Lupus and Sleep Apnea

[Louisa65]

Hi

I was diagnosed with SLE a year ago, pneumonia, pleural effusion, chest infections, coughing etc. My GP has now sent me to a sleep clinic for many years I have snored severely, thinks I am a highly positive case for sleep apnea.

Anyone else have both? Are they connected in anyway?

Kind Regards

Louisa

[Purpletop]

Anything is possible with lupus, of course but many people not suffering with lupus have sleep apnea. My husband has sleep apnea and he hasn't got lupus, for example.

[WendyClark in reply to Purpletop]

I have both sleep apnea and lupus, except in my case the sleep apnea was diagnosed first, I also have the coughing problems and frequent chest infections that were always attributed to COPD but now believed to be a result of lupus.

[happysally72]

I too have SLE and have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. I don't think it's directly related but for me personally I feel it's because I have gained weight as a result of being less mobile and being on certain medications. My consultant did say that My bmi wasn't anywhere near as high as what he usually see's in patients with sleep apnea in his clinic, so perhaps there is an element of a link, perhaps even because of having lung problems??? (I've had multiple pulmonary embolisms). Unlikely but you never know! x

[Dalilatm]

Well, I don't know if fhey are related but I've had SLE since 2001 and sleep apnea since 2009. No involvement of the lungs so far. My weight is stable (around 50kg) apart from when Im taking steroids. I don't have snoring problems, or breathing issues.

It just started one night, out of the blue. And it looks it is seasonal somehow, or comes and goes, as I have it for some time almost every night, then it just goes away. The first months I couldn't sleep at all, I had to take little naps. Now I take it more calmly.

But I can tell that I truly hate the sleep apnea, it's such a horrible thing, it feels awful.

[Dori44]

I have SLE and more plus central sleep apnea was diagnosed with that 3 years ago I have a bi-pap machine but haven't been able to afford to get the supplies for it as I haven't worked for awhile hopefully back by the end of February.

[LupusLeigh]

I too have SLE and sleep apnea. The machine will help you get better rest and feel better. This should help!