Sleep Apnea

[Ruby300]

Hi I had massive heart attack last year March had a stent all seems to be going ok. But I also have Sleep Apnea I what to know if there is anyone else have this has well. Because since my attack every time I use the mask I wake up in the morning I feel awful when you use this machine you suppose to wake feeling really good. When I went to my GP to tell her how I felt she done ECG etc but I really don’t think she understood what I was saying really. Any help would be appreciated.

[Hidden]

Dear Ruby300

I am so sorry that you are feeling so bad with your sleep apnea.

I am not medically trained nor do I suffer with your problem, but I have a member of my family that does.

As stupid as it sounds, are you blocking your air tube any how? as a poor flow will end up with the problems that you have.

Has the outflow of the machine been checked etc, is this on lone from the NHS or is it a private machine?

Has the stent operation weakened the depth of your breathing? Your heart team maybe able to throw some more light on this.

Your Dr must listen to your concerns and I for one think that you have presented your problems very clearly.

I am so glad that yourECG is clear and that you have settled in with your stent.

I hope that you find an answer soon

You are in my thoughts

[Ruby300 in reply to Hidden]

Hi thank you for your message when I sent the message I rang the sleep apnea clinic which I am under I forgot all about them to tell you the true I only speak to them once a year. Anyway she check her end the machine doing what it should be doing the pressure is fine she said she will book me in with the sleep clinic doctor it will be phone call but at the moment there is a wait. She said I should also ask my GP to refer me to Cardiologist doc which I will ask her if she would do that mind you I saw him month before Christmas I was really happy with him because he keep on talking about a crystal ball. 🤷‍♀️ But thank you very much for your message.

[Chappychap]

Hello Ruby, don’t give up on getting your issues resolved, and if necessary try again with your GP.

There’s evidence that sleep apnea can be the root cause for some patients of their heart disease. It may be that fixing or at least managing your sleep apnea could materially reduce your risk of future heart problems….so be tenacious!

Good luck!

[Ruby300 in reply to Chappychap]

Hi thank you for your message. I called the clinic who deal with sleep apnea they just called back spoke to the nurse there she going to get me a telephone app with the doc she also said GP don’t really know about sleep apnea which I knew that because my GP already said it wasn’t her field. So I wait and see when he calls. But thank you for your encouraging message.

[july2020]

Hi Ruby300

I suffer from Sleep Apnea and had a Triple bypass in 2020, I can sympathise with your plight. To have additional sleep issues piled on to the already stressful situation is no fun.

Do you monitor your sleep using an app? I have a Resmed machine and they have their myAir system that shows you what kind of a night you have had, I find this a useful indicator as to why I feel particularly bad in the morning. Your Sleep clinic should be able to tell you what is available.

I suffer from both Central and Obstructive Apneas and after the bypass my Central Apnea rate went through the roof.

To cut a long story short I found out that the Ticagrelor, I had been prescribed, had been reported as increasing Central Apneas and after discussion with the consultant I was switched to Clopidogrel and my Central Apneas settled back down.

I still had tiredness issues but these were primarily due to Bisoprolol which was stopped after 12 months.

Although things will never be the same I am practically back to how I was.

I would say the sleep clinic consultant is your first port of call, as they understand these things better. But having said that I had to drive my diagnosis, as you can face the scenario of "your machine is working fine, it must be something else". The consultant I spoke to was excellent but did not know about Ticagrelor, but she did tell me the opiates I was on for pain could increase apneas and swapped my machine for a new type that was better for Central Apneas.

Your cardiologist should be able to review your medication for any possible side effects, but note the if you are on Ticagrelor the link with Central Apneas is contested by the drug company.

If you have any other questions I will be happy to help if I can.

Fingers crossed you can get to the root cause of your issues.

[Ruby300 in reply to july2020]

Hi thank you so much for your message. Yes I have the same machine and I do have the same app which I have to say is brilliant. Since I sent my message this morning I called the sleep apnea clinic she check the machine and pressure her end said everything was fine and that I seem to be doing fine. She even said few years back when I first went to the clinic the sleep apnea was really bad but now it is so much better. I told her how I felt but I don’t think she got it really she put in a request for the consultant to call me but there is a waiting list mind you I did tell her I never ever see him. Or she did say try and see the heart consultant it might be the pills like what you said but I have already see him I don’t think it’s the pills I think it’s the sleep apnea what I have been doing I use it every other night and I find I feel so much better. But for a good feel weeks I used it every night that’s when I started to feel unwell. Perhaps if I do it every other night it might help what do you think. Thank you again.

[july2020 in reply to Ruby300]

Hi Ruby

I know when I am not on my machine my apnea is worse because I monitor my sleep via a Withings mat so personally every other night would be bad for me. Also, as I understand it, as an apnea suffer you are obliged by DVLA to use the machine or they can take away your driving licence.

Your question is really one for the sleep consultant who can look at the more detailed information they get from the machine to determine if there is anything they can do to help you sleep better, also talk to them about your medication to see if they can spot anything.

Sorry I could not be of any more help, I hope you can resolve this.

Take care

[Ruby300 in reply to july2020]

Hi thank you for your message I understand what you mean. I am waiting for the consultant to call me when ever that will be. I just have to wait and see I am still using it because really don’t want to stop but I am doing it every other night just to see how I feel with it. Are you saying you have to report to the DVLA that you have sleep apnea? Thank you for your help.

[july2020 in reply to Ruby300]

When I was first diagnosed with apnea the consultant said I was obliged to inform DVLA, but as I understand it things are a bit different now.

The Sleep Apnoea Trust has some detailed information.

sleep-apnoea-trust.org/driv...