I got some answers today, kteague please take a look

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Teresalf
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I got some answers today, kteague please take a look

Post by Teresalf » Sat Jul 25, 2015 8:32 pm

When I did my first sleep study a while back along with the diagnosis of severe sleep apnea they told me I had PLMD. Well I've been miserable with how my legs felt and being really short of breath with severe fatique. I had really horrible feelings in my legs during the day and jerked my legs all night long. And I really thought my lungs were done for because I couldn't walk any distance at all without getting out of breath and taking about 20 minutes to recover. I finally had a blood test done and the doctor told me I have really low ferritin levels and iron deficiency anemia.He prescribed ferrous sulfate 325mg 2x a day. I'm really glad to be diagnosed finally and I hope I'll be feeling better in the days to come. Just wanted to pass this along in case anyone else is dealing with these problems and get your input if you've been through it.

Also does having this issue make sleep apnea any worse? It seems like it would since my red blood cells that carry oxygen are low.

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Last edited by Teresalf on Sat Jul 25, 2015 8:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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kaiasgram
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Re: I got some answers today

Post by kaiasgram » Sat Jul 25, 2015 8:45 pm

Forum member kteague knows quite a bit about this -- you could PM her or put her name or "PLMD" in your subject heading so it'll catch her attention.

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Teresalf
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Re: I got some answers today

Post by Teresalf » Sat Jul 25, 2015 8:56 pm

Thanks, will do.

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kteague
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Re: I got some answers today, kteague please take a look

Post by kteague » Sun Jul 26, 2015 12:52 am

Hi. Not real knowledgeable about the red blood cell thing, but from what I understand the blood cell issues caused by sleep apnea resolve with CPAP treatment. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.) Anemia or deficiencies unrelated to sleep apnea need addressed separately. The stories I read on treating anemia are a mixed bag when it comes to degree of success in helping PLMD. Hope that between having properly oxygenated blood along with resolving your anemia your movements will improve in a major way. Interesting thought about the red blood cell issues of sleep apnea having an impact on limb movements. Sounds logical. Could explain why CPAP treatment does help some people with PLMD. So much we don't know about this stuff.

Are you on any meds for your legs, particularly a dopamine agonist? Current thinking is that persons with low storage iron are more prone to augmentation on a dopamine agonist. If you are not on an agonist, I'd suggest waiting till your blood issues level off and your ferritin level is near 100 if it becomes a consideration. Sounds like you are doing all the right things to turn your situation around. Did they check your Magnesium? I have in recent times began taking a B Complex supplement as well as a Magnesium combo. Optimizing your CPAP treatment is a really big deal, even if just one piece of the puzzle. I can't tell you how much difference it made in how I felt, even though my sleep was still miserable due to my legs. But it gave me the strength to deal with the other stuff.

Interesting about your shortness of breath. Does your doctor think it is due to the anemia? I had similar symptoms, but mine turned out to be a lung issue needing treatment. Keep an eye on it and if you don't see an improvement in the near future, ask for further testing. Good luck going forward.

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MagsterMile
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Re: I got some answers today, kteague please take a look

Post by MagsterMile » Sun Jul 26, 2015 7:02 am

This might be helpful. I too had some 'severe' leg movements during sleep study. Dr ordered MRI - definite chemical imbalance. Leg movements definitely not as bad a KTeague had. To make a long story short, went to donate blood and was rejected twice. Went to Dr., had tests - low ferritin and iron deficiency. Took monthly B shots for six months. Retested again. Ferritin and iron defic. much improved. Taking a 325 iron supplement daily. Able to donate blood regularly, iron count excellent @ 14.0 (the tech tests blood) and I've had a noticeable drop in leg movements. Take daily: magnesium, iron and B Complex in addition to Vit D3 and calcium. It seems that that regimen has really helped.

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kteague
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Re: I got some answers today, kteague please take a look

Post by kteague » Sun Jul 26, 2015 7:49 am

Hey MagsterMile, good to hear of someone else with a degree of success managing their their movements. I have a similar regimen to yours. Once I got over the augmentation on the dopamine agonist, my movements were much less severe. The wild flailing in my video was due to augmentation. After nearly 5 years using a TENS unit, just in recent weeks I've been able to sleep a lot of nights without using the TENS Unit. I can kinda tell before bedtime if I'm going to need to use it, but have needed it only a couple times in the past couple weeks. All I can figure is the supplements must have my body at a healthier place. Glad things are going well with you.

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MagsterMile
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Re: I got some answers today, kteague please take a look

Post by MagsterMile » Tue Jul 28, 2015 7:23 am

KTeague: glad to hear things are better for you. I know it's strange but I too get a feeling if my legs are going to be acting up. I'll be watching TV or on the PC and feel like I just have to stretch my legs, stretch them some more and stretch again! Tried to find something on Google that talks about this issue but so far nothing. Overall, my sleep has greatly improved for the last year or so and I must thank the supplements for helping me. If my legs are reacting at night, I'm not sensing it especially since I've been able to fall asleep very quickly. Just like the old days when I was young.

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Chevie
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Re: I got some answers today, kteague please take a look

Post by Chevie » Tue Jul 28, 2015 7:29 am

kteague wrote:from what I understand the blood cell issues caused by sleep apnea resolve with CPAP treatment. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.)
Not according to my sleep doctor. He says some people just have trouble absorbing iron and the problem worsens with age. He told me to expect to be taking an iron supplement the rest of my life.

The absorption problem is not in the digestive system, but is a failure of the bone marrow.

BTW, the recommendation is to take 500 mg vitamin C along with the iron supplement tablet. The iron (ferrous sulfate) is more easily absorbed when the stomach is acidic.

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Sheffey
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Re: I got some answers today, kteague please take a look

Post by Sheffey » Tue Jul 28, 2015 7:35 am

Teresalf wrote:Also does having this issue make sleep apnea any worse? It seems like it would since my red blood cells that carry oxygen are low.
If you mean does sleep apnea, which causes oxygen desaturations, also cause anemia or low iron levels, I don't think so. The desats are intermittent at night and your body has more than 16 hours per day to recover these levels.
Chevie wrote:Not according to my sleep doctor. He says some people just have trouble absorbing iron and the problem worsens with age. He told me to expect to be taking an iron supplement the rest of my life.

The absorption problem is not in the digestive system, but is a failure of the bone marrow.

BTW, the recommendation is to take 500 mg vitamin C along with the iron supplement tablet. The iron (ferrous sulfate) is more easily absorbed when the stomach is acidic.
This is consistent with what my doctor says and what you find at the RLS website, rls.org.
Sheffey

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ChicagoGranny
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Re: I got some answers today, kteague please take a look

Post by ChicagoGranny » Tue Jul 28, 2015 7:40 am

Also does having this issue make sleep apnea any worse? It seems like it would since my red blood cells that carry oxygen are low.
Gramps was told by his sleep doctor, that his PLMD might resolve with the start of CPAP therapy. His did not, but apparently some people's does.

Hopefully, the combination of CPAP and iron supplements will help your PLMD issue.

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TexasTom
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Re: I got some answers today, kteague please take a look

Post by TexasTom » Tue Jul 28, 2015 9:29 am

Just a shout out to BLOOD DONORS! Thank you!!!

10 years ago, my wife had a ruptured colon. 3 months ICU, lots of surgeries, and a NINE PINTS of WHOLE BLOOD! So to nine anonymous donor's, you saved her life and I am grateful. Irony is I hadn't donated at that time as the question "have you lived in Europe more than two years " came up. Well that was changed to "more than five years"... Bingo I was in Germany for four years 10 months.... so eligible! So I started donating once again.... I made it to 4gallons and 7 pints and now have "noted mass in lung" so I'm deferred once again..... :Sad:

Yep, I was at 120 PLMD per hour (a tad bit high) during my sleep study, but my Parkinson's medications are helping. Dystonia is also a factor for me. Thankfully both rare, but the CPAP helps keep the SatO2 up at night.

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ChicagoGranny
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Re: I got some answers today, kteague please take a look

Post by ChicagoGranny » Tue Jul 28, 2015 10:56 am

TexasTom wrote:Yep, I was at 120 PLMD per hour (a tad bit high) during my sleep study, but my Parkinson's medications are helping.
What are you taking?