A near-fatal accident led Dave Whelan to uncover a severe sleep disorder
Liverpool: Dave Whelan always felt tired and grumpy. He’s 46 now, but even as a teen, he’d nap on the sofa after school. It was just part of his life. He never thought much of it until a car crash changed everything.
After years of snoring and fatigue, he finally crashed his car while leaving the M1. A car in front of him slammed on the brakes, and he swerved to avoid it, ending up hitting a tree. Thankfully, he walked away with just some aches.
After the accident, he pushed for a sleep apnea test. His work helped him get a private sleep study, and the results were shocking. His reaction times were like those of an 80-year-old! Doctors diagnosed him with severe sleep apnea, where his breathing stopped 54 times an hour.
To get better, he had to use a CPAP machine while sleeping. The change was immediate. For the first time, he woke up feeling refreshed. He couldn’t believe how good it felt to not be tired all the time.
His mood improved, and he became more active. He started doing things right away instead of lounging around. His partner noticed the difference, and even his kids saw that he was less grumpy. He stopped napping during the day and felt more focused.
Now, Dave jumps out of bed, makes breakfast, walks the dog, and even deep-cleans the house. He wishes he had sought help sooner. Life feels easier now, and he’s genuinely happier. He calls himself “Dave 2.0,” a whole new person.
