Random thoughts about my OSA....

I developed most of my symptoms that lead me to a sleep study after 2 rough bouts of illness: Sept 2009 and Jan 2010. Upper resp, throat infections,coughing,wheezing,vomiting,congestion,etc,etc.It was bad, and in both cases I was in bed for a week, but the illness lasted 3-4 weeks, in less severe form.I was put on off the chart cough syrup,2 types of inhalers,nasal mist, and AB. Most have resolved,though I do have lingering nasal congestion,post nasal drip,occasional cough and wheezing.
But I haven't been "right" since....I said that before my diagnosis....Just not myself.

Could that in any way lead to the development of OSA?

Is sleep apnea and treatment going to be a lifelong issue for everyone? Is that just how it is? Or can you improve?

Hi, I hate to say it, but you really, really need to talk to your doctor about this. Your symptoms (original and left over) pertain to many different types of illnesses and we're not doctors, not even close. You could have even been misdiagnosed originally, or not diagnosed at all, but treated for symptoms, and now could have the results of poor treatment, or even something like chronic fatigue syndrome or asthma, or who knows what, but for heaven's sake don't even try to diagnose it yourself, but do get medical help from pros who can actually examine you, send out lab tests, etc. etc. The one thing I'm pretty sure of though, is that OSA is not normally caused by respiratory illnesses, though could become more obvious by symptoms, etc.

Julie wrote: You could have even been misdiagnosed originally, or not diagnosed at all, but treated for symptoms, and now could have the results of poor treatment, or even something like chronic fatigue syndrome or asthma.....

I think you are right on. I was only bombarded with meds after my 2nd visit to complain about the symptoms. I went to urgent care once, they swabbed for strep, came back negative and gave me broad spectrum AB bc they only knew what I didn't have. I didn't get well all the way.

Since I already have an appt with Neuro 11/18--I guess to meet since diagnosis?--I'm going to make an appt with pulmonary. Why not have a medical TEAM at this point? My reg. doctor, love her, but she'd just give me more meds.....

SnoozyQ wrote:I developed most of my symptoms that lead me to a sleep study after 2 rough bouts of illness: [snip]

Could that in any way lead to the development of OSA?

Could it be the other way around? That your undiagnosed OSA lead to the illnesses? I think that's what happened with me. I had bronchitis six times within the past year. Chest x-rays showed normal, thoracic CT scan, likewise No pneumonia, but recurring bouts of bronchitis that would respond wonderfully within 24 hours to azithromycin.

Then went to see a pulmonologist on my RN-wife's urging. About the third question he asked me was, "Have you ever had a sleep study?" Bingo. That was it. Had one, found I had really bad OSA 73.5 AHI. Followup pulmonary function test showed normal. As did bloodwork. Pulmonologist grinned and said, "I thought so." And my wife keeps saying, "I told you so!"

Yes, I expect it's life-long. But there's far worse. The wife slipped on a wet floor at McDonald's and now can't sleep for the back pain that doesn't respond to medication.

Slartybartfast wrote:Could it be the other way around? That your undiagnosed OSA lead to the illnesses? I think that's what happened with me. I had bronchitis six times within the past year. Chest x-rays showed normal, thoracic CT scan, likewise No pneumonia, but recurring bouts of bronchitis that would respond wonderfully within 24 hours to azithromycin

Interesting....but I have to say that before my illness in Sept 2009, I didn't have any of extreme tiredness,etc. I was "normal" for me, had no weight change, didn't snore--none of what lead me to have my doctor set up the sleep study.

I haven't had any chest Xrays, scans,etc.

Seeing a pulmonologist sounds like a good plan. Nothing says you can't have OSA AND another health issue.

From my seat as an arm chair quarterback (I am not a doctor and I don't play one on t.v.) it sounds to me like you might have a touch of asthma or "reactive airway disease", so it's a good idea to get this sorted out by a pulmonologist.

Dr. Steven Park talks about how asthma, sinusitis, and OSA relate. That mucous in your airway is irritating and causes some swelling further narrowing of the airway. While it's unlikely that is the ONLY cause of your SA, it may be a factor and when you are getting the proper treatment, it may improve things overall.

I finally agreed to be tested for SA after a truly horrible bout of bronchitis. We had to do a complete overhaul of my asthma meds, but I have found that the CPAP helps keep the asthma under control and the good asthma control certainly helps the CPAP be effective. We may be talking about different regions of the airway, but they are defnitely connected.