The following is a public service announcement that may save your life, your health, your marriage, and your happiness.
Subjective:
I have felt so tired for so long I don’t remember really feeling rested and energized. I’ve been so depressed I had nearly quit riding by 2009, almost never laughed out loud and would cry so easy Steve has been walking on egg shells.
I couldn’t do anything but the most important things to stay alive like eat, sleep (lots of sleep), work, and some house work and cooking.
I couldn’t muster the mental or physical energy to tackle any new projects.
I told my friend OTG that “I feel like my head is ten feet under water. And I’m tired of holding my breath.”
Objective:
I slept too much and no amount of sleep made me any more rested.
I snored and thrashed while sleeping.
I never dreamed.
I had to sleep during the days I was off.
Experienced lots micro-naps.
I had to pull over to sleep while driving or riding on every trip greater than a couple of hours.
I could not get my anti-depressant med dosages right, too much, too little etc.
Assessment:
I was an ENT to have the snoring addressed and stopped if possible. He ordered a sleep study which I thought was a complete waste of time and money as it cost over $2000 before insurance.
These were the results:
The overall respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was 5.6 per hour; RDI during REM sleep was 7.8 per hour, and RDI while supine was 5.8 per hour. The Apea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) was 2.2. There were 35 total events with 2 obstructive apneas, 0 mixed apneas, 3 central apneas, 9 hypopneas. Mean duration of events was 20.3 seconds, with a maximum of 32.0. The baseline oxygen saturation was 95%; the minimum during the study was 90%. Tracheal microphone monitoring revealed mild snoring. Frequent periodic leg movements were present, averaging 6.4 per hour. Prolonged cardiac rhythm monitoring was unremarkable
1. Mild obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (780.53) with mild oxygen desaturations, worst while in REM.
2. Mild Periodic limb movement disorder.
Plan:
Sleep using a CPAP, follow up later.
Results:
HOLY SHIT ON A STICK BATMAN!!!
I didn’t know I could feel this good! I’m happier than I’ve been in years. YEARS, I‘m telling you! I’m FAR more productive and have not napped ONCE since the CPAP. I’m RIDING again!!! Even if it’s just 5 miles to work and I started back to just riding for fun.
I’m no where never as emotionally fragile and I have rediscovered how much I like my job. My co-workers noticed at once.
I feel like I have a future instead of looking forward to dying so I could stop feeling so bad all the time.
I got my songs back in my head and in my helmet time and yesterday I was singing in the shower.
:hide
I want to read again, and I am.
I could go on, but I hope you understand.
The Doc said I’d lose 20lbs this year without trying just due to the better working metabolism and higher energy levels.
All I want to be sure you get out of this story is this:
If any of the symptoms I talked about ring true in your life, PLEASE, please don’t just write it off as being old and fat and whatever else.
Please go get a sleep study.
If you don’t have sleep apnea, maybe you’re just old and fat, but if you do, treating WILL change your life and ALL for the better.
Ted V 
