It's all starting to make (medical) sense...

Dr. S · Postby **Dr. S** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:00 am

It must be a huge relief! My uncle has a machine like that too, he doesn't even snore anymore and has MUCH more energy

tgilpin · Postby **tgilpin** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:19 am

It is amazing how much sleep affects your daily life. As a person who struggles with insomnia, I can relate!

My mom and cousin both have the CPAP machine and it totally changed their lives. I wish you many a well rested night, and look forward to seeing your running posts

Postby **ultraslacker** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:29 am

wow, that's awesome! And I get that you wish you had found it sooner, but I'm glad that it's making a difference for you now. :)

(I confess I'm jealous that you've found the solution to your sleep problem but I don't have one for mine! ;)

DonnaRigs · Postby **DonnaRigs** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 9:38 am

Wonderful news! Sweet dreams!

Dr. S · Postby **Dr. S** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 9:52 am

ultraslacker wrote:(I confess I'm jealous that you've found the solution to your sleep problem but I don't have one for mine!

I was thinking that too for myself! LOL

But still very happy for you!

bruyere · Postby **bruyere** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 10:52 am

This is great for you, James! Try not to do the "what if" too much. Whatever happened happened, and it did get you where you are now...the family you have, the acting, the music lessons... think about the things you wouldn't change!

Back at Air Canada, I sat next to a guy who fell asleep at work. My coworkers and I never knew what do to... "Is he OK? Do we leave him?...Should we wake him?" We usually setled on making a little noise and waking him, but never saying anything. Eventually, he was off for a couple of days, and came back and talked about being at a sleep clinic. Finally, we could talk about what was going on. He was diagnosed with sleep apnea and got a machine. The change in him was pretty huge. Both in the fact that he was now able to talk about this, rather than just being embarrassed that he was falling asleep, and in the way that he felt.

A new chapter, indeed!

scrumhalfgirl · Postby **scrumhalfgirl** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 12:57 pm

wow - what a post! great update - so glad to see you around again!

BaldGuy · Postby **BaldGuy** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 6:42 pm

Thanks everyone -- funny thing about sleep apnea, I didn't know there was anything wrong. I thought I was tired because of middle age, and depression, and overweight. I never imagined that the depression and overweight were related to poor sleep.

I've always had insomnia problems, usually just can't go to sleep when it's bedtime (though it's easy enough to fall asleep in front of the TV, or reading, or listening to the radio), so I understand your frustration, tgilpin.

Just spent a couple of hours at an event at DD's school -- with very little anxiety, no desire to cut out early particularly, even though we were outdoors in the rain. Amazing how much more comfortable I feel.

It's only Day 2. But wow.

jes · Postby **jes** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 6:54 pm

That's amazing! It sounds like this is going to be a really positive change!

Joe is going for a sleep study next month, for many of the same reasons you mentioned. A machine sounds like a pain, but if this is what's needed to get some sleep, then so be it!

BaldGuy · Postby **BaldGuy** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 6:59 pm

jes wrote:That's amazing! It sounds like this is going to be a really positive change!

Joe is going for a sleep study next month, for many of the same reasons you mentioned. A machine sounds like a pain, but if this is what's needed to get some sleep, then so be it!

If he needs one, he only needs it when he's asleep. ;-)

Seriously though, I was resistant at first, but once I knew my diagnosis I just decided to make the best of it and not look back. It's not a bad thing, and the difference in my mood is clear.

QuickChick · Postby **QuickChick** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 7:17 pm

BaldGuy wrote:
QuickChick wrote:I will run with you anytime (ummm as long as it's not oh-dark-thirty, haha).

Ummm ... I can't keep up with you. Not even pregnant you.

Ummmmm not a worry, I'm not fussy at all about how fast I go. Plus I'm slowing down every week and you'll speed up every week. We could place bets on when, before oct, I'd struggle to keep up!! Offer still stands.

DougG · Postby **DougG** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 9:20 pm

Hey BG like you I haven't been around, or running, much.
I am happy to read that things are working out for you.

Welcome back!

Avis · Postby **Avis** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 9:46 pm

Terrific that you have both a diagnosis and a treatment that works. Enjoy your new lease on life!

Irongirl · Postby **Irongirl** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 10:38 pm

Amazing!

And, when did your dd get to be 10 years old?

jgore · Postby **jgore** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:20 am

Where are you running, James? Oh-dark-thirty works for me.

BaldGuy · Postby **BaldGuy** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:56 pm

jgore wrote:Where are you running, James? Oh-dark-thirty works for me.

Huh -- this morning I actually woke up at 5:00 and forced myself to go back to sleep so I wouldn't be tired later in the day. Running in my 'hood, at the top of the hill where I don't have to climb anything yet.

BaldGuy · Postby **BaldGuy** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:57 pm

Irongirl wrote:Amazing!

And, when did your dd get to be 10 years old?

It happened like magic. She was still in a stroller when I did my first half-marathon. She was four the last time I ran Ottawa.

IronColl · Postby **IronColl** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:13 pm

Great update!

uz2bdv · Postby **uz2bdv** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 12:33 pm

Hello James,

Great to know you've found a solution - and avoided a more dire conclusion.

Thanks for sharing many of the details, I know it will help someone else.

Run well (again) my friend and perhaps one day we can share pub wings again.

Alan

Ken B · Postby **Ken B** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 12:36 pm

Great news, James!!!!

barebuns1 · Postby **barebuns1** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 6:45 pm

Congrats to your running, James.

Midge · Postby **Midge** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:47 am

i too use one of these machines, been doing so a few years now

you live longer with better sleep they say

RA. · Postby **RA.** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:06 am

Just catching up on your thread. Great news, James! I'm so happy for you!

Mouse · Postby **Mouse** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:13 pm

James
I too am later to the party. Reading this has put a great smile on my face. I can feel the sense of relief that you are experiencing. I'm both excited and happy that this is working out so well for you. Keep up the great job, and running with children is a pricless experience, no matter how old. Enjoy, one breath at a time, and one step in front of the other.... Congrats on your second chance....
Love and Hugs
Mouse

BaldGuy · Postby **BaldGuy** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 8:49 pm

So I've finally had the gall bladder surgery that led to the sleep apnea discovery, and I'm advised that I can start running in 3-4 weeks. Walking is totally fine though, so did a couple Ks in High Park this morning, and 3.5 K tonight. Not bad for a guy who was too sore and sedated yesterday to put on PJ bottoms without help! Excited to have my life back!