OSA and CFS

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 3:06 pm

I have seen somewhere on the internet that there could be as many as 25% of people with OSA also have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Unfortunately I have both, it makes life very difficult. I often don't know whether I am tired from lack of sleep (mask hasn't worked well) or if its just CFS. CFS makes you both physically and mentally tired. I wonder if there are any others like me out there?
Ken

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 3:44 pm

I don't have much knowledge on this subject, but I'd suggest you click on the Search function at the top of this page and for keyword enter CFS

It will give you 13 matches of previous threads containing CFS info.

Happy reading!

msr986 · Post by **msr986** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 3:43 am

I've got CFS. My doc once told me I needed a minimum of eleven to twelve hours of sleep a night to offset some of the effects of CFS (ha!). Anything you can do to try to help with the symptoms of CFS you should do. After time, the cumulative efforts will start to pay off, and gradually you will feel better. Sleeping better WILL help CFS. Stick with the program, the CPAP will help!

-Marty

sir_cumference · Post by **sir_cumference** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 6:13 am

HI

I was diagnosed quite a few years ago as having CFS and fibromyalgia. However, the diagnosis (I think) was wrong as I got so much better when finally diagnosed as having OSA. However, the process of getting my strength back and getting to the point of trying to live and work a normal life has been agonisingly slow! And, when the fibromyalgia kicks in, I can't sleep in the same position for any length of time, and no matter how good your mask is, constantly having to move ruins your sleep!

It's a real pain (in every sense of that word), but I truly believe that the OSA treatment is hacking away at the CFS, albeit much more slowly than I would like!

I look at it this way, it took me 10+ years to get to the very low state I was in when diagnosed with CFS .. so can I expect the reversal of that long slow decline to be made within a few short months? Much as I would like it to be that simple, I believe that it will be a couple of years at least before I reach the point where I feel as strong as everyone else around me.

The other key I think is having the right mental attitude - be thankful for any improvement - don't let a couple of bad days drag you down - keep on keeping on. I believe that with the OSA treatment, for many of us the end of CFS is in sight, even if it is still quite a long way away.
sir-cumference

rbv24 · Post by **rbv24** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 8:29 am

After almost a year on the hose I couldn't figure out why I still had a low energy reserve. I have my AHI under 5 most nights and sleep a minimum of 7 hrs a night and was still tired.

I went in about a month ago to see my GP and he ran a full blood panel. The result was that I have Epstein-Barr and CFS which explained the constant run down feeling.

MY GP recommended echinachia to help boost my immune system and to get rechecked in 4 to 6 months.

Kenv · Post by **Kenv** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 2:35 pm

Hi, I was the author of this thread - I forgot to log on and it put me in as a guest. I can't say that I'm pleased that some other people have both of these conditions because this double whammy makes life so difficult, however it is somehow comforting to know that there are fellow travellers along this particular road.
Ken

Sunflower · Post by **Sunflower** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 2:49 pm

I was recently dianosed with fibromyalgia....all because I didn't sleep well for years. I have improved enough to be able to get back to work but still have days where I have extreme exhaustion and can hardly cope.