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REP

(21,691 posts)

7. It is seriously under diagnosed in women

Mon Dec 26, 2011, 05:48 AM

Dec 2011

I start having severe symptoms in my 20s, but when I went to see a doctor, I was told that I was "too young, too thin and too female" to have sleep apnea. By the time I finally found a doctor who would take my symptoms seriously, I was blacking out without notice - mid-sentence, while driving, etc - and having hallucinations. My study results were the worst they'd seen; my oxygen saturation rate was under 60% and I never went beyond Stage 2 sleep. I have Mixed Apnea, which is both obstructive (I have a concha bullosa) and central (my brain 'forgets' to breathe).

Anyone can have sleep apnea. It is not something that happens to just older, heavier men.

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Warning! Your Police Officer's Sleep Disorder May Be Hazardous to Your Health [View all] McCamy Taylor Dec 2011 OP

It's not just police officers. Sleep disorders are misdiagnosed or go undiagnosed in every Brickbat Dec 2011 #1

I suffer from sleep apnea... CoffeeCat Dec 2011 #2

I am just curious but Skittles Dec 2011 #5

Sure, I don't NEED a program... CoffeeCat Dec 2011 #8

It is seriously under diagnosed in women REP Dec 2011 #7

YES... CoffeeCat Dec 2011 #9

Women have different symptoms, too spinbaby Dec 2011 #10

sleep is all. mopinko Dec 2011 #3

Yes, police are people, with dangerous stressful jobs. That only 40% have a sleep disorder Skip Intro Dec 2011 #4

Police officer isn't even in the top ten of dangerous jobs.. Fumesucker Dec 2011 #6

CNN says different - Skip Intro Dec 2011 #11

Police officer is number 11 on that list.. Fumesucker Dec 2011 #12

Um, no, it isn't. Skip Intro Dec 2011 #13