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A New Rhythm
A former roadie rediscovered rest after years of sleepless nights.
For Mike Ziebka, going to bed was different from going to sleep. Restorative sleep was hard to come by. But thanks to support from the Sarah Bush Lincoln Sleep Disorders Center, both Mike and his wife, Jan, are sleeping better than they have in a long time.
Mike’s sleep had been problematic for years— partly because of undiagnosed sleep apnea (a potentially serious disorder in which the breathing repeatedly stops and starts) and partly because his job required him to travel across the country— working until 3 am—setting up and tearing down stages and sound systems for live music performances. That schedule went on for decades, and it made establishing and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule exceedingly difficult.
Sarah Bush Lincoln Advanced Practice Provider Michael Heise, PA-C, referred Mike to the SBL Sleep Disorders Center in November, where a sleep study revealed sleep apnea as the cause of Mike’s snoring. Mike is grateful for how simple and efficient the test was. “They put sensors on my body, showed me everything available in the room and let me sleep,” he said.
Mike received a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine to regulate his breathing while he sleeps. Since then, Mike has slept much better. “I can get four to six hours of continual sleep before I wake up for a bit, and that seems like an eternity from what it used to be,” he explained.
With improved sleep, Mike has more energy and wakes up ready for the day. He also has a fresh perspective. “We have seven grandkids now, and I want to be a part of their lives,” he said. “I want to be in as good of shape as possible, so I can be with them for a long time.”
Mike reflected on his past difficulties. “At some point, I had learned to cope with the sleeplessness, so I could ensure the concerts and shows went fine,” Mike said. What he did not know, however, is the far-reaching impact that sleep deprivation has on the body. In fact, it negatively affects— in multiple ways—these body systems: endocrine, immune, respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, and central nervous. It was Jan who convinced Mike to finally seek help; his snoring impacted her sleep too much to ignore.
“We were on a cruise a few years ago. That first night, she used her phone to record me, and I finally understood what she had been describing to me,” Mike said. “I realized that now that I’m retired, she’d have to deal with that more often.”
Mike is grateful to Sleep Lab Supervisor Eric Bruns, Administrative Assistant Lexi Himes and Registered Sleep Lab Technologists
Rodney Wildman, Josh Nichols and Rachelle Hendrickson for their care and support. “They were all spectacular. They assured me that I wasn’t a bother and that I can always come back to them if I have any questions,” he said.
For more information about SBL Sleep Disorders Center, call 217 238-4908.