New User - strange results

[Optimist50]

I have probably had sleep apnea for years. A am a type A personality, high stress job with high blood pressure. In this past year I was waking every two hours with the need to go to the bathroom. I didn't experience daytime sleepiness but I did drop to sleep the minute my head hit the pillow. I was finally home tested with an AHI of 29 and lowest saturation of 81. Took some time to get supplies from Apria, that is another story. All I can say is I now know why they have a 1 star rating.

I want to admit I am a horrible patient probably because I am an RN. Now be prepared I am also an open book and hope my story is not TMI. My belief was that my mother and grandmother went through menopause young and high blood pressure came with it. I have some extra weight but not significant. I would wake with what I thought were night sweats from peri-menopause over 10 years ago. Currently I am 53 and haven't had a period for 3 years and very sporadic before that. I take no meds other than a low dose BP pill.

I started CPAP a month ago today. The first night I wore my nasal mask all night and never once got up to use the bathroom. I felt so rested. But the strangest thing happened last week. My breasts got sore and then a few days later I had a full on period. I read up on the changes in Estrogen caused by sleep apnea and I really believe that my early menopause was caused by apnea. I believe the same could have been true for my mother and grandmother.

Needless to say I will be a lifelong CPAP user and I will encourage others to be tested. When I think of the strain I have placed on my heart it makes me sick. Has anyone out there resumed menstration by treating apnea? Anxious to see what other changes might come about after months of use. AHI currently down to <2.

[Sheriff Buford]

After reading your thread, I am not surprised. Sleep apnea causes a lot of health issues. Some that can eventually kill you. A lot of my health issues were resolved when I started cpap therapy. My mom had a stroke in her early 50's, and I KNOW she had sleep apnea. I have been blessed by avoiding strokes and I am certain it is a result of treating this ugly disease. As you continue therapy, I'll bet you'll notice many more improvements in your health. It's the subtle improvements I am gratefull for, and probably issues we'll never see.

Happy Papin'

Sheriff

[Pugsy]

People in the medical profession do seem to make terrible patients don't they?
No patience and they know just enough to get them in trouble sometimes.

As far as your rather unusual results...I have a theory based on what happened to myself but I will share that with your privately.
It's just a theory and it's TMI for public...at least I don't want it to be public.
So I will send you a private message later once I get enough morning coffee in me to wake up good. So look for a PM later.
Not going to do it right this minute.

Welcome to the forum.

[MoodyMolly]

I have had a sort of hormone related change after starting pap therapy. I'm trying to decide if it's tmi too tell it here, but let's just say that a part of me that never worked very well has started working like it never had before.

[MoodyMolly]

People in the medical profession do seem to make terrible patients don't they?
No patience and they know just enough to get them in trouble sometimes.

As far as your rather unusual results...I have a theory based on what happened to myself but I will share that with your privately.
It's just a theory and it's TMI for public...at least I don't want it to be public.
So I will send you a private message later once I get enough morning coffee in me to wake up good. So look for a PM later.
Not going to do it right this minute.

Welcome to the forum.

I am also interested in hearing your theory, as like I said, I have noticed some hormonal changes that no one really talks about for women.

[Pugsy]

I am also interested in hearing your theory,

Sent you a PM.

[Goofproof]

I can see how your body thinking it's dying many times a night over time would convince your brain it might not be correct timing to start a family, so a shut down of the baby maker would be a good idea. Seeing the extra load parenthood puts on your body.

In time as you keep the treatment working, many unseen problems may also be elimated. Congrats for your success, BTW: I have two RN daughters. Jim

[ChicagoGranny]

My breasts got sore and then a few days later I had a full on period.

This study, https://link.springer.com/article/10.10 ... 010-0373-0 , found CPAP therapy is associated with a significant decrease in serum prolactin levels. (Elevated levels of prolactin decrease the levels of sex hormones.) Given what you reported, it's likely that, with CPAP commencement, your prolactin levels decreased allowing your sex hormones to revert toward the normal mean.

You may also be interested in this study - http://www.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1 ... .84.3.1055 .
I take from it that your airway may become less collapsible with CPAP commencement. This would not mean you no longer need CPAP. But, it could mean that your CPAP therapy is more effective and your average CPAP pressure needs are less. At least until more advanced age causes a natural, steep decline in sex hormones.

So glad to see you have commenced treatment and on a good path!

[Optimist50]

Chicago granny,

Thanks so much for sharing those studies, fascinating. I was only able to have one child. It seemed like I stopped ovulating around 30. I truly had no idea what sleep apnea could do to you nor did I have any idea I had it.

I am going to do my best to help educate others.

Thanks again

[ChicagoGranny]

I am going to do my best to help educate others.

Yeah, some of us become like ex-smokers when we discover the benefits of CPAP. Instead of telling everyone to quit smoking, we run around telling everyone they have symptoms of sleep apnea and should get a CPAP.

(I've pushed several people into the sleep lab. )