Sleep Apnea
 

Does anyone know if sleep apnea can be related to the ms? I've been having a lot of trouble breathing and catching my breath. They have checked my oxygen level and my lungs and everythings checks out fine. So they want me to take a sleep apnea test.

Thanks in advance for responding.:grouphug:

I am told that I snore ( :rolleyes: ), and gasp for air quite often (I know that part is true, cause it wakes me up). I have had that since I had sinus surgery in the mid-90's, but have never had a sleep study done.

There is a disposable testing device on the market that I am thinking of buying, called "SleepStrip". It is about $60, and is apparently rx'd (so possibly covered by your insurance...?):

http://www.sleepstrip.ca/
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/conten...00003/art00008
http://qualitymedicalinc.com/SleepstripFAQ.pdf

Cherie

awe, thanks Cherie,
 

I can always count on you! Thanks for the info! It's great that you know so much:wink:,,,, but maybe not so great that you have been through so much!!!:p

Thanks

i was feeling like that at one point and had the sleep study.
very informative.
it was suggested i lose weight and the first 10-20 lbs got rid of the problem.

i was fitted for cpap and a mask but just couldn't sleep with it and gave it up.

it's worth looking into.

I'm sorry that you are dealing with all of this and hope you get some answers real soon!!!:hug:

My nanan had Progressive MS and she also suffered from Sleep Apnea. Her Neurologist decided to conduct a sleep study and found out that she would stop breathing at least 5 times an hour for quite a long time. It was so bad that in the end, she ended up having to have a CPAP machine to try and help control some of the symptoms.

I would suggest getting a sleep study if the symptoms are really bad if you haven't had one already. I hope you get some answers soon and am keeping you in my thoughts!!

Thank you Ali and Judy,
 

They are scheduling a sleep study for me. Hopefully I can figure out what is going on. I just never know if its the ms causing something or not. Maybe it doesn't matter, just so I deal with these things one at a time and take care of them. It just seems, sometimes, like a full time job taking care of ALL that seems to crop up!

Thanks for the info. Bless you both!:hug:

I remember someone saying to me that I'll know it is time to leave the workforce, when "the MS becomes a full-time job". When it got to the point that all I could do in a day was manage the symptoms, appointments, fatigue, exacerbations, etc. . . . that's when I medically retired.

You are right, friend! :hug:

Cherie

Yes, I'm so glad I did not go back to work this school year. The doctor knew more than I did. There is no way I could have made it. It does seem the MS has become a full time job. I had never thought of it that way. You are so right!

I have sleep apnea and use a cpap (hate it but wouldn't go to bed without it) but I also need to loose weight and I do knowt that weight can be a big factor in develping sleep apnea.

Snoods

I thought I had sleep apnea at first. Had the sleep study done and they only told me that my legs jerked quite often and disturbed my sleep. The doc that ordered the sleep study just tossed me a bottle of Mirapex and said "No, you don't have Parkinson's." Since Mirapex is used for Parkinson's.

Later, I received the MS diagnosis. I'm sure that the 'twitching' was due to MS. Just wish the first doc had recognized it. Oh well, doesn't make any difference in the long run.

I have sleep apnea which causes loud snoring, unfortunately its not anatomical which could be fixed by surgery. I've had it for sometime and am now looking into a CPAP.

I've had two sleep studies and actually stop breathing over five times within an hour or less. Its been about three years since my last study.

I have severe sleep apnea. My neuro is the one who suggested the sleep study when I was complaining of fatigue. I was certain I didn't have it, I don't snore and in my mind I just couldn't imagine that I would have to deal with one more "problem".

So I humored him and took the test. Was I ever suprised to find out I had it. I now sleep with a CPAP and feel so much more rested when I wake up. I hated it at first but you get used to it.

I don't know if it is caused by my MS, that has never been suggested. I could stand to lose some weight which I've been told can take care of it. But my SIL, who is thin, also has it, so who knows?

If you dr wants you to do the study, I say go for it. Good luck!

Went for 3 month check up with neuro...
 

...today, he said I'll probably need to have a sleep test. First he changed one of my medications to morning instead of night (Effexor). I'll give that a week or two. But if I don't get some sleep, I will definitely go for the test. I hope it is as simple as the meds.

But, thank you for telling me your story. I am so sure I don't have sleep apnea, and now I'm thinking....well....okay...anything is a possibility. Why not..... two years ago you couldn't have told me I have MS!!! Thanks...:hug: