Central sleep apnea

[StJess80]

Any experiences? My home sleep study came back with the dx of central sleep apnea w/ 30 events an hour. I have to do another sleep study in the lab so they can figure out treatment, which will likely be a cpap with multiple settings instead of the usual one setting. It was explained to me that basically my brain doesn't send the breathe signals 30x an hour. I asked the nurse to clarify and she said that I just forget to breathe. Uh huh. I've had a full physical recently, so no worries about my heart (which I guess is the main culprit for this type) or anything else usually associated with CSA, so it's probably neurological. More tests for that later.

On a positive note, chances are my adhd is not as bad as my dr thinks, and she sees a drastic drop in my med doses once this is treated. I asked if there was a link between the adhd and CSA, but she said it's hard to tell at this point, and would be something a neurologist would deal with if I need to see one. It just all depends on how the formal study and treatment go.

[tacom]

I have obstructive sleep apnea and actually just went in today for an EKG and physical exam w/ a cardiologist. while my annual physical was normal, I wanted something more in depth. everything checked out great, but I'm happy to have a baseline because sleep apnea often gets more severe with age (weight gain; progesterone, a respiratory stimulant, drops around menopause; tonicity changes in the muscles).

I'd push for a full neuro and cardio work up.

I am not a big fan of your nurse's explanation (speaking as a patient here--not a provider) because breathing during your sleep is not a conscious act you can forget. the type of breathing we're talking about here is automatic and driven by your brain stem--a very important part of the brain that drives basic life functions. I'd push for an answer as to why that very important part of you isn't doing its job.

attention is absolutely mediated by levels of alertness and restfulness. I hope you start feeling like your best self again! good luck and please update if you feel comfortable.

[StJess80]

I looked it up and got the technical explanation, but I can see how that was the easiest way to simplify it. Having just gotten a physical, it doesn't appear to be related to any of the usual suspects, though of course, I can definitely lose weight. My dr has been tossing the idea around for a neuro visit anyway, because I tend to react exactly opposite of a medications intended effect, and it's been stumping her. I also get headaches 2-3x a day, so the sleep study was the first plan of attack.

[tacom]

for clarification, I had my EKG done to check for potential complications of sleep apnea, as the cause of my events is known (upper airway obstruction, largely mediated by sleep position, due to my tongue being relatively too large for my airway). the sudden drop in oxygen levels associated with apneic events can place quite the strain on your body; untreated sleep apnea can result in heart disease, stroke, liver damage, etc. getting the full work up helps me sleep better, but that might be the anxiety speaking.

[StJess80]

I think my heart is ok, but I did find out this week that I have elevated liver enzymes (ALT), so no alcohol or Tylenol for a month. I never take Tylenol and have maybe 2-3 drinks a month, so no worries on abstaining, but it made me curious as to why those levels were higher given my lack of drinking and such. Maybe it's tied in somehow.

With my heart, my blood pressure is good, and my hdl/ldl/triglycerides are all at a healthy level. I guess I don't really know much more than that now that I think about it though.