CPAP helpful?

[parknew]

Newly diagnosed Parkinsons, tremor since 2018.

neurologist says that sleep apnea machine is very important after my sleep study

does anyone have examples of disease progression being slowed or any symptoms being relieved by moving to a sleep apnea machine?

[MarionP]

I've had the same comment and emphatic recommendation from my neurologist for what I suspect would be the same reason, many recorded dips of oxygen saturation below certain critical levels each hour during an overnight recorded sleep monitoring session (wasn't an actual sleep study with all the other things they measured during a sleep study).

Even without PD, apnea does need treatment on its own merit, having more to do with risk of accumulated dementia and heart disease and other associated risks, as far as I can tell.

Today there is an alternative to having a CPAP machine, it is the implant that puts a device in your chest. And there is also the potential, I don't know if it works or if the idea is controversial, I would guess controversial, of the use of assorted special pillows to address (not sure if the word "treat" applies) apnea.

[busters_dad]

As MarionP stated, sleep apnea is damaging to the brain no matter what. But I will add that the implant for sleep apnea only treats obstructive apnea. The other form of apnea is Central Sleep Apnea, which is where the brain signaling the diaphragm to breath is faulty. This can only be treated with a cpap machine designed for that purpose.

[Henk6]

study ketogenic lifestyle, should help with Apnea . The lifestyle is a must for all PwP . Good luck , stay curious .

[hmm777]

Yes, the CPAP has made a huge difference for me. It's one of the four things that have actually helped: exercise, levodopa, hormone replacement therapy, and the CPAP.

[Tumerictime in reply to hmm777]

what is hormone replacement therapy and how does it help?

[hmm777 in reply to Tumerictime]

Here's a thread I posted about that a few years ago:

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

[bassofspades]

Sleep Apnea is a silent killer. It wreaks havoc on your heart and brain. This is why married people live longer (or does it just seem longer?? 😂) Spouses report snoring leading to OSA diagnosis. I have been on CPAP for a couple of years now and it has made a huge difference in many aspects of the quality of my life. The only downside is it's miserably uncomfortable to sleep with, hoses and things strapped to your face. I wish there was an easier way, but it is totally worth it. As far as directly affecting PD progression, Im not sure how much because I do so many other things, but it certainly is doing something good. I do enjoy watching movies to the end like I never did before, and re-watching all the ones I fell asleep watching!

My pulmonologist got me all set up with my Sleep Apnea diagnosis and CPAP therapy. I have seen and even worked along side many very brilliant doctors, but this guy is the smartest of all the doctors I have ever known. Dr Dany Obeid is his name. He's in Daytona Beach, Florida if youre interested. He educated me on so many things. Like, did you know that Parkinsons can cause a neurogenic form of sleep apnea due to the impact of the disease affecting breathing control during sleep? And, sleep apnea can be a contributing factor to PD! There's a connection in there somewhere. 20 to 70% of PWP have sleep apnea, while the rest of the general population its only 2-14%. or something like that.

Bottom line is, do yourself a favor and be diligent with sleep apnea therapy (CPAP), etc.

[RTT1961]

Hi.

I have sleep apnea using a CPAP machine for about 10 years and was diagnosed with Parkinson´s 2 years ago.

i definitely recommend you to use a CPAP.

In my case it helped me reduce sleep fragmentation caused by Parkinsons. I confirmed this recently as I got an allergy that made very unconfortabale to use the CPAP´s mask and in the days I couldn´t use it my sleep fragmentation sky rocketed. As soon as allergy faded and could use the mask again my sleep improoved noticeably,

Hope it helps