I was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea in the fall of last year (cronic fatigue), but the machine has not been available in my area, and are just now starting to arrive.
So it made me wonder is there a connection with sleep apnea and PD, and if you use a CPAP or similar device, have you seen any benefits from using it?
My pulmonologist, who I have a lot of respect for , told me that sleep apnea absolutely contributes to Parkinson's disease and, to make matters worse , PD contributes to sleep apnea, causing a viscous cycle. I've been using a cpap machine for just over a year now and my biggest benefit is that I don't pass out on the couch every evening anymore. I can not say that it is reversing the symptoms of Parkinson's. I theorize that the rate of progression will dramatically slow down though. And not to mention the damage sleep apnea does to your heart! Good luck my friend !
Would it make a difference if your levels of fitness were quite high excuse my ignorance
To the best of my knowledge , obstructive sleep apnea occurs more commonly in people that are about 20 lbs overweight or more. However, I'm not familiar with the neurogenic types of sleep apnea . Sorry.
Thanks
Where do you live that a machine is not available? That's ridiculous. Call your insurance company. They might reimburse you for getting one shipped from somewhere else . Emphasize that this is essential to your health, it absolutely is!
Have you guys heard of the new thing out for sleep apnea called Inspire? It supposed to be a lot easier and more comfortable than CPAP.
I think it's an implanted electrostimulator that contracts the obstructing tissue in the throat. I think I'll pass on that.
If you aren't using a CPAP you may not be aware of the recall on hundreds of thousands of machines in use. They are replacing machines a little more quickly now, so I am in hopes of getting my own...
WOW I was not aware of this
My husband has used a CPAP machine for a few years. I would recommend you get one. It’s dangerous for your health not to use it. When my husband was in hospital recently they asked if he’d had sleep apnea diagnosed. If not, he has it and should get it treated.
He sleeps well and never has a sleep during the day.
Good luck.
Gwendoline
I wish you could convince my husband to use a machine. He had his uvula removed several years ago and it didn't really help. He's extremely overweight has no energy. Sleep patterns are really bad. If you have any advice for me I'd appreciate it cuz he is not listening to me thank you for your help.
Would reading these comments from other members help. My husband is going through a bad patch and I’m not sure he will get through it. He stopped using the CPAP machine when he broke his wrist. They pumped him full of pain killers, which caused cognitive problems. He has had 4 delirium episodes over the past 18 months. Rereading these comments from members might inspire him to try using it again and maybe inspire your husband too.
Thanks and good luck to you and your husband.
Hubby was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 4 years ago, but he just wouldn’t wear the mask. His latest MRI showed brain shrinkage, and I saw a study that showed using a CPAP can reverse some brain shrinkage, so he’s trying much harder to use it more often the last couple of months.
sciencedaily.com/releases/2...
His cognition is definitely improved, but we’ve also changed a lot of other things recently, so can’t be sure it’s a reason.
What other things have you done recently that may have contributed to his improved cognition that you referred to?
The list is really long! Started Macuna, Excelon patch, correcting B12 and B6 deficiencies, started lithium orotate, increased b. Subtilis supplement, intense speech therapy and cognitive training and exercises. A full court press.
But the timing of his improvement did seem like the cpap was a helpful factor.
I was diagnosed with very mild sleep apnea, but the sleep neurologist recommended that I at least try the CPAP because sleep apnea can apparently make PD symptoms worse and vice versa. I was initially very resistant. It seems like sleeping was about the only pleasure I had left that had not been interfered with in some way by the PD, and I really did not want to sleep with that alien facehugger on my face. But I am glad the neurologist insisted because I got enormous benefits almost immediately. One that surprised me was a significant reduction in my blood pressure, which had been creeping up for years. I am now a firm believer. I have slept with the CPAP every night for the last two and a half years, and I don't think I could sleep without it now.
fda.gov/medical-devices/saf...
Who is the right doctor for sleep apnea diagnosis? Would/could a neurologist test for sleep apnea?
I see a pulmonologist for my obstructive sleep apnea but my neurologist does sleep medicine too. I see the cpap paraphernalia in his office when I go to my Parkinson's appointments. I like my pulmonologist better though
Bass,
Thanks, my friend! I think I will make an appointment to have my husband see either a sleep doctor or our internist.
Well after waiting almost 5 months for a CPAP machine, I am finally getting it this week, very excited!!
It has helped my REM sleep quite a bit, from 2% before up to 13% after
Confirming it's NOT PD
Sleep/head position and neurodegenerative diseases 
managing days with poor sleep.
PLEASE HELP ! HAS ANYONE TRIED MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR SLEEPING?
