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!!