I've searched for this on various CPAP forums but never..

[FallingtoPieces]

..found a proper answer. I'd earlier posted in this forum about the possibility of me having OSA. I haven't yet had a sleep test done but that will be taken care of ASAP however I'm 80% convinced that I have some form of OSA.

Anyway my question to you folks is this:

I've read that OSA causes hypertension (which i have) and palpitations (which i have). I'm taking medication for both hypertension and palpitations. My question is will this kind of medication (for hypertension/palpitations) lessen the effects of OSA? (and will it lessen the chances of me dying in my sleep? .

My BP has certainly gone down after taking medication for it. Another question is how soon does OSA turn into it being a cause of death ? I mean to say I most likely started having OSA a year ago (without me realising it), so how soon would it be before it is "too late"?

Thanks in Advance.

[NightMonkey]

From some of your earlier posts I will guess it will be some years before OSA kills you, or causes a stroke, heart disease, emotional disorder, or dementia.

But from what you have indicated your quality of life is very poor now. Do you want a good quality of life?

Then you need to work very hard on getting a sleep study and a diagnosis.

In the meantime, avoid all backsleeping - sleep only on your sides or stomach. This may offer some relief. See if your daytime sleepiness drops off.

[jnk]

I've read that OSA causes hypertension (which i have) and palpitations (which i have).

It can and it can. Those may be related to OSA but may not. Depends.

I'm taking medication for both hypertension and palpitations. My question is will this kind of medication (for hypertension/palpitations) lessen the effects of OSA?

Those medications are not designed to keep your airway open. If you have OSA, you also need something that helps keep your airway open during sleep.

(and will it lessen the chances of me dying in my sleep? .

That is a trickily worded question. If you need those medications, then they lessen your chances of dying from something related to what they treat, if what they treat is life-threatening in your personal case. How's that for a trickily worded answer? The best reason to use PAP (or a chemical medication) is love of life, not just fear of death.

My BP has certainly gone down after taking medication for it.

That's something to be thankful for. I believe most studies about PAP therapy and blood pressure have concentrated on hypertension that does NOT respond to drugs. In those cases, PAP can have dramatic effects. But in general, the average effect on blood pressure is not so dramatic, according to studies that I have glanced at. That is not, however, a reason for, or a reason against, using PAP therapy. You use PAP to improve everything about your health and quality of life that would improve with better O2 and better sleep.

Another question is how soon does OSA turn into it being a cause of death ? I mean to say I most likely started having OSA a year ago (without me realising it), so how soon would it be before it is "too late"?.

It appears that the earlier you start getting good sleep, the sooner you start feeling better and the less damage to health and life. If you are sleepy and tired while driving a car, for example, it shows respect for your life and for others' lives when you get something done about that.

The years we spend with bad sleep that could have been prevented are years we don't fully experience. The smart thing is to act as soon as we have the knowledge and ability to act on what we know about our health.

[Mary Z]

The meds for high blood pressure and heart palpitations will not influence your OSA. You may find the blood pressure and palpitations inprove if you do have OSA and go on CPAP therapy. The goal of CPAP therapy (as you probably know) is only to splint the airway open and prevent apneas. Do not stop your other meds once (if) you go on CPAP without your doctors approval- this would be very dangerous. Keep us posted on when you are having your sleep study and the results. Good luck.
If you're 80% sure you have OSA, begin researching machines so you're ahead of the game when getting your prescription.

[xenablue]

For me, yes - my PCP reduced my BP meds as I am consisently around 90/60, which he loves, but occasionally I get dizzy. Also my cholesterol is fantastic - but I work on that with diet/exercise as well, but it has improved since starting CPAP.

Additionally my blood glucose fasting numbers have improved, however after the occasional horrid night's sleep, it's up to its old numbers.

cheers,
xena

[WearyOne]

I am on blood pressure meds as well, and on cpap for over four years. Being on CPAP did not improve my BP or cholesterol. BUT I did stop waking up gasping for air, and I did stop waking up with a racing heart. Now, I didn't do this but maybe once a month, but that was more than enough for me!

[moresleep]

FallingToPieces, don't scare yourself to death with speculation. You've got to get a sleep study. If you have insurance that will pay, this is a no-brainer. If you don't, but can pay out of pocket, the same (there are cheaper home sleep studies available these days, from some companies, but not a good a lab sleep study). A recording Oximeter, which you can buy on Ebay or elsewhere for $100 to $150 together with software, will tell you whether you experience 02 desaturations indicative of untreated (and moderate/severe) sleep apnea.

[JohnBFisher]

... I've read that OSA causes hypertension (which i have) and palpitations (which i have). ...

It definitely increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart problems, kidney damage, strokes, diabetes, and a whole host of other issues. This science clearly shows a correlation.

.. I'm taking medication for both hypertension and palpitations. ...

Does it have it under control? Good for you. My medication only brought the high blood pressure to merely "dangerous" levels. Once I had my apnea addressed, the medication brought my blood pressure to safe / normal levels.

.. My question is will this kind of medication (for hypertension/palpitations) lessen the effects of OSA? (and will it lessen the chances of me dying in my sleep? ...

Nope. OSA is the failure of your body to keep your airway open.

Let's try an experiment. Hold your breath. Hold it for 30 seconds. Then repeat it over and over and over and over for about five minute. See how you feel at the end of that five minutes. Now imagine that happening for 8 hours straight. Your body ends up being exhausted, not rested. That's the danger of OSA. When you should be getting rest, your body is fighting to stay alive.

The only definitive solution is to have a sleep study done, and then to use the CPAP/BiPAP device that will be prescribed. It's a nuisance. But it beats being six feet under!

... Another question is how soon does OSA turn into it being a cause of death ? I mean to say I most likely started having OSA a year ago (without me realising it), so how soon would it be before it is "too late"? ...

The problem is that it will lead to irreversible damage to your body before it leads to death. Do you have diabetes? Nope. You may develop it if the OSA is unaddressed? Do you have kidney damage? Nope. You may develop it if the OSA remains unaddressed. And on and on ... You choose. Either you address the OSA or your health WILL suffer. And so will you.

Really. It's your choice. Just remember to choose wisely:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DGFuHC75aY