Why bother sleeping?

[ThomasB]

Thomas here again. Just thought I'd vent.

Does anyone else actually feel rested-- ever? Sometime I wonder why I bother sleeping since whether I sleep 6 hours, 8 hours, or ten hours I feel equally groggy and tired when I get up. And even an hour later I still don't feel completely awake.

I almost always take a nap in the middle of the day, but it only slightly perks me up. I can't remember the last time I felt truly awake and alert.

The wierd thing is that even though I never feel rested I have a lot of trouble getting to sleep sometimes.

[Reenie]

Have you seen an HCM specialist? What meds are you taking?

Reenie

[ThomasB]

Well, I just take Verapamil. And I see my cardiologist regularly, but fatigue is one of the symptoms of HCM so I don't think he'd be terribly worried about me feeling tired constantly.

Isn't that normal, though, for us HCMers? Feeling lazy all the time?

[Largehearted]

Thomas.

I rarely get a good night's sleep. My assumption is that all the meds I take has something to do with it. On those very rare occasions when I do not wake up 3-5 times a night I feel pretty rested. So far my cardiologists have said, if you can keep your heart in a good rhythm, and function as well as you can with HCM, try and put up with the sleep thing.

What kind of work do you do? If I had a hard physical job, I would never make it.

Peace,

Leon

[Laoshur]

Do you snore? Perhaps you have sleep apnea. It might be worth checking out, especially since that can damage your heart further.

I also feel very tired when I awaken and fall asleep during the day (although I never deliberately nap) and yet have trouble falling and staying asleep. I do not know yet whether I have sleep apnea as my sleep study is scheduled for next month, but my oxygen levels definitely drop below acceptable levels in the evenings and throughout the night.

Maybe you could ask the doctor if this could be your problem.
Rhoda

[Reenie]

Well, I just take Verapamil. And I see my cardiologist regularly, but fatigue is one of the symptoms of HCM so I don't think he'd be terribly worried about me feeling tired constantly.

Isn't that normal, though, for us HCMers? Feeling lazy all the time?

Many with HCM do have trouble sleeping. However, I think your doctor needs to know about this. He might be able to help you find a solution. I don't have HCM, but I was having a very hard time staying asleep every night. I would wake up about every hour every night. My primary care doctor gave me some medicine that helps me sleep through the night and I feel a lot better now. It's not a typical sleeping drug like Ambien or Lunesta. It's actually a mild antidepressant that is used for the alternative purpose of helping me sleep more soundly. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you need to at least make him aware of your situation. There may be answers to help you.

Reenie

[Pam Alexson]

Thomas , Yes do persist and tell your doctor. Yes the meds can make you feel exhausted and the disease has its effects . You are by no means lazy , just dealing with the overall HCM picture. THE BIG PICTURE. I can only remember sleeping well during my recovery from the myectomy. Some of that was the meds for pain and some the shear stress from open heart surgery that got me to sleep. I took sleeping pills for another stint of time and they helped. I may have to go that route again. I dread nights and can not imagine what I would do if I had to function alert all day. I sit down , I fall asleep. I do have sleep apnea and am treated... still get exhausted by mid day.

You are not alone I just know this is a big problem for many of us. Do try to get some help with it , it could just help you.

Pam

[ThomasB]

Thanks for all the feedback.

When I have trouble sleeping it's usually just when I try to get to sleep-- I don't wake up in the middle of the night. But especially when I'm doing something stressful (for example, a play) I'll toss and turn. This is usually because my heart beat is keeping me awake because I can't stop being aware of it but occasionally I just plain old toss and turn for over an hour.

But yeah, it's just the fact that even after I sleep for eight hours straight or take a three hour nap I still don't really feel awake. I never feel refreshed.

And the nap I usually take in the middle of the day is crucial. Sometimes I can't function without it.

Which definetly wasn't the case a few years ago.

[Burton Borrok]

Well folks,
I used to get up around three times a night, but since my kidneys wimped out on me that is no longer a problem – and would you believe I miss it? Sleeping does however remain a problem, and with this latest set of problems I’m close to exhaustion most of the time – although I don’t think that will stop me much longer.

When it comes to sleeping I’ve fallen into a few tricks. I go to bed and on goes the TV. I watch History and similar channels, and usually stay awake for them. At 11 I switch to CBS so I can watch the Jay Leno show, but I don’t know how long it has been since I’ve seen the whole monolog. I often wake up again for the show following, but after a few minutes I get fed up and turn off the TV. I once again sleep until three or four when I start to get ready to go to dialysis – leaving the house by five thirty. If I had an active day I sometimes fall asleep in the lounge chair waiting for dinner, and that’s the sleep I get most days.

Today, as in the past few days I woke up around four with a hypoglycemic attack. I can now differentiate between that and a heart problem, although my heart does race with it.
Since I’m not supposed to bend anymore, this morning my wife and I each had pedicures – mm mm good. Then we went to lunch, following which we drove across town and I bought a Rolling Walker so I can walk around and carry the oxygen bottle at the same time. We got home around three, and I’m thoroughly exhausted. The 106 temp wasn’t so bad, but the humidity is over 30% and for us dessert rats that’s a flood.

I wanted to go to a Mensa meeting this evening, but I’m too tired, so I expect to hit the sheets early. Tomorrow is dialysis again and my back hasn’t recovered from the last time. I’m afraid when I recover from the last hospital bout I will have to get back surgery – but that is for another day.

Sleep well my friends,
But