Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
I haven't slept well for years. I have maybe two or three "awake" days a month. Usually I wake up exhausted, drag myself through each day and do it all over again the next day. Not just tired. This is the debilitating, zombie-like, too tired to read or watch TV kind of tired so many of you on here mentioned.
Since the fall, I've been having strange heart issues (palpitations, two bouts of a-fib, skipped beats, etc). Cardiologist thinks a sleep disorder is causing the heart issues. Pulmonary doc thinks maybe a heart issue is causing the sleep disturbances. *sigh*
Initial sleep test showed no or little evidence of apnea, but "respiratory disturbances" where my heart skips a beat and adrenaline is shot through my body (his words) over and over again. Also "some" signs of REM disorder I only learned about after I asked for a copy of my sleep study. Anyhoo, I was prescribed a CPAP with both docs saying, "Let's see if this helps you or not." Pulmonary doc has been a ghost since my office visit. And no appointments available until mid-May (and I did schedule a follow up).
Primary care doc agreed to prescribe clonopin (yeah I know it's addictive poison) to see if it helps REM disorder. I just picked it up today.
I read several posts and everyone is talking about AHI, etc. and I guess I'm looking for a frame of reference to help guide me through my own recovery). My AHI is already low. I don't know how to gauge everything else I'm supposed to be recovering from. I almost wish I "just" had severe apnea.
I'm not seeing any search feature and was actually hoping to find at least one other person like myself who's on CPAP for respiratory or heart issues and not necessarily sleep apnea (and from even Googling it seems we're very much a small minority).
Even if there's an additional forum (CPAP users with heart issues) anyone is aware of, let me know.
Thanks
Since the fall, I've been having strange heart issues (palpitations, two bouts of a-fib, skipped beats, etc). Cardiologist thinks a sleep disorder is causing the heart issues. Pulmonary doc thinks maybe a heart issue is causing the sleep disturbances. *sigh*
Initial sleep test showed no or little evidence of apnea, but "respiratory disturbances" where my heart skips a beat and adrenaline is shot through my body (his words) over and over again. Also "some" signs of REM disorder I only learned about after I asked for a copy of my sleep study. Anyhoo, I was prescribed a CPAP with both docs saying, "Let's see if this helps you or not." Pulmonary doc has been a ghost since my office visit. And no appointments available until mid-May (and I did schedule a follow up).
Primary care doc agreed to prescribe clonopin (yeah I know it's addictive poison) to see if it helps REM disorder. I just picked it up today.
I read several posts and everyone is talking about AHI, etc. and I guess I'm looking for a frame of reference to help guide me through my own recovery). My AHI is already low. I don't know how to gauge everything else I'm supposed to be recovering from. I almost wish I "just" had severe apnea.
I'm not seeing any search feature and was actually hoping to find at least one other person like myself who's on CPAP for respiratory or heart issues and not necessarily sleep apnea (and from even Googling it seems we're very much a small minority).
Even if there's an additional forum (CPAP users with heart issues) anyone is aware of, let me know.
Thanks
_________________
Machine: AirSense™ 10 Elite CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Being treated for respiratory issues/sleep disturbances/arrhythmia & signs (?) of REM disorder. Mild-to-non-existent apnea. 6cm |
Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
Is there anything about Upper Airway Resistance or RERAs (respiratory related arousals) in your sleep study report? Can you post a copy of the report here?
_________________
Machine: AirSense 10 AutoSet with Heated Humidifer + Aifit N30i Nasal Mask Bundle |
Mask: Aloha Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: SleepyHead-now-OSCAR software on Mac OSX Ventura |
Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
If your AHI is below 5, move on to another diagnosis. And believe me, you don't want to have to wear this contraption for the rest of your life. It's a curse for me. If you need it, it'll save your life possibly but don't wish for apnea, it's no picnic wearing this crap every night.
System One RemStar Pro with C-Flex+ (460P)
Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
No problem to wear it for me!
_________________
Mask: TAP PAP Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Improved Stability Mouthpiece |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: APAP 7,8 - 20 EPR 3 No Ramp ResScan 5.1 SleepyHead 0.9.8.1 |
Everything I write I translate through Google Translate.
Hope you have patience with that, sometimes it can get a little crazy.
/Lazer1234
Hope you have patience with that, sometimes it can get a little crazy.
/Lazer1234
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Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
While you are trying to figure things out...
Enjoy a spinach salad with dinner each night for a few days and see if that helps. Spinach is an excellent source of magnesium. Heart flip flops are often caused by an imbalance of magnesium in the body.
I agree that if your airway is staying open you may not need xPAP at all. The main purpose of xPAP is to stint your airway open so you can keep breathing while you sleep.
Enjoy a spinach salad with dinner each night for a few days and see if that helps. Spinach is an excellent source of magnesium. Heart flip flops are often caused by an imbalance of magnesium in the body.
I agree that if your airway is staying open you may not need xPAP at all. The main purpose of xPAP is to stint your airway open so you can keep breathing while you sleep.
_________________
Mask: Brevida™ Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Machine is an AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her with Heated Humidifier. |
SpO2 96+% and holding...
Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
it's up there by the logo.Tracy1968 wrote:I'm not seeing any search feature
also, on google, you can put site:cpaptalk.com in the search bar, along with whatever you're searching for, and google will only show matches from here.
Get OSCAR
Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
?? I have a cardiologist and a pulmanologist who don't know each other (two different health systems) recommending trying CPAP first. Move on to another diagnosis like what? I don't mind wearing the mask or using the machine. In fact, last night I sleep "too much" with it.Too tall wrote:If your AHI is below 5, move on to another diagnosis.
First sleep study summary:kaiasgram wrote:Is there anything about Upper Airway Resistance or RERAs (respiratory related arousals) in your sleep study report? Can you post a copy of the report here?
RDI of 5.6 / AHI 1.1 / Stage II Sleep Over-represented / Only 13% of total sleep time spent in REM sleep. Technologist noted patient demonstrated irregular rhythm with occasional elevated heart rate. / No significant O2 desaturation / Snoring noted. / Hypopneas noted / Patient demonstrates EMG activity while in REM sleep consistent with REM behavior disorder.
When they brought me back for the titration study ...
No RERA events identified / Leg movements noted / Respiratory disturbance index of 0. / At 6cm of CPAP, patient's previously documented apnea-hypopnea syndrome resolves. CPAP recommended at 6cm.
And NO mention of REM disorder or treatment when I met the sleep doc / pulmanologist between tests.
_________________
Machine: AirSense™ 10 Elite CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Being treated for respiratory issues/sleep disturbances/arrhythmia & signs (?) of REM disorder. Mild-to-non-existent apnea. 6cm |
Last edited by Tracy1968 on Mon Mar 23, 2015 11:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
This is where I would start.HoseCrusher wrote:While you are trying to figure things out...
Heart flip flops are often caused by an imbalance of magnesium in the body.
_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
DERP. Great I'm sleep deprived AND blind. Not sure why that blended in with the logo for me. Thanks -- oh and thank you for the Google tip. I WILL use it!palerider wrote:it's up there by the logo.Tracy1968 wrote:I'm not seeing any search feature
also, on google, you can put site:cpaptalk.com in the search bar, along with whatever you're searching for, and google will only show matches from here.
_________________
Machine: AirSense™ 10 Elite CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Being treated for respiratory issues/sleep disturbances/arrhythmia & signs (?) of REM disorder. Mild-to-non-existent apnea. 6cm |
Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
I'll try the magnesium. I love Spinach but don't eat it often enough.
I'll try that.
I've been on CPAP about a week and the first mask leaked like crazy.
This mask fits and I wore it for the first time last night and slept like a rock - for 11 hours. I never sleep that well. And it makes no sense that I would feel better with the equivalent of a gravy boat strapped to my face. I woke up a little groggy/sleep drunk though.
I'll try that.
I've been on CPAP about a week and the first mask leaked like crazy.
This mask fits and I wore it for the first time last night and slept like a rock - for 11 hours. I never sleep that well. And it makes no sense that I would feel better with the equivalent of a gravy boat strapped to my face. I woke up a little groggy/sleep drunk though.
_________________
Machine: AirSense™ 10 Elite CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Being treated for respiratory issues/sleep disturbances/arrhythmia & signs (?) of REM disorder. Mild-to-non-existent apnea. 6cm |
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Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
Tracy,
I have congestive heart failure and sleep apnea. After starting bipap, my heart palpitations went almost to zero from similar to what you describe.
Tom
I have congestive heart failure and sleep apnea. After starting bipap, my heart palpitations went almost to zero from similar to what you describe.
Tom
_________________
Mask: TAP PAP Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Improved Stability Mouthpiece |
Additional Comments: CMS-50F Pulse Oximeter, O2 when sleeping, SleepyHead, Sleep Master |
Author of Sleep Master wireless xpap data transfer program.
Machine: PRS1 760P
Machine: PRS1 760P
Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
and SEE?? I didn't even need the 2x4! *hides board behind back*Tracy1968 wrote:DERP. Great I'm sleep deprived AND blind. Not sure why that blended in with the logo for me. Thanks -- oh and thank you for the Google tip. I WILL use it!palerider wrote:it's up there by the logo.Tracy1968 wrote:I'm not seeing any search feature
also, on google, you can put site:cpaptalk.com in the search bar, along with whatever you're searching for, and google will only show matches from here.
Get OSCAR
Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
Many doctors and patients have had to fight with insurance to cover CPAP therapy for sleep-disordered breathing when apneas and hypopneas are not present or not present in sufficient quantity to qualify for treatment coverage. It looks like the basis for recommending CPAP in your case was your RDI. In terms of frequency of respiratory events you were in the "mild" category, but we know that "mild" doesn't always correlate with mild symptoms. So it makes sense that your doctors recommended CPAP to see if could provide you with better sleep and hopefully an improvement in the cardiac symptoms.Tracy1968 wrote: First sleep study summary:
RDI of 5.6 / AHI 1.1 / Stage II Sleep Over-represented / Only 13% of total sleep time spent in REM sleep. Technologist noted patient demonstrated irregular rhythm with occasional elevated heart rate. / No significant O2 desaturation / Snoring noted. / Hypopneas noted / Patient demonstrates EMG activity while in REM sleep consistent with REM behavior disorder.
When they brought me back for the titration study ...
No RERA events identified / Leg movements noted / Respiratory disturbance index of 0. / At 6cm of CPAP, patient's previously documented apnea-hypopnea syndrome resolves. CPAP recommended at 6cm.
And NO mention of REM disorder or treatment when I met the sleep doc / pulmanologist between tests.
FWIW, Klonopin is pretty standard medication for REM sleep disorder. I don't know if there's a relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and REM disorder but I'm curious now.
_________________
Machine: AirSense 10 AutoSet with Heated Humidifer + Aifit N30i Nasal Mask Bundle |
Mask: Aloha Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: SleepyHead-now-OSCAR software on Mac OSX Ventura |
Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
I agree with you Too Tall!
_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Re: Anyone using CPAP for non-Apnea or heart issues?
Apnea can led to atrial fibrillation and does in many people. It should also (hopefully) get better - not necessarily disappear forever - as time goes on when using Cpap. Magnesium's a good thing to take, not just for a fib either. And maybe Too Tall's just never been able to get comfortable with Cpap, but loads of us like using it and can't remember now what it's like to sleep without it.
However - I don't know anyone who's using Cpap, prescribed or not, specifically for non-apnea issues (and of course they would have had to have had it prescribed, or else be using a 2nd hand machine based on their own speculative diagnosis - altogether a bad idea), though it IS used in emergency situations by EMT's, etc. on occasion (short term) to help hold airways open if needed.
And regarding your having slept 11 hrs with Cpap - I'd bet your settings were too low, maybe 4+20 - default low/high - which is way too commonly done by DME's at doctor's 'orders', rather than the doctor using ones recommended by sleep study. No rational explanation for it but ignorance or laziness! It does sound like your machine did not address any (or many) events you had.
However - I don't know anyone who's using Cpap, prescribed or not, specifically for non-apnea issues (and of course they would have had to have had it prescribed, or else be using a 2nd hand machine based on their own speculative diagnosis - altogether a bad idea), though it IS used in emergency situations by EMT's, etc. on occasion (short term) to help hold airways open if needed.
And regarding your having slept 11 hrs with Cpap - I'd bet your settings were too low, maybe 4+20 - default low/high - which is way too commonly done by DME's at doctor's 'orders', rather than the doctor using ones recommended by sleep study. No rational explanation for it but ignorance or laziness! It does sound like your machine did not address any (or many) events you had.
_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier |