Anyone Struggling with BOTH Apnea & Autoimmune Issues Here?

[DavidCarolina]

Hi guys, Ive been on cpap about a year now, with two sleep studies under my belt. The problem is, its hard for me to tell (when i have problems, apneas, agitations, asthma) WHICH condition is most likely triggering my problems.

I see a lot of stuff on here about food allergies and diets, but to me, those are actually auto immune issues. The allergies are SYMPTOMS of it.

Id really like to create a couple online friendships with people who have figured out some of the complexities of man aging the interconnected problems of:

*apnea

*leaky gut syndrome, ie, autoimmune problems, and resulting food allergies

*resulting respiratory problems, asthma like issues (even during the day)

*slight brain damage where no "therapy" actually completely cures you, youre simply striving for improvement not complete restoration

*the role weight loss can play in all this, and which diet (specifically fungus, gluten, etc is usually the main culprit)

--Ive already eliminated dairy from diet, do a lot of (slow) excercise, and considering removing gluten, and avoid all aspartame, MSG, and
caffeine as possible)

Im HOPING to meet some folk open to the idea of some Personal Messaging on occasion when a problem arises on a mutual basis.

[NightMonkey]

slight brain damage where no "therapy" actually completely cures you, youre simply striving for improvement not complete restoration

I am not convinced you have any noticeable brain damage. With all the issues you list I assume you are sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation, even moderate sleep deprivation, can cause memory issues, confusion, and other problems that may seem like "brain damage".

Some of the symptoms you list, including " respiratory problems, asthma like issues (even during the day)", point toward acid reflux. Have you researched acid reflux or GERD to see if there is a symptoms match? Have you had a scope of the esophagus performed by a gastroenterologist?

Why have you removed dairy from your diet? Milk and milk products are an excellent source of protein.

The number of people allergic to gluten is very small and most people can eat gluten without any problems. It has become a fad to say "gluten intolerance". Gluten will not be missed in your diet, however it can be a stressful hassle to believe you are gluten intolerant and to try to avoid eating gluten. Have you been tested for gluten intolerance?

You don't mention your CPAP effectiveness. Typically what does your daily details chart look like? Events? Leak line? Pressure line?

Wrapping up, have doctors check you for acid reflux, gluten intolerance, and food allergies before deciding on a course of treatment on your own or based on what some anonymous internet character tells you.

[Hawthorne]

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis (diagnosed 20 years ago), which is an auto immune disease. The body attacks itself and destroys joint lining causing pain, stiffness and mobility issues, etc.

I have had sleep apnea (diagnosed severe) for about 10 years now and been on cpap for that whole time.

It is often hard to distinguish what is the problem during the day - apnea issues, RA issues or issues caused by the drugs I am on for the RA.

I eat a healthy balanced diet for my RA and have not eliminated dairy or gluten from my diet. I have a bad reaction to any artificial sweeteners so avoid those but other than that, I eat a "regular" diet. I have a strict exercise program of stretching, cardio and strength training to help my health and mobility as much as possible. I keep my weight at a healthly level for my situation, which involves exercise and eating a well balanced diet.

The only way I have found to be sure about the success of my cpap therapy in treating at least my apnea is well treated and not responsible for any daytime issues, is to use software for my cpap machine (data capable auto) to check my nightly data and to use a recording oximeter occassionally to be sure my oxygen levels are good. With these tools, I know what is happening with my apnea and maintain an AHI of almost always below 3 and, often, below 1. This way I now that the RA is the problem when issues arise. If I were to have drastic changes in my AHI or oxygen levels, I would look to the sleep apnea as well as the possible cause of issues.

I have an auto machine and the Clinician's manual for my machine and, because I have the data every day, I can make any changes in my cpap setttings - get some input on this forum if needed - to try to deal with issues myself that may be sleep apnea related. I have only had 2 sleep studies in the 10 years.

[DavidCarolina]

Thanks for the info.

NightMOnkey, Yes, I was at Mayo Clinic and they performed test for GERD.

As far as brain damage, the problem was that I went for a few years with apnea before being treated. My central nervous system seems to be somewhat permanently altered in the way i feel and the way i function......at least after a year.

I never had a problem with "fatigue" since Ive always had a flexible schedule and could catch up with naps if needed. Fatigue was never my major complaint.
I rarely felt exhausted. Instead, the problem was simultaneously developing auto immune problems (which could have been caused by apnea), food allergies,
alongside apnea.

Ive been a lifelong athlete and know my body really well, and the change is me is obvious and cpap hasnt completely corrected it by any means. I feel like
its more managing or preventing further problems. Which is good but not all that i had hoped.

[avi123]

David, you're keep talking about auto immune but you don't reveal excactly what you mean. Auto immune of what?

[Kiralynx]

If you want to research a diet for gut issues, get a copy of Elaine Gottschall's Breaking the Vicious Cycle. It's not an easy diet to follow, but it does work -- and I've followed it for over ten years.

You can begin to research it at http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info

[DaviCarolina]

Thanks Kira. Yes, Im aware of all sorts of diets and procedures for autoimmune disorders, which to explain to the other poster, is a condition in which
your intestinal wall becomes compromised or "leaky" and allows larger food molecules and even viruses through into your bloodstream, and your body's defense system immediately "attacks" them similar to an adrenaline "fight or flight" response.

This explains the "auto" part, your own immune system is making you sick. There are many possible reasons for developing the various autoimmune conditions ranging from chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, gluten, food allergies, poor adrenal function (the result of overworked reaction), etc.

IN my case, Im like millions of other people, they cant really name my exact condition. In fact, often times an auto immune condition is described as a set of SYMPTOMS such as fatigue, nausea after eating, agitation, etc.

For me, agitation and a disturbance in my breathing pattern is the main problem. I also get instantly sick now after doing any immediate heavy straining (which explains why I cant run anymore or pick up really heavy objects----any sudden spike in my BP makes me sick).

You can imagine how apnea would complicate this whole deal, and how careful you have to be what you eat. For example, I discovered how I was "allergic" to dairy (an extremely common immune reaction since large undigested milk proteins named casseins pass through your intestine into your blood without being properly digested and your body immediately attacks them) by getting desperately ill one night after eating ice cream.

Needless to say, most doctors dont have a CLUE what this is. They can only test for food allergies. And the problem isnt milk per se, its your INTESTINAL WALL.

I spent ten days at Mayo Clinic so you know I had the best testing of major body systems on the planet.

Most people dont realize that your "gut" is almost as important as your respiration and heart in terms of regulating your body. All of your serotonin is produced there for example.

When the bacterial count is destroyed and tiny holes occur (damage), it can make you VERY sick. Combine that with apnea, and your life is a constant series of "managements" controlling what, when, and how you eat, and worrying about how it will affect your sleep numbers.

I personally avoid MSG, aspartame, coffee, dairy, gluten.

True, as was said earlier, being "gluten intolerant" has become a fashionable fad, but its the SUGARS and often the FUNGUS within those products that youre actually allergic to.

BUt thanks for the tips and information. I have a database, and just like on this board, we become our own doctors in a sense, searching for answers every day to manage our conditions.

[DLB]

Hi David,

I'm definitely sympathetic to your condition. In addition to my OSA, I have been struggling with weight, migraines, digestive issues, memory issues, mood issues, fatigue, degenerative joint and spine issues, etc. I don't have any official diagnosis other than the OSA. My wife has been formally diagnosed with MS and I definitely see some similarities with how I feel.

After getting my OSA under control, my other symptoms have continued to worsen. Many, if not all of my issues could be attributed to inflammation. I am also experimenting with dietary changes to see if I can reverse some of these issues.

I have been without caffeine for over 6 weeks. Almost daily headaches for a full month, but now they are declining in both number and severity!

The only dairy I have consumed for 4 weeks is a little cheese and a little plain Greek yogurt. This seams to help improve some of the digestive issues.

I have only had gluten on a few days out of the last 4 weeks. When I had a few pieces of pizza this weekend, it wiped me out and all I wanted to do was sleep. I'm not sure if this is due to the crust or the cheese, but think its the crust.

I am avoiding all artificial sweeteners and MSG, which it turns out is much harder to do than I anticipated. MSG or one of its hidden forms is in just about every processed food and used at just about every restaurant.

I haven't had any alcoholic beverages in the last 6 weeks and rarely drank before.

I am trying to change everything about the diet that I have enjoyed for the last 40 years. Its not only incredibly difficult, but rather depressing.

Let me know if you run across any good information sources, etc. on your journey.

Best Regards,
DLB

[Kiralynx]

David,

Yes, there are plenty of diets out there. I probably tried most of them over the 25 years I suffered with undiagnosed gut issues. I was told, repeatedly, to "Just stop stuffing your face and lose some weight, and IT will all clear up." I never had a diagnosis.

What I do know is that the creator of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, Dr. Sidney Valentine Haas, received world recognition for his research in 1951. The diet was the original celiac diet, and was used for many other gut issues. Then gluten-free became the "in" thing, and the SCD would have vanished, if not for a stubborn woman by the name of Elaine Gottschall, whose 8 year old daughter was slated to have her colon removed because of profound ulcerative colitis and night terrors. SCD cured her daughter, and she wanted to know WHY.

A Master of Science in gut biology later, she self-published her book to help people.

I stumbled on in in 2001, when I was absolutely desperate. It worked. It literally saved my life, then. It also made for amazing healing in 2008 after my cancer surgery. In fact. my oncologist ordered three copies of the book for family members because she was so impressed by my general health. She said she wished she could put all her patients on my diet.

I'm familiar with most of what you were talking about. Thanks to SCD, it's a thing of the past. I wish you all the best in your quest for better health.

[Kaylis]

I'm another one with both apnea and autoimmune problems. I've been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, allergies (including all molds in the air or in food), and Asthma. Autoimmune issues run in the family, since my sister has Lupus, and my father, sister, sons (2), etc have allergies and Asthma too. The Fibromyalgia is definitely effected by my sleep quality, while my sleep quality is effected by my allergies and Asthma. It's one big tangle.

[portiemom]

I am sorry to hear of your struggle, and I can appreciate your plight. I have been on cpap almost 8 years with great numbers, but still have not managed to get quality sleep or better my daytime activities. I have DDD, spinal stenosis, and I fear fibromyalgia. I do have fatigue most every day, and truly don't where to start with diet changes. Feel overwhelmed most of the time as I have to work. I am very interested in your journey and I hope you find the answers you're looking for my friend.