sleep apnea

[kellybeans88]

Hi, I was diagnosed with chiari in may but for the last 5 or 6wks have been waking each night gasping for breath. It is extremely scary and it takes roughly and hour to hour 1/2 for my breathing to regulate back to normal in this time my head neck are in excruciating pain and I shake from head to toe whilst breaking out in a cold sweat. I'm now very scared to go to sleep. I've read that a large percentage of chiari patients suffer with sleep apnea and was wondering if this is what is happening to me? Should I go to the hospital? Any of your experiences  or advice would help thanks :)

[frankie_rush]

Yes I had it and panic attack with them along with PTSD.  But after surgery it hasn't happened.  So diffently let the Dr know.

[selmaS]

I hope u get the care u need...please keep us posted on how u r doing.

[kellybeans88]

Thank you Selma I've been very worried and your post has helped,
I'm in the UK and it is very hard to get in touch with my dr i am having to wait 3-4wks for just telephone appointments so the only thing i can do is go to my local accident and emergency and hope that they can help in the mean time.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum,

This does sound like it could be sleep apnea and some resolve post op from decompression surgery but in the meantime ur Dr should be made aware and u should be tested for oxygenation of ur blood and for sleep apnea...this can be done right in ur home thru a company called NovaSom....ask ur PCP about it and see if u can get the testing, and all testing should be covered by INS.

Deff call ur Dr asap and inform them of this and have them decide the best course to remedy  it.