Sleep apnia and other illnesses

Just curious how many have other illness's besides SA? I have Crohn's and Rhuematoid Arthritis as well. It makes life a challenge sometimes as well as moody.

i have congestive heart failure and gastroeseaphagal reflux

"It makes life a challenge sometimes as well as moody"

^^^^you are so RIGHT about this!!!!

I have chronic resistive high blood pressure. My doctor speculates that apnea may be contributing to my blood pressure problem. Since I stated CPAP my pressure has come down a little.

HI i have kidny disease (iga nephropathy) which causes me to go aneamic, and also raises my blood pressure,i take loads of pills every day,also i have an injection (EPO) every weekand in the future i will need dialysis,and possibly a transplant,and now i am on cpap as well,but all this does'nt bother me,the only thing that i hate is my loseing battle with weight,BUT I HAVE A GOOD WIFE and she is my rock.

I have hypothyroidism (slow thyroid).

Lynne

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis as well as OSA.

I also have asthma & degenerative joint disease.

I have Osteoarthritis and high blood pressure and am getting a joint total knee replacement in April of 2005.

Judy

Well it seems that a number of us suffer other illnesses along with SA. Wonder if there is a correlation here?

I feel like my lot in life is to make the Porche payments for doctors and drug companies. Imagine if we had all the money we have spent on co-payments and direct payments on our health!

I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Just diagnosed 1 year ago this month.

The sleep apnea was discovered due to a week long stay in the hospital in July '04 after trying the new drug Humira (injection) for my Rheumatoid. After my 3rd shot (1 shot every two weeks) I suddenly came down with a 103 degree fever and the doctors could not figure out what was causing it, nor could they bring it down.

Many xrays,CTScans,MRIs, and blood tests and 1 week in the hospital ($40K worth), I was released when they finally got my temperature down to 101. The diagnosis was "fever of unknown origin". I was still sick though, and very short of breath, so my rheumatologist sent me to a Pulmonary Dr. to see if the Humira (or other RH drugs I'm on) had done damage to my lungs.

When I walked into the Pulmonologist's office, the first thing he said to me was "you look like you could use a good night's sleep"... I'll bet you have sleep apnea. He asked a few questions and then said " I KNOW you have sleep apnea - let's get you tested." He also did a breathing test, but the results were negative for lung problems.

The answer was Sleep Apnea!! Apparently I had reflux and was inhaling that into my lungs when I gasped for air during the night. Since I'm single, no one noticed I did this on a regular basis. I knew I woke up a lot and was a restless sleeper, but tying it all together now really made sense.

For years, I've had pretty severe lung infections, without knowing why, and twice when I was hospitalized for operations, I got pneumonia from inhaling refulx while under anethesia. No one put it all together until now.

Strange how things happen, but after 1 month on the cpap I can see an improvment in my sleep AND my refulx! Other than dealing with mask leaks, I'm adapting well to my machine, and I'm convinced I'll make it through this cold season without a severe lung infection! I'm anxious to see if this will happen!! Meanwhile, my energy level is increasing too.

It's interesting to read all the postings here and be able to relate to many of them. One more thing the Pulm. Doctor said to me after he read my first sleep results - he said "It great to see that you have something I can fix.... in my business, there's so many things I can't, but Sleep Apnea is one where you just KNOW your patient will see a great improvment in their life with only a minimal change in their lifestyle."

I admit - it's true too! For all the complaining we do about having to wear these crazy "things" at night, this is a "disease" that can be treated without any harmful side effects from the treatment, and with such positive results in so many areas of your health.

God works in mysterious ways, His miracles to perform.....

Connie

I have "severe" sleep apnea just recently diagnosed. I also have lupus, fibromyalgia, a messed up thyroid, which corrects itself, severe back injury from accident, restless leg syndrom (not severe), arthritis, etc. I feel like a 37-year old nursing home patient. I hate it. What's worse is I don't know what symptoms are coming from what. My lupus is mild (for now), so I have to assume it's the apnea, but need others to tell me their symptoms. I just feel alone and am so glad I discovered this website tonight. Hope you get through it - just pray.

For sure you are not alone!!!!! Read through the posts here, a LOT of us are supporting Porsche payments for the doctors. It would seem that SA and other illnesses are related. Hang in there, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!

Hi Rock&Roll

Other aliments I have had beside sleep apeona was Restless Leg Sydrome which is treated with Madopar. I found out the hard way that chronic ongoing sleep issues or deprivation can cause a depressive illness due to on going exhustion phyically and mentally.

If one's sleep issues goes on too long it can be very life threatening to the suffer, I found out the hard way! Nearly got ran over by several cars by falling asleep whist trying to cross a road!!! If it wasn't for my friend I would been in hospital nursing injuries thanks to sleep apenoa! Thank goodness I got it treated promptly.

I have been on CPAP for over 2 yrs.....My sleep is once more refreshing as it should be! I now a hose head, or a snorkle mask user!!!

I am relatively new to the board. I am a type 2 diabetic with high blood pressure. I went to the sleep study at my brother and sister's insistence and have had my CPAP for about three weeks (Remstar Pro). My only complaint so far is the mask. Because of the suggestions on the board, I think I'll look at the Activa. I already ordered the Aussie hose. Thanks for all your help. Dan

I am convinced apnea contributes to many other illnesses. It definately can affect the endocrine system.

In additon to the apnea i have hypertension (mild), hypothroidism, type 2 diabetes, idiopathic hypersomnia, osteoarthritis, depression.

I can trace all of these including the apnea back to one problem, morbid obesity. Problem is I don't loose weight permanently.