Guest guest Posted December 13, 2000 Report Share Posted December 13, 2000 Dawn, Celeste may or may not have sleep apnea, but I'd bet $50 (and that's a lot for me!) that she has a REM behavior disorder. In " normal " people, there is a chemical " switch " in the brain that turns off motor activity when you're in REM (dream) sleep. For people with REM behavior disorder (which is common in MSA) the " switch " is defective, so MSA'ers tend to act out their dreams. (ie " She wakes up swinging. " ) For my husband, who also has sleep apnea, the REM behavior disorder was the very first manifestation of his illness, and preceeded other symptoms by at leasts 5 years. He takes klonopin (a/k/a clonazapam) to control the REM behavior disorder. For him, this was a big problem. Actually, it was more a problem for me! He once tried to strangle me, and once walked down the stairs and out the front door - sound asleep. He thrashed around so much that he fell out of bed several times - no broken bones, but some nasty bumps and bruises. I still recommend that Celeste get a sleep study done by someone specializing in sleep disorders who can properly diagnose and treat this. Rob was working 60 hour weeks when he started with this problem. He was ALWAYS tired, but he kept going, and did not sleep during the day. It'a amazing what the human body can adapt to. Good luck! Carol & Rob > Thanks to everybody who gave advice to me for my sister Celeste concerning constipation. As it turns out we went to the drug store and got some Colace and for now it seems to be really helping. > > When we discussed the sleeping problems with the neuro he didn't seen too concerned. Although he did try to encourage us to go back to the Mayo Clinic. The Neuro is a very good doctor and we like him LOADS. However, he says his Neuro group does not have vast experience treating people with MSA. We told him about this web site and he was glad to know of it. When we mentioned the possiblity of sleep apnea he said he thought if that was a real problem Celeste would be having trouble staying awake during the days. She only sleeps a few hours at a time but claims she feels fairly rested when she rises at 4:00 AM most mornings. She uses the Restoril and it helps some. She claims she wakes up kind of having dreams that someone is in the room or breaking into the house. She says she wakes up swinging. Could this just be because she is not sleeping soundly? Some of you recommended a sleep specialist. Do you still think she could have sleep apnea since she is sleeping so little even though not sleepy during the day. We live in Indiana and really don't want to have to travel to Minnesota. Any thoughts out there in cyberspace? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2000 Report Share Posted December 13, 2000 Dawn, You will probably be able to cut back after she gets somewhat regular. I would aim for a good BM every other day. Take care, Bill and Charlotte ------------------------------------------------- "Dawn E. Morley" wrote: Thanks to everybody who gave advice to me for my sister Celeste concerning constipation. As it turns out we went to the drug store and got some Colace and for now it seems to be really helping. When we discussed the sleeping problems with the neuro he didn't seen too concerned. Although he did try to encourage us to go back to the Mayo Clinic. The Neuro is a very good doctor and we like him LOADS. However, he says his Neuro group does not have vast experience treating people with MSA. We told him about this web site and he was glad to know of it. When we mentioned the possiblity of sleep apnea he said he thought if that was a real problem Celeste would be having trouble staying awake during the days. She only sleeps a few hours at a time but claims she feels fairly rested when she rises at 4:00 AM most mornings. She uses the Restoril and it helps some. She claims she wakes up kind of having dreams that someone is in the room or breaking into the house. She says she wakes up swinging. Could this just be because she is not sleeping soundly? Some of you recommended a sleep specialist. Do you still think she could have sleep apnea since she is sleeping so little even though not sleepy during the day. We live in Indiana and really don't want to have to travel to Minnesota. Any thoughts out there in cyberspace? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2000 Report Share Posted December 13, 2000 There is a sleep specialist and sleep study center in our small home town. Sleep problems are very common, but can also be very serious. Much of what you describe or some symptoms similar to what my husband experienced. Pick up the yellow pages and find a center. Many towns have referral phone lines where someone answers phones to make DR. referrals. Call Mayo for a referral. I would say a(my personal opinion) that the only way that you will know is if she has a sleep study done. It is amazing what they can tell you. Marilyn in TN ---------- To: <shydrageregroups> Subject: Thanks lots Date: Wed, Dec 13, 2000, 10:37 PM Thanks to everybody who gave advice to me for my sister Celeste concerning constipation. As it turns out we went to the drug store and got some Colace and for now it seems to be really helping. When we discussed the sleeping problems with the neuro he didn't seen too concerned. Although he did try to encourage us to go back to the Mayo Clinic. The Neuro is a very good doctor and we like him LOADS. However, he says his Neuro group does not have vast experience treating people with MSA. We told him about this web site and he was glad to know of it. When we mentioned the possiblity of sleep apnea he said he thought if that was a real problem Celeste would be having trouble staying awake during the days. She only sleeps a few hours at a time but claims she feels fairly rested when she rises at 4:00 AM most mornings. She uses the Restoril and it helps some. She claims she wakes up kind of having dreams that someone is in the room or breaking into the house. She says she wakes up swinging. Could this just be because she is not sleeping soundly? Some of you recommended a sleep specialist. Do you still think she could have sleep apnea since she is sleeping so little even though not sleepy during the day. We live in Indiana and really don't want to have to travel to Minnesota. Any thoughts out there in cyberspace? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.