Sleep Disorders

[OneMoreTime]

My husband has a sleep problem which he would like me to present to you in the hopes that you might be able to shed some light on it.

Right now he has a sleep deficit, due to the fact that when he lies down (on his side) to go to sleep, he sleeps for 10 minutes or so, but then has to get up and sit on the side of the bed, unable to sleep any further. However, he is still sleepy because he is not getting enough sleep in a 24-hour period.

(He prefers to work at night and sleep during the day, but would be willing to change that if it were absolutely necessary.)

Exercise has helped on at least one occasion, when he walked vigorously around the livingroom for around 10 mins., and THEN tried to sleep shortly after that. He did sleep better. The problem is getting the energy to do that on a regular basis.

He doesn't snore but he does occasionally make noises in his sleep.

He CAN sleep at the kitchen table if he has his head on his folded arms, but eventually awakens there also.

EARLIER, he had what he terms a "sleep apnea" problem in that, BOTH while up and sitting in a chair, AND while trying to sleep, he would start gasping for breath and would have to take 5 or so deep breaths before his body equilibrated.

He has tried melatonin and tryptophan, with limited success. They make him drowsy when he does get up, and they don't seem to help that much. One of them (melatonin?) has on occasion caused a slight stomach upset.

Our questions:

Why bother going to a sleep disorder center if we are almost sure his current problem is not sleep apnea, and thus would not call for a (positive air pressure) mask?

Would a sleep disorder center/doctor give him the opportunity to TRY a mask on the first visit, thus seeing whether it worked or not? Or would he have to wait till the "sleep lab" phase, which might be even more distant in time than the initial appt?

How could a "jaw supporter" possibly help, when he does not (seem to, anyway) breathe through his mouth?

L-ornithine was suggested to "sponge up" supposed ammonia toxins in the brain, but has not yet worked to put him to sleep in the dosages he has taken. Has anyone had any experience with it?

[norton]

Hello,
There are two things that come to mind when reading of your husbands sleep problem. The first is that his circadian rhythm might be drastically out of 'sync' given your husband's sleep times (reversed from what is the norm). If he can change to try and sleep at night, I think that would be a big help. Having said that, I would really take a long, hard look at his diet. For instance, does he eat and drink many carbohydrates? Given both your opposite sleeping habits does he eat mostly convenience foods from the fridge?
In my experience carbohydrates play absolute havoc with me. I am not diabetic, but my body does not do well on that type of food. To be blunt, taking melatonin and tryptophan is a waste of time, because the effects of the food on the body is far greater than those two nutrients. You are placing too much faith in pills whether they are allopathic or 'health' medicines. There is no alternative for you but to go back to basics and eat nutritious foods in sensible quantities.
For me, I have had the greatest success following a book written by a British doctor, Professor Charles Clark called 'The high protein diet'. Yes, it is a low carbohydrate way of life, but it is easy to understand and put into practice. It is not all about eating meat and fish; vegetables play a big part in this regime. Intake of fruit (carbohydrate) is kept to small quantities. Believe me, this book and what it tells you to do is sensible (my opinion after reading many such books).
If you decide to go down this route, do not try it for a couple of days and then give up if you haven't seen any improvement. Give a try for at least one month and then decide.
Best of luck, remember, there are no short cuts to health and if you continue do do what you have always done, you will continue to get the same results that you have always got!

[OneMoreTime]

Dear Norton:

I continue to research my problem, and I am convinced, as you suggest, that it is carbohydrate that is the devil in my case. This might not be the case were I able to exercise more vigorously, but it has unfortunately BECOME the case. -husband

[norton]

Hello 'Husband',
If you do not mind me saying so, you appear to be placing too much emphasis on 'capsules' and 'exercise'. They are very much secondary to eating the 'right' food in order to get your body working as it should and will be if you reduce your carbohydrate intake to a minimum about 60g per day. The truth is that you actually need no carbohydrates to live, but nearly all fast food and convenience food are carbohydrates. There are two books that will help you do this. The first is the one I mentioned previously titled 'The high protein diet'' by Charles Clark. The second is by Barry Groves titled 'eat fat get thin'. I am British, but there is no biasness for these two British authors; I recommend them simply because they are superb. Charles Clark's includes an exercise section (Isometrics), but says exercise is unnecessary as the weight and your body will regulise just by eating this way. Barry Groves is even stronger on this point! Read up about insulin resistance and syndrome X to get a greater understanding than I am able to give here.
Best wishes
Norton

[mijimon]

Hi.

I have a chronic sleep diorder whereby a can only sleep for less than an hour, wake, sleep, wake etc.
I was sent to the sleep clinic and yes, they do try you out on a CPAP ( continual positive airways preassure). I was also tested with a mandibular split. That is like a full gum shield, but it keeps your bottom jaw forward when asleep. This is supposed to open the airways at the back of the throat to allow a clearer passage.
Unfortionatly, they both haven't worked for me, but they could work for your husband

How long has he had this condition? I don't want to worry you, but I have had this for some years now (over 20, I think) and just over18 months ago, I had a breakdown because my body and mind were not getting any 'regenative' sleep. I am now on incapacity benifit as I cannot work. Try to get your husband into the clinic as soon as you can.

I hopethis has been helpful