Brainsprain.net

I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea late last year and received a machine (CPAP) to treat it on January 12th, 2007. I endured sores on the inside of my nostrils to acclimate myself to the machine, insisting on wearing it all night, every night in spite of the recommendations that I wear it for a few hours a night and gradually work up from there.

For the first time in years, I truly woke up.

Without prompting from anyone, I began my diet just over two weeks later and now have lost almost 40 pounds, I work out every day, and feel like I can think again. If you snore or think you might have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor. It might make as huge a difference in your quality of life as it has mine.Â

“…Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

That’s what the government believes, anyway. It’s apparent in the new Daylight Savings Time rules enacted in 2005 quietly under the guise of energy savings to extend DST by 4 weeks this year. Having read several studies that show a decrease in energy consumption by 0.7%, studies that show that it’s a net wash, and studies that show that there is actually an increase in energy demand in the mornings, I have to say it’s not enough proof to warrant changing the damned clocks every time the temperature changes.

“It’s just the clocks, Chad, calm down!” you say.  Nope, it’s not “just the clocks.” As someone with a recently diagnosed (and now treated) sleep disorder I can tell you that one hour of sleep can make worlds of difference to your sense of well being. Also, having to make sure that my TV, cable box, stove, blackberry, phone, computers and cars all have the right time to get me where I need to be at the right time is a pain I shouldn’t have to deal with.  What’s the point in having self-setting clocks if I have to SET THEM?

Stupid Federal Government…

The doctor called, and I finally got the results back from my sleep study.  I have severe sleep apnea.  So far as I can tell, this mostly just means that I’ll be getting a CPAP machine on Friday and then should start sleeping better than I have in years.  Stay tuned for more information.

When my doctor asked me to get a sleep study, I really didn’t have any clue what to expect. I read all the descriptions online and found them vague and not particularly useful. I therefore decided to write as complete a description as possible for others so they might know what, exactly, to expect. This is an account of my sleep study. Your mileage will vary. Read the rest of this entry »