Living with Sleep Apnea

For months I have been battling with insomnia. PCP had me try trazadone, AMBIEN, and then Zoloft. I had hot flashes and tingling in my legs and arms. A sleep specialist began treating me for restless leg syndrome and I began taking Requip. My iron stores were super low and he believed there was a connection. I hated the dizziness and decided to do some research and get another opinion. The only thing that would help me to sleep each night was xanex. For a four month period I took .5 - 1.5 mgs at night. I hated the thought of taking this drug and definately made things worse by my constant worry of becoming dependent. While I hate to admit this, I believe that I lapsed into a state of mild depression In May I found a neurologist who also specializes in sleep medecine. She ordered a sleep study and I just learned that I have a moderate case of sleep apnea. So, the Xanex was actually making my apnea worse and I didn’t know it! I have been taking an antidepressant that helps me to sleep. The next step is CPAP therapy. I can’t wait to get started and I am planning on joining a support group (AWAKE). I am really optimistic about the treatment and hope to stop the medication as soon as possible. I am a 42 year old female, in good health with just a few extra pounds to lose. I never snored and always thought that I got 8 hours of sleep each night. Now all of the pieces are coming together and I hope to get on with my life. The past 7 months have been a blur. I hope that physicians become more educated about sleep disorders and how to recognize the symptoms.