SLEEP APNEA /HYPOPNEA WITH NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER

GDW · Post by **GDW** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:11 am

After my first sleep study I was put on CPAP and recommended for a second sleep study. A week later I did the second sleep study. During that study the technician had me on CPAP and then switched to BiPAP. Afterwards I was told that my oxygen saturation level had stabilized at first while on the BiPAP, but when I moved, I quit breathing again. The technician told me afterwards that I appear to have a problem in my brain, that when I lay down to go to sleep at night, my brain stops telling me to breathe.
Is there a name for this disorder?
Has anyone else ever heard of this?

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:19 am

Yes. It is called central apnea.
Central sleep apnea is rare. This type is called central apnea because it is related to the function of the central nervous system. If you have this type of apnea, the muscles you use to breathe don't get the "go-ahead" signal from your brain. Either the brain doesn't send the signal, or the signal gets interrupted
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/apnea.html

Chris

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:52 am

GDW, you might find this topic interesting:

Jan 26, 2005 Subject: Apneas, Central Apneas and Hypopneas

Note especially what christinequilts (posting as "Guest" in the first linked topic) says about how centrals noted in a sleep study can sometimes be misreported due to belt loosening after a person moves or turns over. I'm no doctor or health professional, but I firmly believe that the validity of what is found/reported on a sleep study depends absolutely on the experience of the tech handling the data acquisition as well as the experience of the scorer. They may or may not be the same person.

STEELBELT61 · Post by **STEELBELT61** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:58 am

So what is the treatment for central sleep apnea?

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 2:58 pm

Generally two approaches for therapy are available. One is a synchronous, timed bipap machine, which will prompt you to breathe after a specific period of time and the second is prescription medication. Either way, you need to consult with a neurologist who is board certified in sleep medicine.

Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

Machine