Sleep

[InquisitiveSoul]

My wife and I have been having a discussion about sleep.

My wife has noticed a pattern of me falling asleep since she has known me. When we were dating I'd regularly fall asleep while watching movies with her - I was also working 30 hours a week while working on 18 credits in college.

At various times during our marriage I have worked 2 jobs and been sleep deprived, but even now with a "normal" schedule I still fall asleep if I sit for too long. I don't wake up during the night very often and typically sleep fine. On Sundays I do find myself more tired after church and sometimes fall asleep after church if I don't keep moving.

Wife thinks I should visit the doctor. I don't fall asleep in the middle of activity like driving or walking, but I do feel like I fall asleep easier than most people I have known. I also have noticed my energy level seems to be the same no matter if I'm sleeping 5 hours or 8 hours. Anyone else recommend a visit to the doctor or have similar sleep habits?

[Guest]

Unless it's affecting your psychological make-up, I don't think it's a big deal.

I sleep 2 hours a day for consecutive days until my body crashes then I sleep 12 or more hours straight, then do another 2-hour-sleep cycle for days again. It's just the way it is. Dunno if you can call it insomnia. I just got used to it. Doesn't affect me any.

My uncle watches basketball and sleeps during the commercials (complete with loud snoring), then he would wake up when the game starts, then sleep again when the next commercial comes on. Amazing. He can go 2 days without sleeping, or go 2 days sleeping depending on what's going on. One of the smartest guy I know.

[MarginOfError]

I'm very similar to you. I've always been able to fall asleep any where in any position. I've fallen asleep standing up at times even. And I function quite well regardless of how much sleep I get. I only have problems staying awake when I'm sedentary.

There is a possibility that it could be related to slightly depressed testosterone levels, but you'd have to get tested to find out. And there's no telling if it'd be worth the intervention to treat it.

[MarginOfError]

By the way, congratulations on 100 posts!

[Dravin]

As someone who has trouble falling asleep quickly unless exhausted I just have this to say: I'm jealous.

[Suzie]

Wow, 5 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours of sleep? Lucky!

[Vanhin]

Do you snore? Has your wife ever noticed that it seems like you stop breathing from time to time while you sleep? Have you ever had a sleep study?

The symptoms you describe sound just like me before I was treated for sleep apnea. I never seemed to be fully rested, even after sleeping more than usual.

See if your doctor can get you hooked up with a sleep specialist. A full sleep study looks for sleep apnea, insomnia, RLS, etc...

Regards,

Vanhin

[pam]

I was thinking sleep apnea at first Vanhim until he mentioned he has the same energy level whether sleeping 5 or 8 hours. What he didn't mention was what that energy level is. Is it high or low?

I have sleep apnea and as my family can tell you, I can fall asleep anywhere. Just ask my brother in law on this site. I fell asleep years ago at a Thanksgiving dinner at his house. Right at the dinner table.

[InquisitiveSoul]

My energy level is a lot lower than it used to be, but I've thought that was probably something that came with age. I do snore about half the time from what my wife says. I've never had a sleep study done which is what my wife thinks I should do as well Vanhin.

[pam]

With what you just mentioned I think you need to check into having a sleep study done.

[rj77]

I think you should have a sleep study done. Sometimes, it may not be sleep apnea, but there can be other reasons that you don't get into the deep level of sleep. You can be getting a full night of sleep, but your body is still not rested if you're not getting into the deeper sleep. I had a sleep study done, and that is the problem I was having, even though I don't have sleep apnea. I once fell asleep driving in the later afternoon...thankfully I was alone and I didn't get hurt or hurt anyone else. Trust me, it's important to get to the root of the problem!

Hope this helps!

[Moksha]

Sure does sound like sleep apnea. Your doctor might have you wear a wrist meter measuring your blood's saturation with oxygen before you schedule a full sleep study. Get this treated and you will feel much better.