Does non-sleep apnea exist

[mars]

Hi

Just posted my first post about an hour ago. However, since reading more posts, especially those of Stuart and the replies I have something that is very important to me to ask you all.

About 8 years ago my throat started closing during the day. I could not breathe, I pummelled my throat, massaged it, and tried to "wheeze" some air in and out. This was very frightening, and so far no medical person has been able to tell me what is happening, or what can prevent this.

I could wake up during the night not breathing, and when awake still not breathing. Forcing air in - very fractionally - and out wouod eventually get me back to normal breathing. 5 minute s later it was as though it had not happened. There is no warning when I am asleeo, but during the day I get a split second irritation in the throat, then if I immediatly take deep breaths I can sometimes avoid a closure.

I have no allergies (I was thoroughly tested).

This condition was what eventually led me to a sleep specialist, who told me I had sleep apnea but that the condition I came for - throat closing day or night - was not sleep apnea and he could not help.

One specialist diagnosed my problem as a Paradoxical Vocal Fold (chord) Movement.i.e. the throat closes when it should be open, and prescribed vocal "aahhs", which probably because of my poor memory I keep on forgetting to do.

I find that sipping water also helps my throat to open. I have found out nothing about this on the interenet. Many people talk about difficulty in breathing - this is not a difficulty - it is simply not breathing.
Doctors have assured me that eventually I will be come unconcious, that I will start breathing again, and therefore not to worry.

I have confidence the sleep apnea problem will be effectively deal with by the machine and the help from this forum, but it occurred to me there also may be some knowledge and wisdom about my throat closing which has not happened for a few weeks now. I have been using a machine for the last 3 weeks.

If anybody out there can help with this seeming unknown problem, please respond.

PS My previous post about just starting should also have said - need help.

[cflame1]

you may want to read posts by dllfo

[rested gal]

You might also want to get thoroughly checked out for GERD -- acid reflux disease. Acid bathing the vocal cords might cause them to spasm.

Many people who have had untreated OSA for years also have acid reflux whether they realized it or not. There's such a thing as "Silent GERD" -- a person has none of the usual symptoms of acid reflux, but does have it.

"All patients with sleep apnea should be evaluated for gastroesophageal reflux," said J. Barry O'Connor, M.D., of Duke University Medical Center, one of the investigators."

[kteague]

I remember when I first found this site there was discussion of when vocal cord dysfunction complicates sleep apnea. It was of interest to me because a friend's sleep apnea was precipitated by having had a vocal cord paralyzed when a nerve controlling the cord and her diaphragm was cut during a thyroidectomy. She has had symptoms similar to what you describe. I don't know answers, but will be following this thread to see what comes up. Thanks for posting the topic.
Kathy

[dsm]

Yes,

There is a syndrome called UARS (Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome) and people who do not have OSA can be identified as exhibiting UARS. The causes of UARS are many and GERD is one of the often quoted causes. So all the advice to get checked for GERD are offering very good advice.

Some researchers believe UARS turns into OSA in time. Also some researchers will say that people can have both OSA and UARS at the same time.

DSM

[mars]

You guys are hitting the nail on the head.

Since I started trying to find out why my throat closed, day or night, I discovered that I have Gastro Eesophegal Reflux Disease, Barretts Esophagus, and, of course, sleep apnea. I had no GERDS symptoms.

Medication I tried nearly killed me with violent stomach ache and constipation so nearly 2 years ago I had a fundoplication to fix my esophegal sphincter. I suspect it did not work. My throat continued to close.

I went on Somac, which did not disable me, and very possibly it helped. A few weeks ago I had a 24 hour Ph study to see if I still had reflux. I see my ENT guy on Tuesday to find out the results. I wanted to have a 24Ph test whilst on Somac, to see if the Somac was working, but so far have been refused that.

I was very angry at my Gastroenterologist for not ordering a PH test after the operation, which to me seems an obvious thing to do, especially as I have Barretts Esophagus.

I might add that over the years GERDS wrecked my teeth, but no Dentist ever mentioned GERDS.

The only other thing I might add, which is a little peculiar, which is why I did not mention it in the first place is -

About 15 years ago, for a period of a few years, if I went to sleep sitting up I would suddenly regain conciousness, not breathing, and unable to move, paralysed. I would try to shake myself in order to wake up, but could not. I tried to mentally shake myself, and that seemed to work better. After what appeared to be a long time I would suddently get full conciousness, and be breathing again - albeit - out of breath. Probably because of brain damage due to Sleep Apnea it took me a few years to stop napping in that position. This problem now seems to have gone away.

I will follow your leads, and thank you very much for your help, and if anyone has any more ideas, please let me know.

cheers

Mars

[Julie]

Sleep paralysis is a not-uncommon minor (if scary and annoying) neurological disorder, likely completely unrelated to apnea. The fact you had it while napping upright is a bit different, but unless there's more that you're not telling, I wouldn't either worry about it anymore or try to connect it to your OSA.

[mars]

Thanks everybody for your help.

I am exhausted at present, and sleeping or napping most of the last 2 days. Don't know why.

Except my lower back has gone on me, so there is pain.

Have decided what machine to get - a Sandman Auto - after a mindblowing search for information so I could make the right choice, as far as possible.

So now I will try to get back to normal for a few days, then I will follow up on your leads.
Your help has not gone unnappreciated , but with my back typing on a computer does not help.

thanks

Mars