My husband is 3 months out of treatment and a few weeks ago I noticed his strange breathing patterns at night. He was doing a lot of snoring and strange sounds that he never did before treatment. Now, the snoring is less but it seems like he might have sleep apnea or something else going on. He seems to be trying to take breaths coming from his stomach and his chest doesn't seem to move and then he takes big breaths with a lot of chest movement like he is trying to catch his breath and is winded. This movement seems to wake him a bit, he will move or try to say something and then the pattern repeats. I have him scheduled for a sleep consult but the soonest is Aug 15 I could get an appointment. His father suffered from sleep apnea. He can fall alseep at the drop of a hat and is seems extrememly tired at times. I know this is a result of radiation the fatigue but I wonder if the there is sleep apena going on that can cause you to not feel rested. Has anyone else had this problem or conerns?

Hi, sleep apnoea definitely makes you feel tired. This is because the sufferer does not get good sleep due to constant startling awake when they do not breathe. Daytime tiredness and sleepiness is a hallmark of sleep apnoea.
You have done the right thing in setting up an appointment for sleep studies.
This is also pretty disconcerting for the sleep apnoeas bed partner.
Thinking of you both,Tammy.

terrib
goodness yes!! Alex was not a snorer BC (except when he partook of a few too many drinks) so this was quite unnerving.

I would lie awake at night trying to characterise what was going on so I could tell the doctor. I remember counting the number of breaths before he stopped all together. His chest would sort of hiccup when he wasn't breathing just before a big noisy gasp which would start the cycle all over again. On the nights I paid attention, it was 4 breaths then a "non breath/gasp" followed by another 4 breaths. This went on for about 20 minutes and then it went to 5 breaths before the "non breath/gasp" for about 15, then 6 breaths and so on. I often fell asleep myself whilst listening to him but I also began giving him an hour or two in bed by himself by which time it had settled down.

Then one day I realised it had stopped. He doesn't do it anymore. Trying to remember when it stopped... I remember counting his breaths in October, 2 months out of treatment to tell the doctor in November. By the February check up there was nothing to report so it stopped somewhere between 3 and 6 months from the end of treatment.

Possibly related to swelling? Or mucous post treatment?

I was able to schedule a sleep consult but not until Aug 15th. It has become a lot worse!!!! It will be a long month, I have timed my husband not breathing at night for over 30 seconds. He didn't think he had a problem but now is realizing how tired he is during the day from lack of quality sleep. Went for a drive at 8:30 pm and he started falling asleep 4 times on the short way home. This morning he started to doze at a red light and realized all the cars in front of him had gone thru the intersection. It scares me to see him go without breathing and then take such huge breaths. One evening while sitting in the recliner dozing he kept startling himself awake. Told me he just couldn't stay awake. I told him he was waking himself up because he was struggling to breathe. Hope we get it figured out soon!!

Maybe there is some way the sleep consult could be moved up much sooner? Especially if you can impress on the doctor's office how it has gotten so much worse. Even if you have to cry a little, they may find a way to get your husband in sooner than Aug. 15th. I can remember being so scared when my son was recovering and sleeping so much - I kept checking on him every few minutes to see if he was still breathing. I do hope something can be done soon for your husband. It has to be affecting your sleep, too.

Yes, I have tried to find an earlier appointment and expressed my concerns about falling asleep while driving but no luck. After called to check if they have had any cancellations too. Yes, I definitely am loosing sleep but luckily he can fall asleep in a matter of seconds almost anytime of the day or night. No sleepless night for him.

Hi Terri, this definitely sounds like sleep apnoea to me.
Did he have any of these signs prior to his treatment?
Do you think that there is still some neck / throat swelling from his treatment. Sleep apnoea usually affects the overweight and those with thick necks. If it helps your worry remember that he will keep breathing. Once the carbon dioxide levels in his blood get to a certain level he will breathe.
Wishing you a good nights sleep,
Tammy

Never had issues till the last 5-6 weeks and definitely not overweight anymore after a 40 pound weight loss. His lymphedemia is definitely worse the last month and a half and he has been working on that but we have been told withthe warmer weather it can be effected. Tring a new therapist who is qualified to do the tape that has been recently discussed in the forums.

Why not go to the ER?

I agree with David, why not try the E.R. ?

If it's not sleep apnea, it could be narcolepsy (sp ?).
I wouldn't wait until a sleep study several weeks away.
just my 2 cents.

Your husband�s airways might be scarred & damaged from surgery or radiotherapy.(depending where the radiotherapy was aimed) The after effects of those treatments can cause breathing and swallowing issues. Scarred airways also create concerns for anesthetists when planning future surgeries. I sleep with my head elevated. Sleeping elevated helps with breathing and swelling after surgery and/or radiotherapy treatments.

Karen

Yes, I think the sleep apnea is a result of radiation. His radiation was aimed at his throat since the cancer was on his vocal cord. I have found a list of exerices to do that might help. (As if he doesn't have enough to do with swallowing exercises, neck stretches, lymphadema therapy, and speech therapy!!!) Right now he is napping on the couch and it is so sad to see him not breathing and so restless, definitely not quality sleep that can't be good for his immune system to be so run down. Thankfully everything else is going really well being 3 1/2 months out of treatment.

The last week had a few terrible nights. Actually called the ER and they said to bring him in, of course he refused. Told him if he didn't see his doctor the next day I'd call 911 that night. Didn't want to see him taking 4 big breaths and then nothing for 40 seconds. This went on for hours. The doctor visit didn't help, he said no one ever died of sleep apnea. Luckily I was able to get the clinic to waive the first consult and was able to get an overnight study for tonight because they had a cancelation. I guess it just takes 6 times of no breathing in a hour to meet the criteria and they will come in and put a mask on. (He was not breathing 60 times a hour so no problem.) So, we had 3 more nights to get through. Before bed I found him messing with a extension cord, was going to try to hang a small fan in front of his face. I told him it was too small. When I came to bed he was laying on his side with a fan right in his face on the nightstand. Seemed to really help. Not near as many episodes, had to tell him back on his side a few times when he rolled over. I was relieved after being awake so much the last week. One problem though, he is suppose to wear the head gear for his lymphedema at night and it keeps his mouth closed. Wore it last night and his breathing was not too good through his nose. Will have to see how they can remedy wearing both at the same time. Just glad we aren't waiting for the consult on Aug 15th.

My goodness,- I'm glad you got the appointment moved up but that doctor who said "no one ever died of sleep apnea" doesn't sound like the sensitive type. And it's good that the fan seemed to help. During my son's Tx for a time, he slept better with his head elevated in a recliner. Sometimes we have to try different things before finding something that works. For breathing through the nose, don't know is this would help, but what about those "BreatheRight" nasal strips? They look like a band aid and fit over the bridge of the nose attaching on either side. They really help to widen the opening of the nasal passages and allow for easier breathing through the nose. Hope everything goes well with your husbands overnight study.

Terrib,

Slap your stupid Dr upside the head and tell him he's a F'n retard.According to the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research, approximately 38,000 deaths occur on an annual basis that relate to cardiovascular problems that in one way or another are connected to sleep apnea. These problems include high blood pressure, hypertension and stroke, among others. Most famously it's believed hall of fame football player and Green Bay Packer legend, Reggie White's death was linked to his sleep apnea.

There was also just a study that was published recently that showed a higher cancer mortality rate for people who suffer from sleep apnea. It's nothing to take lightly and the fact that this Dr did is pretty telling, especially if your husband is on an opiate pain medication as it depresses the central nervous system which slows the cardio vascular system. The combination of an opiate and anything else that will slow the cardio vascular system can be deadly...mixing oxy or hydro's and alcohol is attributed to many deaths.

If he's suffering from sleep apnea and is on anything else that would slow his breathing I'd be concerned so look at the side effects of any Rx or OTC meds he's taking just to be safe.

Keep your chin up and slap that Dr.

Eric

Husband passed the test for sleep apnea with flying colors!! Last night it didn't take long to confirn he had sleep apnea and that his oxygen levels were dropping to 60 and they said at 80 they give oxygen. I had the "told you so" attitude!!! I wasn't so off base trying to get him to go to emergency last week with only 4 breaths a minute and not breathing 60 times in a hour for about 30-40 seconds each time. Funny though, they sent him home this morning and the doctor will call in a couple days and then a few days to get a CPAP approved through insurance and assign a provider for the equipment. I hope the next few nights aren't as bad as some were. They were amazed he has able to function during the day and not dead tired. He has been working full-time but does crash when he sits for any lengh of time. His compression garment for lymphedema definitely makes air flow worse so I guess he'll have to try to wear it more during the evening and early morning. They did say his allergies may have played a part in having it progress so much in the last week so hopefully this may not be a year round problem. Glad I was able to find a cancellation rather than dealing with this not for a few more weeks when I was first scheduled an appointment.

I'm sure glad your husband finally had the sleep apnea test! Just waiting and wondering how the next few nights will be has got to be stressful for you and rough on your husband with his working full time. Did the doctor give a reason as to why it has to be another couple of days? Wouldn't the urgency of the situation be reason enough to put a rush on getting the equipment and provider? I would keep on that Dr and not wait around for him to get things moving. Good for you for getting your husband to the emergency room and pushing for the apnea test. I love that you gave him your "told you so" attitude!

Breathing easy tonight, I hope!! The CPAP machine finally arrived and my husband will be using it tonight. Finally we will both get a good night's sleep. Even after the sleep study I have had to see him going wihout breathing way too long. 4 big breaths and then nothing for 30-40 seconds. His oxygen levels were done to 60 during the test and they give oxygen in hospital settings when it drops below 80. Can't for the life of me figure out why it doesn't matter for him to go without. No wonder he is so tired all the time and can fall asleep in a matter of seconds day or night. I'll post again and let you know how it goes tonight.

Well the night went fairly well. I think he woke up at 4 with a leek in the mask and it had fallen off. It took him a bit to get the machine turned off being the middle of the night but put it back on and slept till morning. It is strange the pressure that is there when he first gets in on, I can see why many people can never get used to it. I am going to give it a try to know what it feels like. The problem though this morning was he woke up and it looked like someone had inflated his neck. His lymphedema was so much worse and especially on his good side. Don't know what the connection is but hope it won't get worse tonight. His taste is off today after being almost back to normal and he says he has sores like little cuts on his tongue so back to the soda and salt.

I am really hoping the apnea won't be here forever even though they say it doesn't usually go away. If it could come on so quick, why can't it go away. I feel it might be either a result of radiation and with exercise to strengthen the muscles it could improve or a result of lymphedema or one doctor said maybe because of his hayfever allergies being back this time of the year that could add to the problem. I am not willing to add this to the new list of normals just yet!!