SoCS: sleep problems

I have quite a few problems involving sleep – or the lack thereof.

I often have trouble getting to sleep, staying asleep, waking up early and not being able to get back to sleep, not feeling rested after sleep. I’ve tried various things to help, all the sleep hygiene sorts of things, physician directed melatonin and medications, etc. but nothing seems to work long-term.

It seems, now that we know about my hEDS, cervical instability, Chiari, and a few more diagnoses, my sleep problems at least make sense.

One thing in particular may be due to a specific diagnosis. I developed sleep apnea a couple of years ago, although I score low on the Epworth scale. I’ve been treating it with an autoPAP, so I am breathing adequately while I sleep, which is, of course, a good thing.

One thing I wonder, though, is if I developed apnea at this time due to my Chiari malformation. One of the things that Chiari can cause is sleep apnea, so I’m wondering if, after my surgery, my sleep apnea may improve or even disappear. Sleep apnea can be caused by hEDS, though, so maybe not. It just seems odd to me because I’ve had the hEDS forever, even though it wasn’t diagnosed until this year. On the other hand, the apnea doesn’t seem to have started until the Chiari developed, obstentisibly in March ’24 when this big batch of troublesome symptoms started.

So, this post reveals one of the dangers of stream of consciousness – that the brain runs off using background info that the reader can’t follow. I’ll try to go back and put in some links that may help this make a little more sense.

It’d probably turn out better if I slept on it, but there isn’t time for that…
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Linda’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday this week is “sleep.” Join us! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/08/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-29-2026/

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Author: Joanne Corey

Please come visit my eclectic blog, Top of JC's Mind. You can never be sure what you'll find!

6 thoughts on “SoCS: sleep problems”

  1. I can relate to the brain running off when you’ve done a lot of research which I’ve done on brachioradial puritus, the frustrating nerve itch apparently caused by pressure and my cervical spine degeneration. Sleep and healing meditations or music on Youtube sometimes help. I tell myself that even if I’m not sleeping, I’m relaxing my mind and body. Healing prayers are on the way to you, Joanne.

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    1. And to you, JoAnna! I didn’t SoC about it but there are definitely nights when physical discomfort plays a role in my inability to fall asleep. I’m sorry that you deal with nerve compression. Because nerve and vascular compression are more likely in people with hEDS, I’ve read about them, although brachioradial puritus is not affiliated with hEDS. It is notable how problems with the neck can affect so many other body parts.

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        1. I think there was a lot of just putting up with things and accepting when doctors blamed symptoms on stress or hormones or thought you were just complaining over nothing. Unfortunately, it still happens with a lot of conditions, including hEDS. With the help of our research and interaction with others with the condition, we often know more about our disorder than the practitioners we see. Some are willing to listen and learn and help us, but, sadly in my experience, most are not. It’s incredibly frustrating, especially for people who are significantly debilitated and who can’t travel to find informed care, although, sometimes, telehealth is an option.

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