posted
I have Lyme. I have not had my husband tested. He has recently had symptoms which are Lyme like:
Unexplained pain from right shoulder for several months.
Flu like symptoms with extreme fatigue for three weeks.
His easy going happy attitude has become more bitter, critical and unhappy. (could be stress from his job/econimics)
He has had for many years a problem sleeping. He went to the doctor and got sent to a ENT for a sudden air hunger that wakes him from his sleep.
The ENT says it could be sleep apnea, but that there was not physical reason for it that he could see.
He is not "typical" for sleep apnea as he is slender build, an athlete, but this constant waking is a serious problem.
Could this be Lyme or Babs? I tested neg. for Babs.
Should I have him tested?
I know some people experience this - does it only happen while sleeping? It will keep him awake all night, then in the early morning hours he'll get to sleep 2-3 hours.
Posts: 641 | From So. CA | Registered: May 2008
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Peedie,
One of my friends (she has Lyme) has a very slender husband with no symptoms of Lyme and he has definite sleep apnea which is helped with the C-PAP machine.
So while those who have extra weight, large necks, snore, etc. are more likely to have sleep apnea, it could occur in others.
I have recently developed air hunger and am now positive for Babesia Duncani after five years of treament - still ongoing - for Lyme and the other coinfections.
My air hunger started with uncontrollable gasps for air at night but now it's daytime too. So your description sounds like it could be either apnea or Babs. Apnea can cause all kinds of things like fatigue, restless leg syndrome, etc. - two members of my family have it and have been helped a lot by the C-PAP machine.
My brother has significant sleep apnea (he is quite overweight) and did get gasps of air at night that would wake him up. That has gone away with the C-PAP.
I recently had an overnight sleep study because of worsening, bizarre myoclonus and other issues that are presumably from Bartonella, etc., but we had to rule out apnea due to family history. I don't have it, but the overnight study at least gave me a good workup of my brain waves, four stages of sleep analysis, etc.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
I'm sorry, but saying someone doesn't or can't have sleep apnea on appearance along is IGNORANT. Go to a real sleep specialist please.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
I have sleep apnea and I am thin. I know others that are thin and have it, too. I don't think it should be dismissed because he is thin. C-PAP really helped me, that is until the nasty insomnia reared it's head again.
posted
Hi everyone. Well, the ENT doctor said based on the Physical appearance of his nose. sinus and throat, and considering the majority of people with sleep apnea are at least somewhat over weight - all things considered - that he would be in a 5% population of people like him - with sleep apnea. Just what he said.
So the problem with trying the C-PAP is neither he or I think he can stand anything on his face. He is very sensitive about these things.
I thought the responsible thing would be to check out a Lyme connection - or Babs with you all.
Since the C-PAP will be a problem for him - and this may simply be a symptom of something else?
-p
Posts: 641 | From So. CA | Registered: May 2008
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posted
Hi! I have lyme&coinfections and had the air hunger
a couple months ago. It slowly went away from I
guess my meds,and I'm now using two pillows that seems to help
I would have him get tested just in case,never know
Just wanted to share
Posts: 24 | From lymeland | Registered: Sep 2008
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
If it were me, I'd have him evaluated for both lyme/co-infections and sleep apnea since both problems are potentially deadly. You might as well know the whole picture so that you can know all the options for recovering his health.
There are 2 kinds of sleep apnea. Obstructive and Cenral. Central sleep apnea has nothing to do with the shape of the throat etc.. I'm fairly certain that the ENT cannot tell the liklihood of central sleep apnea with a physical exam.
If he has sleep apnea, there are other options besides a CPAP for treatment depending on the type of apnea that one has. Meds, appliances made by a dentist, surgery and maybe others.
It's possible to have both sleep apnea and lyme. I have both as do 2 of my 3 siblings. So many people with lyme disease have throat issues that I think it's possible that a higher percentage of lyme patients have sleep apnea.
Terry I'm not a doctor.
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Lyme causes low thyroid, many patients here are
hypothyroid, low thyroid can cause sleep apnea. I
would check both.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
do you have health insurance?
my 2 night sleep study showing i had sleep apnea was $10,000 plus $500 for dr. to tell me how to interpret his results!! my insurance paid all buy my yearly deductible! fyi only.
i have a HALF mask with 2 nose PILLOWS that go up into the nostrels; better than the full mask which i had one heck of a time wearing after sleep study 4 yrs. ago.
i've seeing some benefits until this last week when i'm all plugged up again at night time. i was able to eliminate 2 asthma meds at bedtime and during the night.
best wishes. yes, there are other alternatives including surgery.
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posted
Thank you all for your advice! These are all very good suggestions. I will order the test kits for Lyme and Babs - for now. I'll have him get the Thyroid checked out.
Yes - he has a PPO insurance plan. I've been trying to get him to do a sleep study. The doctor wrote it up - but he won't go - says he won't get to sleep in the first place. He's such a baby!!!
I'll keep trying. Thanks again all. -p
Posts: 641 | From So. CA | Registered: May 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
peedie, since i can't sleep at night,
i arranged to come in at MIDNIGHT and was there until noon -1pm .... had to make SPECIAL arrangements; otherwise they ship you out of there 6-7 am!! NO way for that kind of money.
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