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Anonimo

Dec 1, 2005, 5:50 AM

Post #1 of 26 (2800 views)

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Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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Does anyone have a recommendation for a sleep disorder specialist in Morelia or vicinity? English speaking is not a requirement, but would be a plus.

Mil gracias

cross posted on "El Bajío Central Highlands"

Saludos,
Anonimo

Bubba

Dec 1, 2005, 7:55 AM

Post #2 of 26 (2771 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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Just move to Ajijic for a month. Nobody has any trouble sleeping here. Excuse me but I feel an urgent need to take a nap.

Bloviator

Dec 1, 2005, 7:59 AM

Post #3 of 26 (2767 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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You must have been boogying at the plaza until 2:30 this morning, otherwise you would not have been in bed trying to sleep while the music and rockets went off. No wonder you need a nap. Party on.

1ajijic

Dec 1, 2005, 8:03 AM

Post #4 of 26 (2763 views)

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Re: [dlyman6500] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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It usually doesn't take too long to adjust to a villages special noises. Also, thick curtains and a tight house helps. We are two blocks from the plaza and sleep like babies even during Fiesta.
http://www.newbeginningsmexico.com

Anonimo

Dec 1, 2005, 8:14 AM

Post #5 of 26 (2760 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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This is no joking matter for me. My nights are hell.
Serious replies are appreciated. Thank you.

Saludos,
Anonimo

jennifer rose

Dec 1, 2005, 8:34 AM

Post #6 of 26 (2757 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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You might try Dr. Roberto Davalos or Dr. Efrain Davalos. Both are English-speaking ENTs in Morelia. I just thumbed through the Morelia phonebook, and I did not find anyone specifically advertised as a sleep disorder specialist. You know Dr. Rafael Diaz in Morelia, and he may be able to give you a better lead.

Marta R

Dec 1, 2005, 9:48 AM

Post #7 of 26 (2740 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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Anonimo, this isn't a direct answer but information from one insomniac to another. I've been unable to sleep well for at least four years, until on a doctor's advice I bought and started using a light therapy unit. Light therapy is usually prescribed for people suffering from Seasonal Affect Disorder, which probably isn't an issue in Mexico -- but within two weeks of starting use, I began sleeping peacefully through the night. This has continued for the past month.

Here are some links that might be of interest: http://www.columbia.edu/~mt12/blt.htm

http://www.nimr.mrc.ac.uk/...lEssays/1997/sad.htm (don't be put off by the opening -- it's really about the pineal gland and circadian rhythms).

A Google search will bring up more. I am not generally given to alternative medicine, but this stuff works.

Marta

Bubba

Dec 1, 2005, 10:06 AM

Post #8 of 26 (2729 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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Anonimo:

I did not mean to offend you. I meant to offend Ajijic. I wish you well in your quest.

johanson

Dec 1, 2005, 11:46 AM

Post #9 of 26 (2708 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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Bubba, I am not joking when I say this. Today for the first time in maybe 10 days I woke up, because there were not any fireworks and I couldn't go back to sleep, because for some stupid reason this bothered me this morning. Figure that one out.

gpk

Dec 1, 2005, 11:50 AM

Post #10 of 26 (2706 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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Altitude can affect sleep. If you are new to the 6000-7000 ft. altitudes of centreal Mexico, it may take you a while to adjust.

Bubba

Dec 1, 2005, 12:20 PM

Post #11 of 26 (2701 views)

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Re: [johanson] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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Pete:

As with you, I have been here long enough that I expect fireworks about 6:00AM and fret when they and The Band-That-Knows-No-Notes and the church bells are not on duty to remind me that it is nearly time to pick up three tons of dog poop in my garden and, consequently I am out of kilter until I can focus in on my total hatred of the anchor lady on CNN Morning News for an hour. Sometimes this makes me so cranky that I have to watch the news from Michoacan just to bring back a sense of optimism that I chose to live in Jalisco.

1ajijic

Dec 1, 2005, 2:01 PM

Post #12 of 26 (2677 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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I also hope that you do not think that my answer was anything but most sincere. My husband retired partially because of insomnia. He was in a high pressure job and was down to sleeping two hours a night. When he was a kid he lived in a railroad town with the massive freight yards a few blocks away and he had a firehouse behind his home. Try to sleep with that combo, but, he adjusted.

If all else fails get some Lunesta - it is nonnarcotic.
http://www.newbeginningsmexico.com

Gringal

Dec 1, 2005, 2:09 PM

Post #13 of 26 (2675 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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This one sure drew the wags out of cyberspace. I hope one of the docs Jennifer mentioned can give you a referral. Meanwhile, something that has helped me is a "sleep machine" that puts out a choice of white noises such as ocean surf, rain, etc.. The cheap ones are annoying, so go for a better version. I believe Sharper Image sells a fine one. Good luck. Nothing worse than watching the clock strike three. And four......

Marta R

Dec 1, 2005, 4:45 PM

Post #14 of 26 (2653 views)

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Re: [Gringal] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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You can also buy a CD of, for example, waves, and put it in a bedside system on "repeat" all night long. It's better, and cheaper, than the Sharper Image system. When my dad was dying, it was the only thing that let my stepmom get some sleep.

Marta

Cynthia7

Dec 1, 2005, 6:01 PM

Post #15 of 26 (2634 views)

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Re: [Marta Randall] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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I think that if one has sleep apnea one needs a sleep specialist. That can be pretty serious if not treated correctly. Firecrackers, pyrotecnical explosions and bells can be countered by ear plugs but waking up without enough oxygen can be deadly. A breathing device - Sea Pak_ or surgery can often help sleep apnea. I would think Mexico City or Guadalajara would have that kind of specialist.

Bloviator

Dec 1, 2005, 6:06 PM

Post #16 of 26 (2632 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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I also want to apologize. I was not making light of your problem. At one time when I was in the equipment rental business, I went almost two years with little or no sleep. Perhaps your problem is related to problems in your life. If so, dealing with them will help you deal with lack of sleep.

Also, when we first came here we did not sleep for two months. I second the thought that altitude and the whole new environment may be involved and that things will get better on their own. If, on the other hand, you are a longtime resident, I am absolutely out of line and apologize again.

Anonimo

Dec 1, 2005, 6:37 PM

Post #17 of 26 (2625 views)

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Re: [Gringal] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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I usually have no problem falling asleep. It's staying asleep for any length of time that's difficult.
GPK: I'm certain that the altitude played a part at first, but we've been here since Oct 1, and surely I should be acclimatized. There is no doubt that sleep apnea plays a part. The cold air is part of the problem but we are now running an electric heater in the bdr, damn the expense. There is also the change in circadian rythmns, as I go from being a gainfully employed American to a retired one. Remember, as a baker I used to get to work at 2 AM, etc. But I should have been over that pattern in the last 3 years,
I did have a great nap for 1 1/2 hours this afternoon. I listened to my iPod and partway through the playlist, I slept.

Saludos,
Anonimo

Bubba

Dec 1, 2005, 6:56 PM

Post #18 of 26 (2617 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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Anonimo:

Get serious. You move to Patzcuaro from Little Rock and wonder that the affect in change in altitude should be over in two months. You were also a baker arising at 2:00AM and now you are retired and living normal hours? You wonder why you can no longer sleep? After reading this I can no longer sleep either. What keeps me awake is the knowledge that you expect to sleep at all. Get up and cook those buns brother. Leave the sleeping to us. We'll get up soon enough and buy those buns.

Godawlmighty!

bcg

Dec 1, 2005, 7:22 PM

Post #19 of 26 (2610 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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Have you tried 3 mg of melatonin at about 6 pm and if that doesn't work try a second 3 mg at 10 pm. Do you have anyone around to witness you sleeping? Do you actually stop breathing? Are you avoiding alcohol in the evening? A pulmonary specialist attends to sleep apnea issues. BG ;'

Anonimo

Dec 1, 2005, 8:07 PM

Post #20 of 26 (2598 views)

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Re: [bcg] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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I may try melatonin next.
I have someone witnessing me sleeping, most of the time. I don't really know if I stop breathing, but it sure feels like it. I also had an overnight sleep study done in July, but I lacked confidence in the Clinic in various ways (which I won't go into here.), so I didn't fill the prescription for the CPAP.

I usually but not always avoid alcohol in the evenings. I'm a very light drinker anyway.

Our neighbor, a doctor from Morelia who comes to stay next door on weekends, said that he'd had very similar problems. He found out that if he abstained from bread/wheat products; dairy products, and pork, the problem was solved. As a bonus, he lost excess weight.
It's very hard for me, as a baker, to give up wheat, but I'm trying that diet, and I notice an improvement when I stick with it. When I went off of it, I felt like cr•p. (It's only been a week now since I started, but I fell off the no bread wagon a couple of times.)

Saludos,
Anonimo

sfmacaws

Dec 1, 2005, 9:26 PM

Post #21 of 26 (2581 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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When I was working, I spent 2 years working the midnight shift. The transition was difficult and the main problem was staying asleep, I'd fall asleep but wake up in a few hours and be unable to go back to sleep. I can vouch for the effectiveness of melatonin. I had 2 types, one 3mg pill that would help me go to sleep and another time-released 6mg one that I used more often to help me stay asleep. It took me several months with the melatonin before my internal clock adjusted somewhat to the hours. I was able to stop taking it after that except for the first few days after a vacation or some other break in my schedule.

I have also had problems sleeping when adjusting to high altitude. I keep melatonin around for that as well as for jet lag, it's a wonderful thing.

Look for the time released variety, it works much better for the symptoms you describe.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

Kimpatsu Hekigan

Dec 1, 2005, 9:43 PM

Post #22 of 26 (2574 views)

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Re: Melatonin is definitely worth a try...

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This is straying far from Mexico-related topics, but here goes...

I've used melatonin for several years to help me with "sleep maintenance" (sleep as a percentage of time in bed), especially with the problem of waking early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep for a long while.

Since melatonin has a half-life of only 35 to 50 minutes, a sustained-release formulation works better for this issue, if you can find it.

Also, I find the suggested dose levels mentioned by a previous poster (3 mgs twice before bed) to be much too high. Doses of 3 mg and higher are typically recommended for combatting jet lag, i.e., to re-set your circadian rhythym. But in my experience, 3 mgs makes my sleep problems worse and I'm much groggier in the morning when I'm supposed to be up and about, and alert.

I suggest starting with 1 mg or less for a week or so and see how it's working. If you notice a difference, try more, but be ready to back off on the dose levels.

HTH,

-- K.H.

Before enlightenment: Chop wood, haul water.
After enlightenment: Chop wood, haul water.

Anonimo

Dec 2, 2005, 2:22 AM

Post #23 of 26 (2556 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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Thanks to all who have responded, both with forum replies, and in PM's.
Thanks to the Moderator for allowing this thread to stand.

There IS hope.

Saludos,
Anonimo

dallmat

Dec 3, 2005, 9:35 AM

Post #24 of 26 (2465 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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Anonimo,
If you indeed have sleep apnea, it is unlikely that a diet change or melatonin will help you. You do not appear to be overweight in your picture, so weight loss would probably not help you sleep. Your problem could probably be more accurately described as difficulty breathing while you sleep rather than insomnia. Melatonin won't do a thing about your breathing. Try the CPAP. I've been using one for the last 10 years. It has made a huge difference in the quality of my life.
Good luck,
Dallas

Anonimo

Dec 4, 2005, 2:30 AM

Post #25 of 26 (2426 views)

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Re: [dallmat] Sleep Disorder Specialist MD?

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Thank you, dallmat; we'll be looking for one again when we go NOB.

Saludos,
Anonimo

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