Do people with MS suffer from sleep apnea

[kerrtelli]

Hello,
I am posting this question because in the last few weeks i have noticed that I wake up from sleep gasping for air.
It doesn't happen every time I sleep but it happens enough for my becoming concerned.

Here is what happens.

I am sleeping (obviously) and I wake up, still feeling as if I am in a dream, and I literally cannot breath.  I start gasping for air.  For example, It feels like when you are swimming and you've gone too deep.  You start swimming towards the surface and you feel like you wont make it.

When i wake up, I feel like I am suffocating and start coughing uncontrollably for a second.  I am also feeling terror at the same time.  Then i breath, realize I am not suffocating and think, "well that was weird!"

This all started when the other symptoms surfaced.  Slowly at first but now seems to be happening a couple times a week.  It also doesn't matter whether I am sleeping deeply or just napping.

Any similar experiences.  I am still waiting to see the MS SPECIALIST and plan on adding this to the list of symptoms.  I am also realistic and know that this happens with other neurological illnesses.

I am putting it out to all of you because i know i I'll get support.

As usual thanks so much.  I look forward to hearing what you think

Kerri

[kerrtelli]

Thanks for the link.  I will definately read it.
I do think it is MS.  but since i have been waiting for the neuro
And so many people saying it could be anything, and this apnea problem rearing it's head, ALS popped into my head.  

Like i said, I am not thinking I am dying but I am definitely not unique in terms of what this could be.  I think because I connected apnea with lung capacity, etc, etc, etc.

I am sure you all understand how our minds work.  I have an acquaintance who recently lost her husband to ALS and i think I will ask her what she thinks since she has first hand experience.

Honestly if I had to bet money on what i really think this is I would put it all on MS.
Hopefully the neuro will feel the same way.

So you all think I should call my pcp for the apnea thing or should i wait to see the neuro on June 1.

Thanks

[Deb61]

I may have to have a sleep study.  I'm thinking that I may have sleep apnea because I wake up gasping for air (even when taking naps).  

Someone I work with has had menengitis and has a very serious sleep apnea problem and narcolepsy.  He stops breathing over 50 times average an hour at night!  His doctor explained that it probably has something to do with damage to his brain in the brain stem.  Which leads me to think that, yes, people with MS can be more likely to have sleep apnea--especially for those of us with brain stem lesions and relaxed muscles in the esophagus.  Do you have trouble eating/swallowing/choking?  

I'm very curious to hear what comes of this issue.  Keep us posted.
Deb

[Lulu54]

Hi Kerritelli,

NMSS puts out  a magazine, MOMENTUM, and a recent issue dedicated its cover story to sleep and MS.  There is a strong connection between the two.

You can find an online version of this issue at

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/multimedia-library/momentum-magazine/back-issues/momentum-winter-2009/index.aspx

The sleep problem and MS can turn into one vicious cycle, so you definitely want medical intervention.  

Your daughter's injury sure sounds significant. I hope she heals quickly and without any lasting damage.

Life, with or without MS, is usually full of stress.  I'm sorry it soundsa like you have more than your fair share.

As for ALS, isthere a reason why you are thinking this and not MS?  If you have ALS, you will know it very soon - it progresses rapidly.  

Lulu

[LisaJF]

I wouldn't blame you on wanting to cover all your bases.  Surely with the thought of ALS in the back of your mind, that has to be very stressful -- as you are well aware what that disease is about.  

However, I would call your primary to make the appointment asap, then tell him what is going on with the apneic episodes and that you want to do a sleep study.  Tell him to do whatever he has to do to arrange it and arrange it soon.  The earlier you do it, the better it is for you and to get treatment if that is the case.  Chronic night time hypoxia can cause you to be daytime fatigued (severely).   When you go to see him next week (which I'm hoping you can get in), ask him of your concern about ALS.  Allow him to debate with you why he feels it is "NOT" or if he thinks you have credit to worry.  Listen to even consider that type of diagnosis must be weighing heavily on your mind and heart, let alone add undo stress to your system.  Get this done and over with so you're not driving yourself nuts.

Sorry to hear about your daughter! Sheesh twenty stitches?  That's a scratch alright!

My gait gets worse as I walk too.  I tend to trip a lot when I go over curbs or a freaking piece of blade of grass. LOL! Although I am not diagnosed with MS.

Lisa

[kerrtelli]

Thanks forth support.  Wednesday my eight year old daughter got scratched by a dog at a playdate.  When I got the call from the mom i went to get her and what a scratch.  I could see the cartilidge coming out.  Her ear was actually torn.  She need about twenty stitches.  

How do people with ms stay symtptom free with constant stress?
I still have to bring my cane with me when i go out in the world.  I can get around the house and my classroom okay but it seems that when I go out and walk more than a short distance my gait gets worse.  Does this sound familiar.

I hope the doc can at least give me some indication that day.
I was wondering, without becoming an alarmist, do you know if apnea is also a symptom of ALS.  And if a so, do people with ALS have similar symptoms as PWMS.

Just trying to cover all my bases.

Thanks again.
Kerri

[LisaJF]

Sleep apnea comes in different forms.  

One is obstructive sleep apnea where your airway is obstructed via collapse of the airway or blocked during your sleep. It is most common in people who are overweight, but it does effect other people.

The second kind is central (neurological) where the information center that controls your breathing mechanism is not sending the correct signals to control your breathing muscles.

Sometimes you can have both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

I agree with jcrain, you need to inform your doctor of this so you can get a sleep study done.  Pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmias, heart failure, heart attack and diabetes can result from this if it goes untreated.

It is a condition that requires management for the long haul.

Sheesh, you have so many things going on!!!

You poor thing!

[kerrtelli]

Thanks so much.  Like I said it is not every night and started with the ms like symptoms.  I do have two MRI's that have legions indicative of demylinization but have not seen a neurologist yet. Insurance issues.  Hopefully the neuro can shed some light on this as well as everything else.

[jcrain9663]

Yes, people with MS do suffer from sleep apnea, but the problems are not necessarily related.  You symptoms do indicate a sleep study would be helpful.  Please speak to your doctor about these symptoms.  I went untreated for many years because I didn't consider the symptoms serious enough.  Eventually I became a walking zombie and caused damage to my brain from hypoxia in addition to the MS lesions.  I do feel MUCH better since diagnosis and use a cpap machine every night.