[bigalxyz]

Hello forum,

First posting…49 year old male. I have what seems (?) to be a sleep problem. My sleep routine is pretty normal – I go to bed approx 11pm and I wake up approx 7:30-8am. I can get to sleep quite easily – I think usually after 5 or 10 mins. However I usually wake up 2-3 times during the night. It’s not related to needing to go to the toilet.

This isn’t the main problem though. The main problem is that 99 times out of 100 I wake up in the morning feeling groggy, sick, dazed and often with some neck pain and a dull headache that seems to radiate from the very back of my head. Typically I then spend half of the day shuffling around like a zombie until my head finally clears, some time in the afternoon or in the evening. Usually by bedtime I feel good, but then I go to sleep and the whole cycle repeats itself…and so on…and so on…

It’s bad enough to make it impossible to work most of the time. I work freelance so I have a lot of flexibility over choosing my hours of work, but it’s still awkward.

If I wake up at any point until maybe 5am, I don’t suffer from these symptoms. I feel ok (except for feeling the need to go back to sleep). Whatever happens to bring the symptoms on, it seems to happen in the last 2 hours or so of a night’s sleep. Does anyone know why this might be? What is it that’s different about this stage of sleep?

Occasionally (not often) I fall asleep in the afternoon, and the same problem occurs – I wake up after maybe an hour feeling sick, confused, groggy, etc.

I’ve had three sleep studies done over the last 10 years and they’ve all been normal. Sleep apnoea would do a pretty good job of explaining my symptoms but it seems I don’t have it. Also I tried a CPAP machine for a little while and it made zero difference.

Can anyone shed any light on this or suggest where I might turn next? My doctor doesn’t seem to have any idea what is happening.

Thanks!

A.

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to the forum and I’m sorry to hear about the symptoms you are experiencing.

You mentioned that you have had sleep studies done but they all came back as normal. In that case, how did you get your hands on a CPAP machine?

If the problem only occurs when you wake after 5:00 AM I am wondering if you are experiencing severe sleep inertia. Do you currently follow a regular sleep schedule? Apart from the daytime sleepiness you have described (which can be a symptom of sleep apnea) and the symptoms you experience when awakening after 5:00 AM, how is your sleep otherwise?

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If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

[bigalxyz]

Thanks Martin.

Re the CPAP machine: here in the UK they’re prescription only items (like most countries I assume) but I happened to find someone naughtily selling one locally on a “stuff for sale” website so I bought it and tried it out (very carefully, making sure I understood how to set it up and use it first). I’m sure my doctor would strongly disapprove, but curiosity got the better of me. Was a waste of time though – did nothing to help at all. So I guess I can rule out sleep apnoea.

My sleep schedule is pretty normal and regular – see my first posting – in bed around 11pm and awake at 7:30am ish. I get to sleep easily but almost always wake up a few times during the night. Usually I get back to sleep quite quickl though – I don’t often lie awake for long periods during the night.

Since I wrote my first posting, I’ve had a physical exam at the hospital and it has been suggested that I have X-rays and an MRI scan of my head and neck, just to (hopefully) rule out anything sinister. I do wonder if something is awry in my neck because of the neck pain and headaches I have when I wake up. Also I sometimes find Deep Heat rub (are you in the US? Deep Heat is a popular brand of menthol/eucalyptus heat rub in the UK – I don’t know if it exists “over there” but I guess similar things exist) quite helpful in clearing my head in the mornings. I have history when it comes to spinal disc prolapses (albeit lower down) and I wonder if something like that could be going on.

Alan.

[Martin Reed]

Hello again, Alan. I wouldn’t come to the conclusion that you don’t have sleep apnea based on your unprescribed use of a CPAP machine since there are a number of variables involved when it comes to making effective use of CPAP (such as pressure settings, pressure variability, mask/interface fit, etc).

There is a helpful (and clinically validated) tool call the STOP-Bang that you can use to help assess sleep apnea risk — here’s a link:

http://www.stopbang.ca/osa/screening.php

I am in the US, but I’m a British expat so I know what you’re referring to when you talk about Deep Heat. I’m not sure that exact brand exists here, but a similar brand is Icy Hot.

When are you due to have your X-rays and MRI? Have you asked your doctor if they think your sleep issues could be caused by a head, neck, or back problem?

—

If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

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