You guys have been so supportive and helpful that I thought I would turn to you once again for your advice.

I am often scared that something is seriously wrong with me. I am constantly exhausted, and at times am overwhelmed with it. Sometimes I collapse on my couch after work -- even after just a four hour shift, and lie there breathing heavily for 2+ hours. All I can do is feel my breathing and my heartbeat. I can't sleep, nor can I do any useful thinking. My mind drifts, and I feel as if I am dying. Of course, I have no idea what it feels like to be dying, but when it's all I can do to lie completely still, when breathing takes up all my energy and is all I can concentrate on; I worry.

I used to hike up a mountain about once a year. About 5 or 6 years ago, I suddenly could not do it without stopping and resting and catching my breath every few minutes. It was dramatically different than what I was used to my body being able to do. There was no reason for it that I could think of, except that I'd passed the age of 40.

My mental faculties have disintegrated greatly. My ability to concentrate, remember things, use judgment, problem solve, or just plain think has been greatly reduced. I can barely function at work, and when I am home, I am too tired to do the physical tasks, and unable to do the mental tasks that I would like to do. I am way behind in my correspondence with friends, because I sometimes cannot complete an email. I have always been a writer, and I have a constant flow of ideas and lots of material to work from, but I do not have the mental energy to write. I write one or two sentences, and then am exhausted.

This is all very scary and sad to me. I have a very strong urge to create, and I used to be a talented writer. Now it can take me several minutes to think of a common word that I cannot recall. To write just one page is overwhelming - and something I haven't done in years. [I can write a post like this because it doesn't take any creative energy, I just write what I'm thinking, and spend a lot of time editing afterwards.]

Can this all be due to the fact that for years I have only been sleeping 3-4 hours per night, interrupted by apneas? I used to be able to sleep five hours, 5 or 6 years ago. I've had a lifetime of insomnia, and sleep has just been dwindling over the years.

Another factor I wonder about is that I take the generic form of Klonopin. I only take 2 mg. per night, to help me fall back asleep with my frequent awakenings. I wonder sometimes if it is the klonopin that makes me so overwhelmingly tired. Yet that would not explain the decline in mental functioning.

My physician's assistant assumes that my chronic fatigue is due to my sleep problems. I guess because I've had sleep problems my entire life, and yet have NEVER felt this tired until recently, and in my earlier years was able to function fairly well - I often feel as if there must be something more serious going on that we don't know about.

Since you all have at least one sleep disorder, I wonder if you can tell me if what I described is common with long-term sleep disorders.

Thanks so much.