My friend drove me to see my pulmonologist yesterday. I just cannot sleep. I'll either not e able to go to sleep, or I'll wake up after 2-3 hours and can't get back to sleep. I do some of my most creative work in the wee hours in the morning. Of course. I feel like a zombie most of the time.
He suggests a sleep test. So, I'm going in Monday evening the 10th for the test. That means getting a ride to the hospital at 8 PM and having someone pick me up at 7 AM Monday. I don't feel comfortable leaving DH all night by himself. I suppose he could do it but inasmuch as I'm going to be all hooked up to wires, etc., I don't want to have to be worried about him.
The boys both said "how come he can't stay by himself? Are you over reacting? He seems ok to me.. etc." Our daughter is going to be taking me and staying here with Daddy. Her response? "Of course, he needs someone with him. Don't you remember when he let that guy in the house . Don't you remember when he went outside in the middle of the night in the dead of winter with 6i" of snow on the ground in his underwear and barefooted?
Now she wants to know what's wrong with her brothers' heads. Why don't they understand?
I'm ok. Just very tired. Dr wants to rule out speep apnea and then do other stuff. He did tell me to tell my GP that the antidepressants weren't doing the job and to adjust that medication.
I am glad your daughter sees the truth. Your sons sound typical denial. Plus, maybe if they acknowledge their dad can't stay by himself, that means there is something wrong and will burst their image of their dad.
Hope they find the reason cause you need your sleep or you may be one of those caregiver's that die before their ill spouse.
No, grandson only stays the weekend once in a while. He's still in high school and has quite a few responsibilities at home. He drives me around every 2-3 weeks, helps me with my shopping, vacummes the rug. Now it's spring and he's all gung-ho to do yard work. He says he wants to own his own landscaping business someday. I wish him well. He and I have come up with a good price for his help and the e$$ goes into his college fund. He told me the other day he already has his first 2 years of tuition saved up. He's a junior now. I think that is just spectacular and I told him how great it was. He said "Oh, gramma, you are so predjudiced." With a lovely smile. I think he knows I love him dearlyh.
Mawzy, I can relate to much of what you mention. We have four adult children. Two sons, who live close. The two daughters live about 2 hrs. away. The sons don't comprehend DH's limitations INSIDE the house because they don't have that kind of experience with him. The daughters come..and of course they do know. I think its just hard for them to actually realize the unpredictability of the behaviors...even though we tell them.. until they have that experience. It is often baffling enough to me. I will say though, that our grandson who is also a junior, is completely wonderful about taking DH to check his cows. He's calm and respectful and doesn't let his bafflement show. I'm so thankful for him Good Luck with your sleep study..
Mawzy, I know how you feel. My daughters are very supportive, my sons used to be in denial, but this year have come around. You are probably like I was and afraid to sleep deeply because our husbands are "active" during the night. Since I got a doorknob that can only be opened with a key, I sleep deeply now. It is wonderful!
I hope that your sleep study works out well for you and that you can begin to sleep well during the night too.
Mawzy, I had the same symptoms you have and had a sleep study done three years ago. It showed I have no REM sleep, which is the restorative sleep that the body needs. The sleep study doctor said there isn't anything that can be done for it unlike sleep apnea which you can use the CPAP machine.
I take generic Ambien which puts me to sleep right away, but I don't sleep deeply so I always heard Claude during the night. It's been two months now, but I still don't sleep deeply. It's hard to break a 6+ year habit I guess :-)
Ambien has had a bad rap because of side effects some people develop. Some people on my fibromyalgia board have said they sleepwalk, get up and eat, some drive and never remember it when they wake up. I have never had any side effects with it.
Yayyyy for your daughter Mawzy!!! Have your test in peace knowing that all is safe at home. I hope that it turns out well for you and maybe something simple like Mary's suggestion will help out!
Sleep is very important. I rely on it daily ((((((((((giggles)))))))))))))).
redbud73086, I had/have fibromyalgia and took ambien for years and years. No bad side effects. Quite the contrary. I was able to sleep and cope. Good luck Mawzy, I think you have one fantastic grandson! I know there are alot of good kids out there but they never get the press that the problem kids get. I guess nobody is interested in good things-only the "dirt". He must be quite a hard worker to have 2 years tuition already saved. I applaud him. I also hope he is balanced. As it is said, "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". I hope he has hobbies and friends that he interacts well with socially. You are lucky he is so willing to be there with your dh. My 24 yr old daughter has a great deal of problem dealing with Dad. She is just so heartbroken.
My grandson is VERY well rounded. He is a musician--composes and arranges his own music. He makes CDs. His instrument of choice is the saxaphone--alto and tenor. He also plays the piano and a little drum. He plays the saxaphone. Then he plays the piano and records that over the saxaphone. Then he puts in the drum and the saxaphone in a different key. He does it all himself. It's amazing. I wanted to know if it was hard to do and he said "not if you know what you're doing." I suggested that was true with most of life.
He's a very good student. Has lots of friends. Just a very neat kid. Love him dealy! You can tell. !!!
To those of you who asked about Noche`, he's just wonderful. I think he is a Bombay cat--a cross between the American Short hair and the Burmese. I found this link and it pretty much describes him. Whatta guy!! He's been going outside during our lovely spring sunny days. He brings in all kinds of little treats for me--angle worms, pine cones, a dead bumble bee and today--a caterpillar. A very generous cat. :)
My gson and his buddy are coming over tomorrow afternoon and taking me to Costco. Then, they are having dinner with DH and I, sleeping over, getting up early, showering, and taking us to church. After church, they are going to spade up my garden.
Now, I want you guys to know I do pay them well and they earn every penny of it. But I still think it's great that they would choose to spend that much time with us at their ages. Maybe it's because they don'g have girl friends at this time. I think i'll just enjoy every minute of this as long as it lasts.
That is great Mawzy. My grandson is 18 and graduating this year. He has done paid work for me over the last couple years. He is a very good worker but not too anxious to come very often because of "other things to do" He does have another job with a cleaning business 3 times a week so with school and all he does still need kid time. He is going away to College this fall and I will miss him. SIL is my saving grace. He is disabled with back problems so he helps us and we pay him. He can do anything and gets along great with dh.