. Before she fell back to sleep she noticed that I didn't seem to be breathing (she is also a nurse). Just about the time she was going to start shaking me, I gasped and took a deep breath. The cycle repeated and she eventually woke me up to see if I was OK. I told her that other than being woke up in the middle of the night, I was fine.this is how I found out about my sleep apnea.

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Hi Shadowflightnurse, Did you get treatment? Do you feel better now? Any other quality of life improvements?

Sis

Yes, it is possible to not know you have sleep apnea. I was not aware that i had it until I almost scared my wife to death!! I was asleep and she woke up and laid her head on my chest. Before she fell back to sleep she noticed that I didn't seem to be breathing (she is also a nurse). Just about the time she was going to start shaking me, I gasped and took a deep breath. The cycle repeated and she eventually woke me up to see if I was OK. I told her that other than being woke up in the middle of the night, I was fine.this is how I found out about my sleep apnea.
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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I'm having a sleep study done next month to find out if I have it.......there are some s/sx that can clue you in to the fact that it may be an issue, such as daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and loud snoring. If you're obese, especially in the belly area, you may very well have a problem due to crowding of the lungs ('Pickwickian' or obesity hypoventilation syndrome). It's worth it to get it checked out, because over time, sleep apnea overworks your heart and causes HTN and heart failure, plus it affects the quality of your sleep and thus the quality of your life.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Yes you can have sleep apnea and not be conscious of it. My best friend was unaware---and for her the consequences were almost deadly----she used to fall asleep in her car, driving to work, so she made Me drive her instead. Also, I remember her being tired and cranky ALL the time. She was always getting ever cold and virus her way and was constantly sucking down coffee to "wake up" throughout her ay.

You need to know, sleep apnea is linked to heart disease....not to mention, not getting enough sleep can be ruinous to your health in other ways. If you suspect you have this problem, see your dr and get a sleep study right away, Theresa. I want you healthy! Let us know what happens ok.

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I do get really intense morning headaches sometimes, but I've always put it off to "Narc rebound" since I take Darvocet q12 hrs. for low back pain. I must admit, that I amp myself up on caffeine a lot in order to perform well during the day, and especially getting ready for my 11-7 shift. Oh boy.

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Specializes in Med-surg; OB/Well baby; pulmonology; RTS.

Yes you can. I've had a sleep study done because I am overweight and have HTN, so my pulmonologist wanted me to have it done to see if that is why my BP is difficult to control at times. I never did stop breathing, but my breathing did slow down considerably.

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Hi Shadowflightnurse, Did you get treatment? Do you feel better now? Any other quality of life improvements?

Sis

Hi Sis,

No I have never gotten any tx. I have thought about a sleep study, but just haven't done it yet. I know I should, but you know how life gets in the way. I do have some of the other effects, sleepiness, headaches (esp first thing in the morning). I am overweight, but not "obese." I do not have high blood pressure.

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Specializes in everywhere.

I am not overweight, do not have HTN, but due to constant headaches, being fatigued, and seemingly catching every cold and virus around. I finally agreed to a sleep study (I fought it for a long time) and it was discovered that I had sleep apnea. After finally agreeing to the CPAP, and getting used to it, I sleep better and no more headaches, etc.

Get checked out and good luck to you

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After 90 days my insurance will kick in. What makes my facility a pretty good place is that part time workers such as myself can still get health insurance which will really help me. Also, do any of you know why I only diffuse o2 at only 57%? This was according to a pulmonary function test taken about a year and a half ago. Does the sleep apnea figure into this, or is my asthma making my 02 diffusion rate so crappy?? Yeah, I know. It makes my head spin thinking about it all too. But I WILL get it checked out.

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I thank you all for your ideas and responses. You all rock.

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