OlLiE
Well-Known Member
Hello, I wanted to ask if anyone else here has this unpleasant mix.
From the title you can guess I have both.
My sleep apnea is categorised as 'severe'.
Based on the sleep clinic results i wake up about 45 times an hour on average with peaks of up to 75.
So my sleep is a mess. I've tried all the recommended treatments, none of it helps.
I'm high functioning and gifted and have been usually good at 'masking', but as I get older it gets more and more exhausting to do.
With my sleep deficit getting ever worse I am less and less capable of masking, mainly masking irritation and frustration.
I've always been calm, never quick to anger. Lately though i feel drained and empty, the smallest thing sets me off.
I can't bear to talk, have to talk or interact with people. Loud noise that i have no control of will set me off almost immediately.
Supposedly my fight or flight instinct is switched to perma-on, to the point I don't even realise it anymore as the stress eats away at me more and more.
I have stress related chest pains on and off almost daily now at the slightest mental or physical effort.
My behaviour is understandably putting stress on my marriage.
Managing my me-time used to help, noise cancelling headphones don't work, walking barely helps.
I go camping once a month for a few days but that isn't enough any more.
I would need silent / dark / cold alone me-time for an impossible amount of time.
So i'm feeling pretty boxed in and can't seem to find any way to get out or even to improve things.
At this point i am randomly shouting at people when i get overstimulated/irritated.
I feel like i am permanently running away from the world with nowhere to hide.
Has anyone else experienced this or have any tips.
From the title you can guess I have both.
My sleep apnea is categorised as 'severe'.
Based on the sleep clinic results i wake up about 45 times an hour on average with peaks of up to 75.
So my sleep is a mess. I've tried all the recommended treatments, none of it helps.
I'm high functioning and gifted and have been usually good at 'masking', but as I get older it gets more and more exhausting to do.
With my sleep deficit getting ever worse I am less and less capable of masking, mainly masking irritation and frustration.
I've always been calm, never quick to anger. Lately though i feel drained and empty, the smallest thing sets me off.
I can't bear to talk, have to talk or interact with people. Loud noise that i have no control of will set me off almost immediately.
Supposedly my fight or flight instinct is switched to perma-on, to the point I don't even realise it anymore as the stress eats away at me more and more.
I have stress related chest pains on and off almost daily now at the slightest mental or physical effort.
My behaviour is understandably putting stress on my marriage.
Managing my me-time used to help, noise cancelling headphones don't work, walking barely helps.
I go camping once a month for a few days but that isn't enough any more.
I would need silent / dark / cold alone me-time for an impossible amount of time.
So i'm feeling pretty boxed in and can't seem to find any way to get out or even to improve things.
At this point i am randomly shouting at people when i get overstimulated/irritated.
I feel like i am permanently running away from the world with nowhere to hide.
Has anyone else experienced this or have any tips.