Almost Lifelong

I am 76 YO male. I can remember way back in my 20's that I could not read a book without falling asleep after reading only a few pages.

Signs of extreme fatigue in early adulthood - is it idiopathic hypersomnia?

Brushed it off as being bored with reading.

In my 30's and early 40's I noticed that I would conk when I would go to a movie after only a few minutes of the movie starting. Always feeling like I'm running on empty. Always exhausted.

I was working a lot (12 to 16 hours daily) and attributed it to being exhausted from work.

Seeking answers: A sleep apnea diagnosis

In my 50's I asked doctors why am I so tired all the time.

After many tests I finally got a sleep apnea test and diagnosed with apnea. I got the mask and apnea machine to use every night.

I had hopes that the apnea treatment would finally be the answer and give me some relief from this total exhaustion. NOT SO.

The progression of chronic sleepiness after retirement

Over time the condition continued to get worse. I would tune into a TV show I thought I wanted to see and fall asleep within 5 minutes of the start of the show.

In my 60's and 70's I cannot get past the first few minutes of TV or movie before conking out.

I hoped that after retirement things would get better. It did not. As I am typing this I am fighting the urge to go to sleep. Whatever this is, it is a maddening condition.

The reality of living with unexplained exhaustion

My wife always remarks that she has never seen anyone fall asleep as quickly as I. She checks my breathing to see if I am alive. I hope that sometime soon there will be a discovery that will help people suffering like this.