Sleep apnoea

[PinkNinja]

A friend of a friend wrote this article for the Guardian and I thought some of you may be interested. It seems to be something that can be associated with hypothyroidism so it is kind of relevant

theguardian.com/lifeandstyl...

Carolyn x

[vajra]

Thanks Carolyn. Sleep apnoea seems to be more and more common - much like hypothyroidism. I've seen some gain significantly through using the breathing aids that are about these days - but had wondered if it wasn't perhaps linked to metabolic/hormonal issues.

Some recent progresss i've seen might suggest that it could be. Apart from improvements in stamina, wellness, energy, muscle tone, weight loss and improved control of blood pressure i've seen a big improvement in my rest and am no longer aware of any breathing issue (while never tested for or diagnosed with sleep apnoea i was snoring badly - and waking at night finding myself need to grab a breath - as though i'd stopped breathing) - it seems since starting down the road outlined in this piece: medicinegarden.com/2011/02/....

The reason for addressing the cortisol was that (a) my symptoms fitted those described, (b) testing confirmed that my levels were high all day and at least to late evening, and (c) that no amount of tuning the thyroid replacement seemed to eliminate residual blood pressure and low stamina issues.

High cortisol tends to loss of muscle tone, and to weight gain and high blood pressure. It also causes poor rest/easy waking if it continues in the sleeping hours. I've described the approach and sources of information in more detail elsewhere, and am in addition taking a little melatonin at night since it's said to counter high cortisol.

I've no idea if the improvement will be sustained, but guess i'm wondering if loss of muscle tone in the throat and perhaps some interference with the autonomic breathing/blood oxygen response as a result of the high cortisol might not have been contributing to the apnoea/breathing issue...

ian

[PinkNinja in reply to vajra]

I'm pleased you've found some ways to improve this. I do think there is some link to metabolic/hormonal issues. A few members on here actually had their hypothyroidism diagnosed by a sleep specialist that they saw about their sleep apnoea, so it does seem likely. Adrenals issues make sense too.

I hope your improvements continue

Carolyn x

[vajra]

Thanks Carolyn. It's certainly a complex topic, but disturbances in the normal daily/diurnal cycle of cortisol levels (especially if it doesn't fall back before bed at night) can be highly disruptive of sleep, and can mess with the programming of the sleep cycle - and contribute to sleep apnoea.

As can it seems high or low thyroid, shift work, or poor sleeping habits - irregular bedtimes/sleeping hours, exposure to strong light in the hours before bed, too much stimulation (computer/TV or whatever) before bed, and simple sleep deprivation.

These factors are as usual all interdependent and self reinforcing I think - disturbance of one tends to cause/worsen the others and vice versa. My personal feeling is that disturbed/improper/poor quality sleep is likely a much bigger factor in metabolic illness than is often understood - and that it in turn often originates from chronic (and often unnoticed) stress and raised cortisol levels at night.

Our natural predispositions may be a factor too - even back when I was healthy in the early 80s I really struggled with disturbed sleep when working shifts for a while. I was always more edgy/hyper vigilant too - although not aware of being stressed per se. Others seemed to have much more robustly controlled sleep cycles, and to be much more relaxed.

Until recently I was sleeping badly, and had been for many years. Dropping into this 'dead zone' before bed - low energy but 'wired' at the same time, and lacking the normal rather pleasant and fuzzy sleepiness. With a tendency to easily get sucked into working very late instead of heading for bed. Then not waking in the night, but sleeping very shallowly and waking dead tired in the morning - taking ages to get going after getting up.

This despite stuff like regular meditation, avoidance of problem foods, taking supplements, what I though was pretty good thyroid replacement, walking etc. - something still wasn't right.

The three recent changes have been better control of my (chronically high) cortisol levels (explained in previous posts), low dose melatonin before bed, and an increase in the proportion of T3 taken (more T3 but less T4 = similar total dose) from a few months ago.

It's hard to know exactly how the various bits have contributed, and there may be a strongly holistic dimension to it all (that other stuff is clicking back in) in that it feels like there's an ongoing improvement under way.

The extra T3 and control of the cortisol produced a huge improvement in gut function, energy and general well being. My blood pressure is under much better control - albeit still taking the pills. It feels like the melatonin and a bit more awareness of the need for regular hours is helping me to wake up feeling much more rested these days.

I've been working to saw up a fallen tree for the past several days, and not being used to heavy work i was dead tired and my arms were leaden after the first day. The experience of years suggested that this would have required a week's recovery to get to be able to work comfortably again, but lo and behold i was in pretty good shape again the following morning. Something has definitely clicked.....

Here's hoping the improvement won't be lost - whatever the cause.

Pardon the length, just trying to paint a picture for those interested of how so many factors seem to be in play, and of how what might seem like a relatively minor few steps/fine tunings have contributed so much...

ian

[PinkNinja in reply to vajra]

Thanks for all the info. Glad you're improving

[Marz]

...I can't help thinking that an inflamed thyroid is a swollen thyroid and will automatically put pressure on the wind-pipe and cause the sleep apnoea. Often the tongue can be swollen in Hypothyroidism too which when relaxed in the mouth could also be a problem. Is the lady in the picture the friend of your friend who wrote the article ? Can't help thinking she looks Hypo.....sorry - it's just a feeling I have....but of course I could be wrong....

[PinkNinja in reply to Marz]

Yes, I believe that is her in the picture and I have to agree that she does look like she might possibly be hypothyroid. I have mentioned it in a comment to my friend, and now to her, that some people who are diagnosed with sleep apnoea are later diagnosed with hypothyroidism too. We have had a couple of members on here who were actually diagnosed hypothyroid by their sleep specialist after their GP told them it's not their thyroid. I mentioned that too and also told her I linked to her article here because of the connection between the two.

Sometimes sleep apnoea isn't caused by hypothyroidism but does present like it, including the weight gain due to the strain on the adrenals (I think, I'm a little confused at this point). She does state how much better she is feeling since getting treatment. Hopefully she will make a full recovery and her thyroid turns out to be fine. I wouldn't wish this thyroid malarkey on anyone!

[Marz in reply to PinkNinja]

...nothing like a good nights sleep for feeling good ! So pleased she is feeling better. Still feel that like so many conditions - known to people here - the symptoms are dealt with but not the underlying cause. Of course it would be wonderful if thyroid is not in the equation. Also hope she does not have thyroid blood tests which are then declared 'normal '....or they don't test for anti-bodies as her TSH is in range....and so another few years slip by.....

[0Daisy0]

I'm only recently diagnosed hypothyroid (9 weeks) but I had become quite ill and my TSH was >100. One of my scariest symptoms was sleep apnoea (not diagnosed but husband very worried by me stopping breathing (and dreadful snoring!!)) and me very distressed by waking up feeling I'd almost died. My throat felt blocked when I lay down, my tongue felt enlarged...

Anyway I had no idea this was linked to thyroid problems but shortly after being started on Levo I felt I was sleeping better and my husband says I am now quiet as a mouse. I haven't woken up in a breathless panic since.

It's early days but I never expected such an outcome - it is one less worry for the moment.

[PinkNinja in reply to 0Daisy0]

That is good news! It is frightening when you wake up gasping for breath. It happened to me a few times when I was at my worst. I was never diagnosed with sleep apnoea but, luckily, I haven't had that happen since I am feeling well.

Glad you are starting to get better

[0Daisy0 in reply to PinkNinja]

Thanks! I feel both very fortunate and very stupid - I will never ignore my health again - no matter what else is going on in life!

Thanks again to you & all the administrators for all your help, support & advice on this forum

[PinkNinja in reply to 0Daisy0]

It's not just us administrators. We are lucky enough to have a lot of very supportive and knowledgeable members. This is a lovely community and that's down to members like yourself.

I hope your health continues to improve

Carolyn x