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Ruby

Ruby
Joined Jan 2015
Bio

Diagnosed several years ago with sleep apnea and use my CPAP faithfully. Volunteer with several sleep issue groups and am a patient advocator.

Missouri

Ruby
Joined Jan 2015
Bio

Diagnosed several years ago with sleep apnea and use my CPAP faithfully. Volunteer with several sleep issue groups and am a patient advocator.

Missouri

Here's what I think. The stressful event could have played havoc with your sleep in several ways, some of which might have played out now. But the bottom line is that you are not sleeping well. So you have to figure out what is going on by trying one thing at a time. Sleep medication may get you to sleep and even keep you asleep but it may not affect the number of arousals you have each night. As you said, most of the time people aren't aware that they are having these and they DO affect your sleep. The only way you know (without another sleep study) is by how you feel the next morning. Personally I would try the mouthpiece first. If it works as it should then your arousals should decrease which helps you sleep better. But you have to give it time--it isn't a quick fix because you aren't used to wearing one.

The part that stands out to me in your posts is that you don't want to be diagnosed with sleep apnea. You had the sleep study done and it showed issues. It isn't a random diagnosis but a real one based on the study. It is very possible that you have had sleep apnea for awhile and didn't know it. That was certainly my story. I did NOT want to wear a mask and use a CPAP machine! But after learning all the problems that can be caused by NOT using it, I changed my mind. I wish I could help you more but all I can do is read your posts and answer the best I can.

In any case, you have a right to have your doctor answer your questions. If he does not want to take the time to explain or support you, then maybe you should find another doctor.