Guest guest Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 This sleep study thing is very interesting. I am having TC surgery in a few weeks and TCI asked me to get a copy of my sleep study I had done in 2003. I use a CPAP for sleep apnea. I had asked on another forum if they thought I might not need the cpap if the surgery helps me. They said if my apnea was central, then maybe I might not, but if it was obstructive than I still would. Well, I assumed it was obstructive due to my horrible snoring (according to dh) and that was that. We are pretty funny the two of us. Mr and Mrs Darth Vadar, as we both have CPAPS and must look pretty funny sleeping if someone looked in our bedroom window. Anyway, I hate my mask, but don't want to stop breathing in my sleep so am resigned to the fact I have to wear it. I got my report the other day and it does not say one way or the other about obstructive or central. I never saw the pulmonary doctor who wrote up the report, only paid him money for reading it. I can't find him now as he is not where he used to be 4 yrs ago.At the time, I went in for 1 sleep study with no CPAP and came back a week later for another with a CPAP. I never have trouble falling asleep, just staying there. I wake up 3 or 4 times a night.I still don't sleep well, even with the machine and never feel rested. Part of that is not being able to lay in 1 position too long and they need to turn and part is just waking. I just wanted to put in my experience as sleep apnea is one of my symtoms that may or may not be cm. Wendi in PA CM/TC TC surgery set for 1/3/08 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 24, 2007 Report Share Posted December 24, 2007 How do you know if it is central or obstructive sleep apnea? I have sleep apnea and use cpap and O2, it's been scary lately, because I've found myself wake up and take my mask off intending to get up and I fall back to sleep. When I wake up, my eyes are blood red, swollen, horrible headache, heart irregular, scared. My NP said that's how people die with sleep apnea. It's scary, I've thought of asking about the surgery for obstructive, but don't know how they know that will help with chiari. Appreciate any input. God Bless, Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 25, 2007 Report Share Posted December 25, 2007 The difference is in whether a blockage in your airway causes your oxygen to drop, therefore causing you to wake and gasp for air (obstructive), or if a drop in O2 level causes your sleep/wake center to react and " wake up your brain " causing you to take deeper breaths. With Obstructive sleep apnea you physically wake up, with central sleep apnea you do not. The outcome is still the same on your sleep pattern--you don't get a restful nights sleep. The difference is that with obstructive sleep apnea there are physical outward symptoms (snoring, stopping your breathing then gasping for air), where as with central sleep apnea there are no outward physical symptoms as it is neurological in nature. When you had your sleep study they should have been able to tell which kind you had. If they told you were having times where you stopped breathing and gasped for air you have obstructive sleep apnea. People like me with central sleep apnea never actually stop breathing--our O2 levels just drop as we sleep causing our sleep/wake centers to react to that drop making our brain wake up enough to breath deeper. decompressed may 06 Amyabrisch@... wrote: > > How do you know if it is central or obstructive sleep apnea? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 25, 2007 Report Share Posted December 25, 2007 AWESOME description – Thank You!!! But I have to ask the group now….. For those who have been decompressed, with central sleep apnea – has the sleep apnea gone away? Some nights the apnea comes in handy – like once a year when I get to double as a jolly old fella… :-) Merry Christmas to all…. And to those sleeping… a restful nights rest! in OH _____ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Porter Sent: Tuesday, December 25, 2007 1:12 AM To: Subject: Re: Sleep Study The difference is in whether a blockage in your airway causes your oxygen to drop, therefore causing you to wake and gasp for air (obstructive)-, or if a drop in O2 level causes your sleep/wake center to react and " wake up your brain " causing you to take deeper breaths. With Obstructive sleep apnea you physically wake up, with central sleep apnea you do not. The outcome is still the same on your sleep pattern--you don't get a restful nights sleep. The difference is that with obstructive sleep apnea there are physical outward symptoms (snoring, stopping your breathing then gasping for air), where as with central sleep apnea there are no outward physical symptoms as it is neurological in nature. When you had your sleep study they should have been able to tell which kind you had. If they told you were having times where you stopped breathing and gasped for air you have obstructive sleep apnea. People like me with central sleep apnea never actually stop breathing--our O2 levels just drop as we sleep causing our sleep/wake centers to react to that drop making our brain wake up enough to breath deeper. decompressed may 06 HYPERLINK " mailto:Amyabrisch%40aol.com " Amyabrischaol (DOT) -com wrote: > > How do you know if it is central or obstructive sleep apnea? > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.17.4/1189 - Release Date: 12/18/2007 9:40 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.17.4/1189 - Release Date: 12/18/2007 9:40 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 25, 2007 Report Share Posted December 25, 2007 I had two kinds of apnea. I recall they called it obstructed (very few incidences) but that most of my waking problems they used some word that was basically unobstructed, I would have to find the documents to see if it said CSA or not. After decompression, I slept great, through the night and woke up rested, for about 2-3 years. However, I started waking up every few hours again. I have a new sleep study scheduled for next week and have not scheduled my de-tethering yet. But, I also have other things that are not chiari related, so trying to find the reason is like finding that a needle in a haystack. Hanna --- Garn wrote: > But I have to ask the group now….. For those who > have been decompressed, with central sleep apnea – > has the sleep apnea gone away? ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 if the sleep study did something for you then great but when I went all they told me was if I lost 10 pounds that I would sleep better!!! what a crock! Hanna wrote: I had two kinds of apnea. I recall they called it obstructed (very few incidences) but that most of my waking problems they used some word that was basically unobstructed, I would have to find the documents to see if it said CSA or not. After decompression, I slept great, through the night and woke up rested, for about 2-3 years. However, I started waking up every few hours again. I have a new sleep study scheduled for next week and have not scheduled my de-tethering yet. But, I also have other things that are not chiari related, so trying to find the reason is like finding that a needle in a haystack. Hanna --- Garn wrote: > But I have to ask the group now….. For those who > have been decompressed, with central sleep apnea – > has the sleep apnea gone away? __________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 I was told a year ago that I had Severe sleep apnea. The doctor did two sleep studies and was just beside himself because he said he did not understand why I have it because I am not overweight, do not have my tonsils or adnoids, do not drink heavy and I am small in stature. Now I am thinking it was the Chiari the whole time. I had decompression surgery in Sept. of this year and have yet to use my CPAP. I hope it stays that way. But I do know from what the doctor said and what I have researched, that usually weight plays a big part in Obstructive Apnea. , In a message dated 12/27/2007 9:22:18 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, curr356@... writes: It may be upsetting but it is reality about the weight loss. For some weight loss (even a bit) can get rid of (obstructive)weight loss (e husband has it and it completely disappears when he gets to a certain weight. If he gains it's right back. It's the pits but true. I am too heavy, but after my decompression,I am too heavy, but my central apnea is completely gone. > > if the sleep study did something for you then great but when I went all they told me was if I lost 10 pounds that I would sleep better!!! what a crock! > > **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 It may be upsetting but it is reality about the weight loss. For some weight loss (even a bit) can get rid of (obstructive)apnea. My husband has it and it completely disappears when he gets to a certain weight. If he gains it's right back. It's the pits but true. I am too heavy, but after my decompression,de-tethering and fusion my central apnea is completely gone. > > if the sleep study did something for you then great but when I went all they told me was if I lost 10 pounds that I would sleep better!!! what a crock! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 When I had my sleep study I asked the neurologist at the sleep center why I would have developed central sleep apnea around the same time I became symptomatic from my chiari and began having seizures. He said he was not that surprised given how the three can play a role with each other. Though i have three distinct medical issues I know they are tied together in some way....I do wish however that there was one fix for all three of them!! kelly Bjtlbaughman@... wrote: > > I was told a year ago that I had Severe sleep apnea. The doctor did two > sleep studies and was just beside himself because he said he did not > understand > why I have it because I am not overweight, do not have my tonsils or > adnoids, > do not drink heavy and I am small in stature. Now I am thinking it was > the > Chiari the whole time. I had decompression surgery in Sept. of this > year and > have yet to use my CPAP. I hope it stays that way. But I do know from > what the > doctor said and what I have researched, that usually weight plays a > big part > in Obstructive Apnea. > , > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 I had a sleep study in september. It showed no apnea, and my restless legs were not an issue on the requip. It did show I woke up from sleep 116 times in 6 hours. So, off for an MRI, which showed a pituitary tumor, 3mm. That started a cascade of problems, which included a hospital stay when my pituitary finally stopped sending signals to my adrenals to produce coristol (what my doctors say). Now,my sleep has not gotten any better, probably gotten worse. I take a small medicine cabinet just to sleep at night and still feel like crap. So they scheduled another sleep study, a multiple latency sleep study, which is when you go in all day and they have you have naps for 20 minutes every 2 hours. I didn't do it, I figured, what's the purpose? I mean, I get charged 20% of these tests, which run around 3500-4000, and I get no answers. I think, even though my test didn't show sleep apnea, my husband tells me I snore, so it would be better use to do another one and try a c-pap and see if that helps me sleep better. What's napping during the day going to tell them? that's Im exhausted? that I fall asleep fast and have REM sleep? I can save them 3500.00 and tell them that right now! That's just my opinion and experience with my sleep study,in one way, it proved to be very useful because it found the pituitary tumor which helped shed some light on why I was feeling poorly and helped launch further investigation into my hormone studies, but as far as my actual sleep problems, they're still there and worse! Barb C. PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2007 Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 I understand that the daytime test, aka MSLT (multiple sleep latency test), is to rule out, or diagnose, narcolepsy. It also helps them determine how fast or slow you get to REM sleep in a nap, something they apparently can't find out in a nighttime sleep study. I know how you feel, about yet another test, and the expense. Perhaps also ask them for solid reasons for the test before you will take it. If they have a really good reason, maybe that will help you decide, if the reason is weak, then definitely forego it or put it off. Have you been decompressed? or de-tethered? For the first time in my life I slept great after my decompression, for about 3 years. Now the sleep problems are back and nightly. I even wake up with meds in my system ... aarrgghh. H --- cavanaugh3 wrote: > I had a sleep study in september. It showed no > apnea, and my > restless legs were not an issue on the requip. It > did show I woke up > from sleep 116 times in 6 hours. So, off for an > MRI, which showed a > pituitary tumor, 3mm. That started a cascade of > problems, which > included a hospital stay when my pituitary finally > stopped sending > signals to my adrenals to produce coristol (what my > doctors say). > > Now,my sleep has not gotten any better, probably > gotten worse. I > take a small medicine cabinet just to sleep at night > and still feel > like crap. So they scheduled another sleep study, a > multiple latency > sleep study, which is when you go in all day and > they have you have > naps for 20 minutes every 2 hours. > > I didn't do it, I figured, what's the purpose? I > mean, I get charged > 20% of these tests, which run around 3500-4000, and > I get no > answers. I think, even though my test didn't show > sleep apnea, my > husband tells me I snore, so it would be better use > to do another one > and try a c-pap and see if that helps me sleep > better. > > What's napping during the day going to tell them? > that's Im > exhausted? that I fall asleep fast and have REM > sleep? I can save > them 3500.00 and tell them that right now! > > That's just my opinion and experience with my sleep > study,in one way, > it proved to be very useful because it found the > pituitary tumor > which helped shed some light on why I was feeling > poorly and helped > launch further investigation into my hormone > studies, but as far as > my actual sleep problems, they're still there and > worse! > > Barb C. > PA > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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