Sleep Apnea - AN

[gregpstone]

I have a serious cognitive deficit that was concurrent with the growth of my tumor. It appeared to be connected to holding multiple items in short term memory which correlated with research showing that vestibular damage can lead to atrophy of the hippocampus.(brain's short term memory center)

However, when I finally found two doctors that took the problem seriously, they both thought it was connected to sleep apnea, which I have and can cause permanent cognitive damage.

My wife says that the onset of my loud snoring was roughly at the same time my AN was diagnosed. There could be a direct connection as some with AN have reported an effect on the throat area and I did have a period where I had some difficulty swallowing.

So, has anyone else experienced the onset of sleep apnea concurrent with tumor diagnosis or later growth?

[tcrnko]

Interesting concept.
I had surgery for the correction of sleep apnea 2001.  Tonsils, Soft pallet, Uvula removed, and nasoplasty.  Some relief from the sleep apnea for a while.  Snoring continues, but not as bad. 
All of this was more related to long term problems with sinus.
And as now identified, 5 years before diagnosis of AN.  But, these are slow growing, so it has probably been here in my head for a while.....

[Windsong]

My sleep apnea has been diagnosed almost one year post fsr. I did have some swallowing difficulties after fsr and more recently again. I can't remember ever waking up gasping for air, or feeling as if choking before this last year.  My sleep study indicates oxygen deprivation. I stop breathing a number of times during sleep. Interestingly I did not have sinus problems worth noticing until The An was really growing, and now seem to have plenty of clogged up symptoms (mostly one sided An side) again this last year.

My sleep has deteriorated a lot more recently.

The bit about the hippocampus was interesting. Cognitive problems? I have plenty of those now.

Thanks for your post.

[ppearl214]

Greg,

Fantastic post!  In doing research on my Chiari 1 Malformation last night, I also discovered that Sleep Apnea is a major issue as well for those with  CM1.  I'll follow this thread to see what everyone chimes in with (as well as those that have already posted) as I need to learn more about this as well.

Hang in there.
Phyl

[Raydean]

Hi Mrs Cheeky Bloke

In regards to the Chiari Type One Amy also has Sleep Apnea (confirm thru a sleep study) and has been sleeping with her machine, which isn't working out to well for her.  She's tends to rip the masks off in her sleep.  (In general she's tends to be claustrophobic)

Please keep me updated as what you find out in regards to the Chiari and Sleep Apnea.

Hugs
Raydean

[ppearl214]

Hi Mrs Cheeky Bloke

In regards to the Chiari Type One Amy also has Sleep Apnea (confirm thru a sleep study) and has been sleeping with her machine, which isn't working out to well for her.  She's tends to rip the masks off in her sleep.  (In general she's tends to be claustrophobic)

Please keep me updated as what you find out in regards to the Chiari and Sleep Apnea.

Hugs
Raydean

Thanks SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much Raydean!!!!!!!!  I have an email in to my gang in Boston... turns out that after all of my research, my brain team at Brigham/Womans IS the Chiari team noted on the chiari websites I have researched.  Waiting to hear back now.. and will research the sleep apnea.... have a feeling I'll have to do the sleep study as well. If it's true about those here that have noted it and now, to have the Chiari complication... well, at least I know now why I snore louder than Beanie.... but, I do know it needs attention.

Pls give hugs to my Chiari sista in crime... and keep some for you and Chet and the rest of the gang! 

Mrs. Cheeky Bloke

[mylump]

Another interesting thread! Will follow this one for sue. Might exp[lain why I've been sleeping badly for the past 6 months. Hemmmmmm  Must check with my docs when I see them in January.
Lorenzo

[Sheryl]

She's tends to rip the masks off in her sleep.  (In general she's tends to be claustrophobic)

Raydean - please make sure the sleep specialist doctor knows about the problem.  I've been doing transcription for five years for a sleep disorder M.D. and there are MANY masks out there that may work better.  It usually takes a long time to get used to the equipment and the office/doctor should be helpful as long as they know there are problems.  If she is on a CPAP machine and not tolerating the pressure or the machine, she may need BiPAP. 
Sheryl

[Battyp]

Interesting..I just had the psychiatrist tell me there is a connection with sleep apnea and the brain problems I'm having.  Asked me if my siblings snored as it puts them at a greater risk for other health problems due to my condition.  I plan on asking him more questions when I go back for my follow up.

Oh and I DON"T SNORE  lol  ok so that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Actually I didn't before surgery but my son tells me he's caught me snorning since.

[nancyann]

Hi guys,

Don't THINK I have sleep apnea, but do have sinus problems, worse now since my right sinus has collapsed some from the facial paralysis.

For what it's worth a friend told me to try the Breathe Right strips, & boy do they help !!!!!    I was always a mouth breather (lots of allergies, etc), but since using these
'attractive' strips for sleep, I can breathe thru my nose !!!!  Wish I could wear them to work !    I use the small/medium clear ones, even though my nose is a bit large (you should have seen it BEFORE the nose job !!  lol
Anyway, I recommend the strips to all, & to all, a good night's sleep !     Nancy

[Battyp]

I have a niece that uses those.  She'd wake up with them in her hair.  They did help her and my brother who snores the roof off! 

[nancyann]

Hi Batty,  Yeah, that happened to me once with the hair, pretty funny.   I squeeze my nose now once it's on so it's good & tight.

[Jim Scott]

I believe I've had a form of sleep apena for many years.  My wife says that while sleeping, I seem to hold my breath for long periods, finally letting it out slowly.  She used to be worried by it but has grown used to it after many years.  For my part, I'm totally unarare of it.  I fall asleep quickly and generally sleep very soundly, waking refreshed.  I'm at a normal weight and have no noticable facial problems that would cause any breathing obstructions. 

I only posted to comment that just before my surgery, as I was becoming lethargic due to the tumor pressing on my brainstem, my wife says that my irregular sleep-breathing ceased - only to return shortly after I was home from hospital.  Go figure.


Jim[/color]

[Sheryl]

Jim - gaps in breathing or gasping for air events while sleeping should be checked out by a sleep specialist.  In the long term, there could be serious consequences to your overall health including, but not limited to, hypertension and cardiac problems.  Sleep apnea presents in many people who are not necessarily overweight or have anatomical (tonsils, adenoids, palate, uvula, tongue) deformities.

[Jim Scott]

Sheryl:

I had numerous medical tests both pre and post surgery, as all AN surgical patients do, including multiple MRI and CAT scans.  Very informative.

I found out that my BP is around 135/75 and my resting pulse is in the high 60's - low 70's.  I was repeatedly tested for diabetes and showed no signs of it. My EKG was - according to my physician: "perfectly normal".  I sleep well (about 7 hours per night) and awake refreshed.  During 4 days & nights in the ICU following my surgery, no one - nurses or doctors - remarked on my sleep breathing...and I slept a lot.  I was also monitored for BP, pulse and heart functions.  No problem.

I'm obviously healthy and see no reason to pursue the cause of this sleep anomaly as it is not affecting my health and doesn't even wake me up.  I do not 'gasp for breath'.  I simply 'hold' my breath and then, let it out, v-e-r-y  s-l-o-o-o-w-l-y-.   Call me stubborn, but if and when it begins to demonstrate a deleterious effect on my sleep - or my overall health, I'll certainly investigate it.  Right now, I have enough medical bills to deal with without seeking reasons to generate more when I'm otherwise healthy.   


Jim