Have you ever had something wrong but nobody believed you? Or you even started to doubt yourself that you even have anything wrong with you?
This is how I felt... even a few weeks ago, even this morning. For the last 6-7 years I've not woken up after a full night sleep feeling rested. Sounds funny doesn't it? Like it's not a big deal? But it's everyday...every.single.day. When I'm on holidays and I get 10 hours sleep if I want, if I get only 5 hours sleep or my usual 7.5-8 hours each night during the week. When the alarm goes off I feel like I didn't sleep at all.
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Now I'd hear people say they were on some special diet and how amazing they felt. "I just want to JUMP out of bed in the morning when I wake up, I have SO much energy". So I tried them... all. I've been on detoxes, taken herbal sleep formulas, meditated and practiced yoga. I've been to the doctor so many times I couldn't even give you a number. I've had CT scans and Nasal/Sinus surgery to fix breathing issues that they thought might be making me so tired. I saw a sleep specialist several years ago and he felt I didn't have any other markers for sleep apnoea so dismissed my tiredness as a symptom of hay fever. I take an antihistamine everyday to control my hay fever symptoms... yep still tired.
About 3 months ago I found myself at the dentist because of constant jaw pain and headaches and neck pain. I was diagnosed with TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. This of itself was a miracle to me. I was given a splint (basically a clear plate that adjusts my jaw position) and my headaches and other symptoms disappeared... Gone! Just like that!.... except my tiredness. My dentist referred me to another sleep specialist as a lot of people with TMJ have sleep apnoea too. I was doubtful and didn't want to spend the money seeing another Dr, having another lot of tests and nobody giving me any diagnosis.
But, I went. This Dr sent me off to hospital for an overnight sleep study. I was apprehensive and nervous. I'd only been to stay in hospital when having an operation and all 3 times I've had surgery it resulted in lots of pain and sickness as I don't do well with general anaesthetic. So being in hospital brought back all those feelings.
I was eager to get the results of the sleep study thinking I'd finally have a result...but NO sleep apnoea. There I was again... no results and being told I needed more tests. Another test, this time a second sleep study in the day... like all day! I didn't want to do it. Why subject myself to another stupid test, and get no results again. You know what though? I did it. If there was something else I could do, some chance of finding out what's wrong I had to try... again.
I had the familiar feelings I've felt often over the years... Am I exaggerating? Am I imagining it and I'm not actually more tired than anyone else? Maybe everyone else is this tired and they just don't talk about it? I drove to the sleep specialist this morning prepared to be told again that nothing is wrong and that I need to get more tests or that there isn't anything else they can do.
Can you guess what happened? I have a diagnosis! I almost cried when the doctor told me. Not because I'm sad, not because they can't do much besides some medication to treat the problem. Because I'm not crazy! There is something there, a label I can put on my tiredness. I'm not just imagining anything!!
Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Those who suffer from hypersomnia have recurring episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) which is different from feeling tired due to lack of or interrupted sleep at night. They are compelled to nap repeatedly during the day, often at inappropriate times such as at work, during a meal, or in conversation. These daytime naps usually provide no relief from symptoms.
Patients with hypersomnia often experience prolonged night sleep and have difficulty waking from long sleep, feeling disoriented upon doing so. (wiki link)
That's right kids... a real medical diagnosis. And it only took about 7 years! How's that for exciting news for your Wednesday!