Could this be a sleep disorder?

[earprints]

Hi, I’ve been struggling with a chronic head condition since August 2008 and I’m now at wit’s end. Most hours of the day I suffer from this persistent “drugged,” “drunk-like,” “woozy” feeling going on in my head. I wouldn’t, however, really call it dizziness or fogginess.  It’s severely affected my social life (I hardly go out any longer) and I’m barely coping at work. I just can’t seem to resolve this and it’s distressing! I’ve seen several types of doctors/alternative doctors and so far nothing:

Primary Doctor (2x)
Neurologist (1x)
ENT Doctor (1x)
Chiropractor (1x)
Holistic/Nutritionist/Chiropractor (1x)
Upper Cervical Chiropractor (2x)

I’ve had the following tests taken and they all came back NEGATIVE:

- 2 blood tests (among other things, the tests tested for Lyme, Hepatitis C, Mono, AIDS)
- CAT Scan (Sinus, head – w/o contrast) [this did show, however, that I have a deviated septum]
- MRI (Brain)
- EEG

At this point I DON’T think it’s:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Anemia
Something Nutritionally-related
Electro-sensitively

The only other ideas I have right now are:
Some type of Sleep Disorder (e.g., Sleep Apnea)
Anxiety
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

I’m supposed to get a Sleep Study done soon. But I don’t think it could be Sleep Apnea since I don’t fit the description (34 years old, thin). I thought that *maybe* it could be anxiety-related which I definitely suffer from.  I have Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (sporadic twitching) which might have been brought on by stress/anxiety. I also have Tinnitus which may/may not have been induced by anxiety (actually I think it came about from over-exposure to loud music). So could this head condition somehow be anxiety-related? I know that dizziness is often a symptom of anxiety but being that I don’t have that, I’m wondering whether my “drugged,” “drunk-like,” “woozy” feelings could still brought on by it. I’ve occasionally taken the anti-anxiety medication Klonopin to see if that would help but it hasn’t. I’ve made an appointment with a Psychiatrist and I’m praying that he can shed some light on this issue.
Any other ideas/advice you might have would GREATLY be appreciated. I want to get on with my life!

Many thanks, Ami

[CareerLady]

I agree with KatEyes - get the sleep study done :) As she points out, some people's sleep is disturbed by breathing problems that are not caused by being older, heavier or male, the typical sleep apnea patient. Sleep disruption can be caused by the shape of mouth/throat, nasal passages and jaws. In addition, sleep disruption mostly makes you sleepy. But for some people, paradoxically, it causes insomnia. And symptoms of anxiety. While your visit to a psychiatrist could be helpful, I think you should be careful. Many doctors prescribe powerful drugs without looking for the underlying medical conditions, and that is not safe. Many specialists seem to know very little outside their area of expertise, and with sleep medicine, it requires a knowledge of several other medical areas.

[KatEyes]

It is not uncommon when sleep is not restorative to experience a mental fogginess, so in view of your other tests not showing a cause, the sleep study sounds like a good idea. There are other sleep disorders besides sleep apnea. But sleep apnea is not seen only in the older overweight population. Throat or jaw structure is sometimes the culprit and seen in the young and slender. Hope you find the answers you seek.