I struggled to get enough sleep at night. Most of my nights were plagued with tossing and turning, and I was always exhausted. I was dependant on coffee just to make it through the day. I often had trouble staying focused on tasks, no matter how small or simple they were. I had no idea why this was happening to me.
One day, it all changed. On a visit to the doctor, I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. My sleepless nights were becoming a reality. I was told that my breathing would slow during my sleep due to the poor structure of my upper airway, making it hard to breathe.
I felt fear wash over me. Sleep was now more of an obstacle than a relieving pleasure. I was anxious to know how this would affect my life in the coming weeks and months. I was no longer able to enjoy a good night’s sleep, which was detrimental to my overall health.
I soon regretted not getting it taken care of sooner. I could have prevented the fatigue, irritability and even anxiety I was now facing thanks to my undiagnosed and untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
I was devastated and had all these emotions bottled inside of me. I knew it was too late for me to change the course of my sleep, but I still felt like I had lost something. I felt like I had lost my independence, my control, and my ability to sleep peacefully. My life had been drastically altered by this condition, and I was filled with regret.
It was a long and difficult journey, but with the help of my doctor, I was gradually able to improve my condition and quality of sleep. But I knew that I would never be the same person I was before my diagnosis. The realization of my Obstructive Sleep Apnoea was a dark moment I will never forget.