I had a terrible winter of 2026. I refer to it as my health crisis.
I didn’t feel like myself, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. My energy was extremely low, and I couldn’t stay upright easily. I used my energy for my work as a Rolfer and was in bed by 7:00 pm. All of that was not the Sharon I knew. I am like the Energizer bunny – always going, going, going.
My immune system has always been strong. I don’t get sick. I don’t have allergies or food sensitivities. I don’t get headaches. I feel blessed to be alive, well, and in January, will celebrate twenty years breast cancer free.
Warrior Queen
I have survived many life-altering traumas, always popping back up like those clown punching bags everyone had when I was growing up. Kids would punch it hard, really smash it. It would fall backward. It would then wobble back up.
I’m like that – I have wobbled back up many times.
Last January I went to give blood. After initial tests, they wouldn’t let me donate. My heartbeat was too irregular. I had a bit of anxiety, so the nurse had me sit quietly for ten minutes to calm myself. I imagined I was sitting on the beach, reading a book and looking out to the horizon. When she came back, I was calm and peaceful.
My heart was not. It was worse than ten minutes before. What to do? I had an appointment with my osteopath five days later, so I chose to wait and deal with it then.
My osteopath immediately did an EKG. My heart was stuck in atrial fibrillation, which could cause damage to my heart, brain, and other vital organs. This was an issue to be dealt with NOW. So I saw a cardiologist, who confirmed that my heart was dangerously stressed and scheduled a series of tests to find out why. He explained I could have had a heart attack, a blood clot, a stroke, and would experience extreme fatigue. I was immediately put on meds while I awaited the test results.
When the results came, they showed that my heart was strong and healthy, and my blood tests showed no abnormalities. However, the sleep study unveiled the issue: severe obstructive sleep apnea.
Diagnosis
In the 80s and 90s, it seemed everyone with pain was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. In the 2000s, everyone seemed to have sleep apnea. Is this a trend? Is it real?
My pulmonologist reviewed my sleep study. I stopped breathing twenty-nine times an hour. Anything over fifteen stoppages is considered severe, preventing restorative deep sleep. I was prescribed a CPAP machine. Getting used to it has been annoying, but it’s working for me.
I have always had bad sleep hygiene. I go to bed late, wake up early, have tons of energy, and used to sleep only four to five hours a night. Now, on average, I sleep about six hours a night, and on weekends I can sleep seven or eight hours. My sleep apnea numbers have lowered from twenty-nine stoppages down to one to two an hour. I now go into deep sleep. I dream again. I relax more. I ask for help when I need it. My heart is back to normal rhythm and is considered healthy. For now, I will stay on the meds.
If you notice changes in your well-being, energy levels, or strain to accomplish what you used to, take action. Getting older doesn’t mean we deteriorate; it means we are changing and need to accommodate. I feel deeply grateful for recognizing what I needed to change and for choosing more care, rest, and ease in my life. Please take a look at yourself and be honest. Your life depends on it. Really.
Sharon Sklar is in her 45th year of private practice as a Certified Advanced Rolfer. For the past seven years, she has been voted one of Natural Nutmeg’s 10BEST Bodyworkers—an honor for which she is deeply grateful. Sharon combines direct manipulation of the body’s soft tissues with movement re-education through a ten-session series. Her work is designed to help clients feel freer, become more balanced, and reduce chronic pain. Rolfing® can support athletes, children, and adults as they recover from life’s stresses, injuries, or traumas. Inquiries are encouraged. State-licensed. Call 860.561.4337 for more information or to schedule a consultation. Visit: SharonSklarRolfing.com.
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