Nap or walk?

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2

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  • supersparklyk
    supersparklyk Posts: 84 Member
    edited October 2018
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    Also sounding like a broken record here... a sleep study can help determine why you're needing a nap in the afternoon. I was the exact same way, from the time I was a teenager until my husband insisted I get the study done (in my 30's). I have severe obstructive sleep apnea, and now use a CPAP (constant positive air pressure) machine. While it's definitely not sexy, I cannot imagine how I functioned without it for so many years! If I go even one night without using it, I feel completely exhausted and useless the following day. Please seek out a sleep doctor in your area for help!
    Also, I should note that I was not overweight as a teenager and I still had this issue, so please don't wait to be thin to be kind to yourself. <3
  • AudreyJDuke
    AudreyJDuke Posts: 1,092 Member
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    Great suggestions!
  • CindyJNC1963
    CindyJNC1963 Posts: 895 Member
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    I had a sleep study and it was found that I have both sleep apnea AND restless legs syndrome. That's why I was so sleepy during the day. Since I've been on a medication for the restless legs and the CPAP machine I do MUCH better during the day.
  • mtdb8
    mtdb8 Posts: 65 Member
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    So what are your options if there's no place like that within an 8 hr drive? I have no intention of taking off work for it. And the truth is I really dont want my insurance company to know. (So getting together that kind of money is a factor too) and I'm still not convinced it's worth it (or rather that it will work.)
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    edited October 2018
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    I really wish people would take their health more seriously.
    What are the risks of untreated sleep apnea?
    Sleep apnea can have serious short and long term health risks if left untreated, including:

    High blood pressure
    Irregular heartbeat
    Heart disease/heart attack
    Stroke
    Type 2 Diabetes
    Driving and work-related accidents

    from:

    https://www.sleepapnea.com/diagnosis/sleep-apnea-risks/
  • mtdb8
    mtdb8 Posts: 65 Member
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    If I wasnt ready to start taking it seriously, I wouldn't be here.
  • puffbrat
    puffbrat Posts: 2,806 Member
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    mtdb8 wrote: »
    So what are your options if there's no place like that within an 8 hr drive? I have no intention of taking off work for it. And the truth is I really dont want my insurance company to know. (So getting together that kind of money is a factor too) and I'm still not convinced it's worth it (or rather that it will work.)

    Start by talking with your primary care physician. Are there no hospitals within an 8-hour drive of you? Why do you not want your insurance to know? Are you having problems with them?
  • mtdb8
    mtdb8 Posts: 65 Member
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    I wouldn't say I'm having trouble with them, it's just that I'm self insured and dont make enough for a huge rate hike. With the political climate being the way it is the protections for pre-existing conditions aren't solidified enough for me to trust yet. They could be overturned tomorrow.

    As for the hospital, it's not that fancy. It doesnt have dialysis, (something you'd expect it to have) it doesnt have an icu, and it doesn't have an oncology section either. Basically, its function is to keep you from dying long enough to get you sent somewhere else. And delivering babies. It's good at that.

  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
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    mtdb8 wrote: »
    I wouldn't say I'm having trouble with them, it's just that I'm self insured and dont make enough for a huge rate hike. With the political climate being the way it is the protections for pre-existing conditions aren't solidified enough for me to trust yet. They could be overturned tomorrow.

    As for the hospital, it's not that fancy. It doesnt have dialysis, (something you'd expect it to have) it doesnt have an icu, and it doesn't have an oncology section either. Basically, its function is to keep you from dying long enough to get you sent somewhere else. And delivering babies. It's good at that.

    At least discuss it with your doctor and ask is there is something you can do in the meantime. I'm not aware of anything that helps outside of weight loss and CPAP, but it could also be something else that is easily managed. The fact that you are so tired during the day suggests sleep disturbance of some type.
  • hartfam6
    hartfam6 Posts: 1 Member
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    I kept telling my doctor how tired I was and all my bloodwork seemed fine. Then she looked in my throat about sinus drainage and went, "Oh, you have a very small airway! Do you snore?" YES! She sent me for a sleep study - it is sleep apnea and I now have a CPAP. Two months later and I feel so much better. Not sure if you snore? Use one of the snoring apps. And as everyone said - get to the doctor NOW.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,953 Member
    edited October 2018
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    How much sleep do you get at night (I haven't read any post where you answered how many hours you get at night - the answer could be WAY more simple than all these medical conditions...)? If you don't get enough, I personally feel naps are important (even for reducing hunger). If you're getting your ~8 hours, I'd do a walk. You can do a slow transition (like nap/walk every other day). Sometimes having more water can help a little too.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,953 Member
    edited October 2018
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    mtdb8 wrote: »
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    As others have said, get to a doctor and find the root cause of the tiredness. Good luck.

    I dont see how they could possibly find the right reason. It seems like there could be a million of them, and we dont have those kinds of specialists down here. I don't go to doctors unless I'm sick, so maybe I am unfamiliar with what's possible.

    I do know my thyroid, sugars and blood pressure are all fine. Those I had tested. So what else is there?

    Iron and ferritin levels, B12, etc. One blood test can tell you most of the answers (and many of the possibilities are corrected with the use of widely available, non-prescription vitamins). Most of the time, it's from simply not sleeping enough or not getting a restful sleep (insomnia, discomfort, interruptions, etc). And if your body is used to having a nap, of course it's going to feel like you should nap at your standard times. It takes time to change you body's routine. So it isn't necessarily a medical thing, it can be a habit thing. Doesn't hurt to look into those simpler options. Especially if you're not suspecting sleep walking, apnea or other disorders/medical conditions.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
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    Dumb logistical questions... where are you even going to take a 30 minute nap over lunch time? And you’re able to get to this place, lay down. fall asleep, wake yourself up and get back to being a productive employee all within 30 minutes time?

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    mtdb8 wrote: »
    If I wasnt ready to start taking it seriously, I wouldn't be here.

    Well you have pooh poohed every suggestion here, so not sure what else you're after?
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,442 Member
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    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Dumb logistical questions... where are you even going to take a 30 minute nap over lunch time? And you’re able to get to this place, lay down. fall asleep, wake yourself up and get back to being a productive employee all within 30 minutes time?

    Those were my questions, too. I won't even try to nap if I can't get two hours, in bed.
  • mtdb8
    mtdb8 Posts: 65 Member
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    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Dumb logistical questions... where are you even going to take a 30 minute nap over lunch time? And you’re able to get to this place, lay down. fall asleep, wake yourself up and get back to being a productive employee all within 30 minutes time?

    I sleep in the back of my car. Its daylight and private property and safe. I do keep the doors locked. And yes, I do fall asleep. I have an alarm on my phone that wakes me.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,442 Member
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    mtdb8 wrote: »
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Dumb logistical questions... where are you even going to take a 30 minute nap over lunch time? And you’re able to get to this place, lay down. fall asleep, wake yourself up and get back to being a productive employee all within 30 minutes time?

    I sleep in the back of my car. Its daylight and private property and safe. I do keep the doors locked. And yes, I do fall asleep. I have an alarm on my phone that wakes me.

    So, what did you decide? Are you going to try the walk?
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
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    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Dumb logistical questions... where are you even going to take a 30 minute nap over lunch time? And you’re able to get to this place, lay down. fall asleep, wake yourself up and get back to being a productive employee all within 30 minutes time?

    I know someone who used to "pee nap" in the bathroom stall at her work using her chest as a pillow. We won't discuss the issue of her not being on a break, therefore stealing company time.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,442 Member
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    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Dumb logistical questions... where are you even going to take a 30 minute nap over lunch time? And you’re able to get to this place, lay down. fall asleep, wake yourself up and get back to being a productive employee all within 30 minutes time?

    I know someone who used to "pee nap" in the bathroom stall at her work using her chest as a pillow. We won't discuss the issue of her not being on a break, therefore stealing company time.

    If I tried to use my chest as a pillow... :D Yeah. Not happening. #teamsportboobs
  • mtdb8
    mtdb8 Posts: 65 Member
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    .

    So, what did you decide? Are you going to try the walk?

    I'm going to try walking for a week and see how it goes. Thanks all.

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