Posted by Jennifer on June 4, 2000, at 0:30:02
In reply to Re: Indigestion and SOB, posted by Noa on June 3, 2000, at 13:33:15
Great addition on the apnea! I just got my sleep study results and I have apnea 9 times an hour. Decreases on my right side, but I just can't sleep that way. Waiting until after my endocrine visit for hypercortisol next week before deciding on CPAP, but I wouldn't hesitate for a second after that because it can be so helpful. Also found out I have little REM sleep...If you have any ideas that would be great. I'm going to post a question about it. Jennifer
> Let me add a word about apnea, too, because it can be linked with both reflux and asthma.
>
> I used to have HORRIBLE reflux. I would wake up suddenly in the night, totally unable to breath. It felt like literally the end of my life. It would seem like a long time, though I know it was probably not as long as I thought, of totally choking, not able to take in any air at all. I would really feel I was checking out for good.
>
> What I learned later was that the total cessation of breath was caused by a complete spasm of the vocal chords, which do this to protect themselves from the stomach acid. I didn't know it when I was breathless, but I was not going to die, because the larynx spasm would ease up within a minute or less.
>
> Then, independent of this problem, I figured out I had obstructive sleep apnea--from dreams of being under water and unable to get to the surface to breathe. I had myself evaluated in a sleep clinic, and after diagnosis, started using a nasal CPAP machine. Once this occurred, I never had reflux again!! The guy who sold me the CPAP, who is a respiratory therapist and an apnea patient himself, explained that the pressure caused by struggling for air can cause reflux, and it is common for folks with apnea to have reflux.
>
> In any event, even if you do not have apnea, it is conceivable that your reflux occurs while you are asleep and are unaware of it. A sleep eval might be a good idea. Or, just try treating the reflux and see if it makes a difference. It is important to treat it for at least two reasons. First, is the shortness of breath, and like Jen said, the risk of worsening asthma over time. Second, reflux can lead to esophageal cancer.
>
> One more little thing: it is possible that some meds contribute to the problem. Some meds cause muscle relaxation, which can lead to reflux, because the sphincter muscle that keeps food and acid in the stomach from going into the esophagus, could become slack. Also, slack muscle tone could contribute to apnea as well.
poster:Jennifer
thread:4513
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000603/msgs/35942.html