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1679858 tn?1346765181

What does sleep study reveal?



Hi,

My GP has ordered a sleep study because I've complained of fatigue.  Doctors look at me with 'that look' because nothing has shown on tests so far, and I have had many tests! Yet, I continue to slowly get stronger symptoms.  The most recent is head pressure and pain on the top of my head, especially when I awaken. I can get extremely foggy feeling. Sometimes the pressure gets better after I am up, but often, neck pain, fatigue and fogginess follow throughout the day. Fatigue is a real issue lately. Sometimes walking up stairs feels so laboured. Concentrating is difficult! Strangely, I don't have chiari headaches, just neck and upper back pain, and fog, ringing ears, fullness in ears etc. My question is: will a sleep study show csf or blood flow issues? I think there is a flow problem that, so far, has not been detected on 3-4 MRI's in the past seven years! (I also have chronic pan sinusitis with no breathing problems or allergies). I have an 11mm herniation.

Thanks for your input!
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1679858 tn?1346765181
Opps, anyway, a year went by and symptoms worsened. I awoke one morning barely able to function! Severe fog, aching down my spine, heavy legs, along with neck pain. My doctor THEN informed me that I had mild sleep apnea (a year after the diagnosis!) I now have a cpap machine which is helping (amazingly) with morning neck and head pain. It took 7 years to get this help! Cervical mri in a week.

Just wanted to share this sequence of events. Hope this helps  someone get  the right help (sooner than I did!)

<3

Just wanted to
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Hi....WOW so sorry they let you go  for a year before addressing this condition with you, sleep apnea is something we all need to be aware can be a serious issue for Chiarians .

I am glad to hear your Cpap is helping and thank you for sharing this with us as we all need to be aware of this comorbid condition.
1679858 tn?1346765181
Had the first sleep study shortly after this post. Was not informed by my doctor that I had mild sleep apnea, because nothing is done for mild! This is after being dismissed by my neurologist, because he thought ALL my symptoms were due to anxiety’s!
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Avatar universal
I was on cpap for apnea until after deompression surgery. If you consider that your cerebral tonsil are herniated, enlarged into airway if you will. I frequently had sore throats and wld lose my,voice until surgery. I was 16mm.
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Thanks. I truly think that's my issue as well! Sleep study in a couple weeks will show something, finally, I am sure!
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  That is because you are not on an incline but more of a sitting position.....if you are on an  angle and just not bent at your hips it may feel better on your back.
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620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  It could be a flow issue or excess CSF build up....POTS or ICP.

Sorry no, I have not had any of that......have you tried to sleep in a more reclined position so you are not flat? That could help.

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I do try to elevate, not very comfortable, that's for sure! My lower back will start giving me problems because of misalignment :s
1679858 tn?1346765181
Hi Selma, I hope you're well!

Well, I've seen a cardiologist in the past year -- all was fine.

Doesn't it seem like there must be a flow problem? I can't sleep flat as the head pressure is uncomfortable and I am awakened every morning lately, with pain on top of my head.  Did you ever experience strange pains on the top of your head?
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620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Sorry No...a sleep study is looking for an obstruction to breathing.....when we stop breathing during sleep it disrupts sleep and we wake and it can be multiple times in one hour which is why we are fatigued.

It sounds like something else could be going on.

Have you had a chest x-ray?
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