Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a serious condition that is not well understood. It generally causes its sufferers to not be able to deal with life’s daily issues as they are simply too tired. Moreover, it results in "Brain Fog" (cognitive deterioration) and/or poor memory, weakness of muscles, irritable bowel syndrome and a host of other problems. Those that are diagnosed with CFS often find that sleep is simply does not refresh them; no mater how much they sleep, hey still wake up feeling tired.
If you’ve read this website so far, you already know this stuff.
Sleep Apnea is a different issue that is occasionally relates to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
As you may know, there are five levels of sleep. The deepest level is called REM (for Rapid Eye Movement) and is dream sleep. Most people spend a quarter of heir time at level 5 sleep, which is refreshing and necessary. People who suffer from Sleep Apnea, for various reasons, literally choke in their sleep for a very short period of time. During this time, the brain detects the lack of Oxygen and brings back the person to a lower level of sleep. This can literally happen dozens of time every hour, resulting in very poor quality of sleep, and consequently, a never ending feeling of being tired.
As I mentioned in previous articles, Chronic Fatigue can explain a wide range of problems, and sleep apnea is just one of them. One of the doctors I went to sent me to a sleep clinic. I have to say that this was much less pleasant than I thought it would be, trying to sleep with so many things hooked on to me, and being unable to go to a restroom without calling an aide to untie you. But I eventually managed to. They discovered I have "mild to moderate" sleep apnea.
Can this be the only reason I suffer from chronic fatigue? Probably not, because I’ve had sleep apnea my entire life, and chronic fatigue for only for two years. However, any improvement in my sleep may result in a big improvement of my CFS. Makes sense, no?
Thus, I was sent to the sleep clinic for a second time, to try sleeping using a machine called CPAP (which stands for "Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure"). Sleeping with CPAP is a very strange feeling, as the machine constantly pushes air into your nose, basically keeping the air passages open. The idea is that it will prevent the choking that takes place, and the person could reach a deeper level of sleep. Some people have reported an almost miraculous improvement in their quality of life using a CPAP machine.
After having to do this twice (the first time I was simply unable to sleep!), I got my own CPAP machine. It took some time getting used to but the improvement in sleep – both time and quality – is dramatic! If you’re looking to get your own, I got my CPAP equipment from this place. Check it out if you need to get one!
My conclusion: check with your doctor whether you may have sleep apnea. If he suspects you suffer from it, he’ll send you to a sleep clinic. If you do have sleep apnea, you’ll be tested with a CPAP machine, and if that proves effective, you should get one. This could potentially (depends on your condition) transform your sleep and your life as it will eliminate a large component if not the major component of what causes you to be chronically tired.
As always, please keep me informed whether you’ve tried this and this has proven to be effective.
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February 4th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Hi there,
it’s possible to be hooked up to have a sleep study at your own home these days. I had one and it involved someone coming out and wiring me up and then they left and I simply went to bed as usual. (and could get up and go the toilet or whatever without disturbing the wires). Then the next day I returned all the equipment to the guy and got the report a week later. So might be worth checking in your area to find if you can do this.
I’ve been recommended to have an EMA device – smaller and simpler than the CPAP, but expensive.
just thought I’d pass this on.
best wishes
Beth
February 5th, 2010 at 3:51 am
Hi Beth, thanks for sharing this information! I was not aware of this. I would imagine it depends on both the sleep center and the insurance company?
Either way, if one can do it, then it’s highly recommended. I found my own sleep studies to be generally unpleasant even if worth it.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:54 am
I have had sleep apnea for years. My wife had also complained about the snoring. Unfortunately the cpap doesn’t work for me.
April 2nd, 2010 at 7:37 am
My partner has been tested for sleepapnia an was told she had a basic case o fit, but not enough to warrent a CPAP machine. The trouble i find is that although this was diagnosed, her fatigue an waking up unrefreshed an able to sleep an entire day away an still not feel refreshed made me consider the combination of CFS as an underlying cause towards her sleepapnia, but no matter how many doctors we have been to, all we keep getting told is the iron is to low an that is a partial cause …. now she has been on the strongest iron supplement but has made no difference … but reading this site an a lot of others, i think just going out an getting a cpap machine even temporary, may just provide some needed feedback//results.
April 2nd, 2010 at 11:38 am
Hi Warren.
You know that you can get a CPAP machine on your own, right? That being said, I wouldn’t advise doing that without a doctor giving you the OK.
Perhaps you should ask if it’s a matter of insurance costs? and if you can use your own? There are sites – some I refer from here, I think, that sell CPAPs.
Like I wrote in my article, I never “completed” my study, but pretty certain it would really help me.
June 15th, 2010 at 4:31 am
I have been tested for sleep apnea and I don’t have this disorder. I do have Periodic Sleep Movement Disorder– pretty severe, according to the tests– and it is being treated and I still have my FM symptoms!