BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Neuromuscular Diseases Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Neuromuscular Disease

Weakened respiratory and upper airway muscles caused by neuromuscular disorder can cause insufficient breathing during sleep in both adults and children, leading to increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). During obstructive sleep apnea, a person has reduced air flow or stops breathing.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Neuromuscular Disease

I have sleep apnea been on a c-pap machine for almost 17 yrs
thank you Jori for the article very interesting

I have both obstructive sleep apnea and central nervous system involvement. My pulmonologist said he was alarmed, because my brain said I didn't need to breath 14 times during my night at the sleep clinic. He said it's probably due to my neuromuscular disorder, but CMT is peripheral. I'm trying to get used to my CPAP machine,but am having a difficult time falling to sleep with the mask and staying asleep.

Jori did you come across any info on anything I may be able to do about the CNS aspect? I haven't found anything. Thanks again for another great article.

**NOTE: new users are not allowed to add links/urls to their posts!

I'm glad that you found the article interesting Rosie. If you feel comfortable, would you share how CPAP has helped you? Thanks!

Hi, Mindy. I'm glad that you found my article interesting. Keep working at getting used to the CPAP machine, as it will make a big difference to your sleep, health, and quality of life. You might want to talk to your physician for some strategies to get used to it.

It is hard to find much specific to central sleep apnea. Here is an overview:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003997.htm

Here is a link to a couple of brief articles from Lancet noting the increased incidence of CSA in those with CMT, but which makes it clear that it is not yet understood why there is an association:
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(00)05280-6/fulltext

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(00)05281-8/fulltext

Here is an abstract from PubMed:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17294338

I hope that these help you to find some good information.

Jori

Jori, My C-PAP Machine has taken away all of the severe headaches I use to wake up with
I no longer am falling asleep during the day
Once i fell asleep on the bus snoring
I am no longer snoring at all during my sleep with my C-PAP
At first it was difficult trying to sleep with the air blowing at me and the sound of the machine it self
But now I don't even notice
I can't sleep with out my mask
If it troubles you in the beginning with the air and noise don't stop using your C-PAP give it time

Jori thank you for the information. I'll bring it to my next Drs. appointment. Am I allowed to mention my blog on Living Well With CMT at: cmtnyus.Wordpress I wrote about spending a night at a sleep clinic. Would like to get some feedback instead of just spam. Although I'm not living too well lately, still writing to let people know about CMT. Melinda (Mindy)

Rosie,Thanks for letting me know it is possible to get used to the cold air blowing in your face and the noise of the machine. This is what makes it difficult for me to fall asleep with the CPAP mask. Good to know, that if I hang in there, I will get used to it and eventually will feel better.

I did not recognize you as 'Mindy!' Of course you can mention your blog, Melinda. Living Well with CMT. Here are links:

Living Well with CMT

and a link to your article about your sleep study:

Wired for Sleep

To those of you who have not yet visited Melinda's blog, I highly recommend reading it!

Jori

Mindy, if your CPAP does not have the 'heated humidity' feature, ask your physician if you can get one that does. My understanding is that heated humidity makes CPAP more tolerable.