From Brain Fog to Bright Mornings: My Visit to a Sleep Specialist

For months, I couldn’t think clearly. I’d wake up tired. I’d forget things. My head felt heavy all day. I thought I just needed more rest, but even after eight hours in bed, nothing changed.

I started skipping morning meetings. Coffee stopped helping. My work slipped. People thought I was lazy, but I knew something was off.

That’s when someone said, “Maybe it’s your sleep.” I didn’t take it seriously at first. I wasn’t snoring. I didn’t wake up gasping. But I was always tired, no matter how long I slept.

The Decision to See a Sleep Specialist

After weeks of frustration, I searched online for a sleep specialist in India. I found the Sleep Medicine Institute, and the website talked about sleep apnea, insomnia, and even something called CBT-I therapy. I booked an appointment.

The process was simple. The consultation was online. I didn’t have to leave home. A doctor asked me about my sleep habits, work hours, and health history. It didn’t feel rushed.

They suggested a home sleep study. They sent a small device to my home. I wore it at night. It tracked my breathing, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns.

The Diagnosis

When the report came, I was shocked. I had mild sleep apnea. Not the kind with loud snoring or choking. Just small pauses in breathing that kept disrupting my sleep cycle.

The doctor explained how this can cause daytime fatigue, mood swings, and memory issues. It made sense. I finally had a reason for my constant brain fog.

They also said poor sleep can affect heart health, blood pressure, and even metabolism. I didn’t know that before.

The Treatment

I didn’t need a CPAP machine right away. The doctor suggested positional therapy, some simple breathing exercises, and better sleep hygiene. I also started CBT-I — a type of therapy that helps with insomnia by changing how you think about sleep.

We talked about screen time, late meals, and irregular sleep schedules. I adjusted my routine. No phones in bed. Fixed sleep and wake times. Lighter dinners.

They also gave me tips to deal with sleep anxiety. I didn’t even know that was a thing. But yes, I had started dreading bedtime.

The Changes I Noticed

The results weren’t instant. But within two weeks, I felt a difference. I woke up less tired. I didn’t need five cups of coffee. I could focus better.

One morning, I actually woke up before my alarm — feeling clear-headed. That hadn’t happened in years.

My mood improved. I started enjoying small things again — like reading, walking, or even just cooking.

It wasn’t magic. It was science, routine, and support.

What I Learned

You may be unaware that you have sleep apnoea.

A home sleep test is simple and helpful.

CBT-I can work better than sleeping pills for many people.

Seeing a sleep medicine doctor is not just for older people.

If you’re always tired, struggling to focus, or feel like your brain is in a fog — it could be a sleep issue. Don’t guess. Get checked.

I’m glad I didn’t ignore it. The help I got from the Sleep Medicine Institute changed my life. Not in a dramatic way. Just in a way that made mornings feel okay again.