Sleep Apnea

cbokay

It's been a while since I've posted here.  In Dec 2016 I turned 3-years NED from anal cancer.  And I hope I continue to have a clear call from my Oncologists in Feb 2017.

The reason why I'm coming here today is to ask a question or two and possibly get some feedback on a health issue I have.  In Oct 2016 I was diagnosed with moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).  And I have been using a CPAP machine since.  My AHI levels are under 1.0 and most often 0.5.  Those are very good scores.  Anything under 5.0 is.  My energy metabolism is getting better during waking hours but I have horrible sleep patterns.  I have turned from a morning owl to a graveyard shift person.  It's frustrating.  I also need to lose about 50 lbs.  I'm told apnea or lack of sleep can cause obesity.

Aside from the anal cancer and sleep apnea, my health is fairly good.  The only medication I take is Aleve for pain when I need it.  And the pain I use it for is related to the radiation treatment for the cancer.  Radiation does things to the body.

I've joined groups that support Sleep Apnea recipients and I have learned so much about OSA.  But recently I've had this revelation that the radiation treament for cancer created the apnea.  The reason why I feel this way is because my sleep is bad because of rectal and joint aches and hip aches.  And those aches were brought on by radiation.   So I toss and turn trying to get comfortable from discomfort and, voila! irradict sleep patterns.

Has anybody else experienced sleep problems related to treatment for anal cancer?

Best wishes to Everyone in the New Year 2017.

Carol 

qv62

cbokay

HI Carol, I too have sleep apnea and terrible sleepless nights. I actually had the apnea before treatment and never went on the cpap but am seriously considering it now. I am lucky if I get 4-5 hours of sleep on a good night. I took 2 Melatonin last  night and was still up most of the night, I haven't really found them helpful. My real restless nights have been post treatment and the only thing that seems to give me a good night sleep is Ambien. I try not to take it more that twice a week but when I do it is very effective. Wishing you a god night sleep !

 

 

cbokay

Sleep Apnea & Cancer

Hi qv62.  Thank you for taking an interest in this subject matter.  It's so difficult to find people who have a relationsip with cancer and sleep apnea.  I'm not 100% on whether one causes the other, but I'm not going to dismiss that possibility yet.  I know that sleep apnea can cause sudden death, heart disease, obesity, and stroke.  I don't know if sleep problems cause cancer.  I do know that lack of sleep can cause all types of mental health issues that can weaken our defenses. I also know this health issue needs much more public attention through the media.  People need to be informed about the 'what-ifs" of sleep health issues.

I did a home study test in October 2016.  That study revealed I had 74 events (AHI) where I either stopped breathing for up to 10 seconds are I had shallow breathing.  Since starting CPAP therapy my events have gone way down.  In fact last night, I used the machine for 7 hours and 32 minutes and had zero events.  Needless to say, I am thrilled with that score.

Please arrange for a sleep study soon.  Also here are two very good sites you may want to join.  I've learned so much at these sites from people who have lengthy conversations about their experiences with equipment and care. And every day you find some one who can help you or who you can help. 

 

CPAP Therapy

https://www.facebook.com/groups/cpaptherapy/ 

Apnea Board

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/index.php

NOTE:  I forgot to mention, CPAP has not helped me sleep better.  I have gone from a day person to a grave yard person.  And I snooze a lot. Last night I used the machine for 7 hrs 32 min but I didn't sleep all that time.  I am so fed up with this I could cry.  I can't plan daily events because that is when I want to fall asleep.  So the problem is really big for me.  I will see a sleep doctor when his office decides to call me in from the referral from my new GP.  I understand the sleep doctor's office is greatly lacking in communication.  (deep sigh)

Phoebesnow

Sleep

i think we all have trouble sleeping post treatment.    I use trazadone and I am very happy With it.  Ambien was to strong. I am six years out and I am finally seeing improvement in my sleep...six years out.   

cbokay

Phoebesnow

Six years ... Wow.  I know about Ambien but not Trazadone.  I'll look it up.  Thanks for your reply.

qv62

cbokay

thanks for the good info, I will check out the links. I did the sleep study years ago and just never went through getting the cpap due to dsliking the issues at the doctors office. I wound up having too many out of pocket expenses and just gave up but I will revisit the topic.

 

lp1964

Dear Friend,

I am a dentist who regularly treats patients with mild and miof sleep apnea using a special mouth piece. Sleep apnea most of the time has to do with your nasal and oral anatomy. When we fall asleep our muscles lose their tonality and the air way collapses. The brain has to wake up to regain the muscle tone to open up the air way. This can happen hundreds of times a night without you being conscious about it. During sleep our body should get rid of mental and physical "trash" therefore if you cannot sleep well you will accumulate theses poisons causing all kinds of degenerative diseases such as : heart disease, stroke, cancer, unexplainad weight gain, diabetes, premature birth etc. 

Severe sleep apnea is treated with CPAP machine, moderate and mild with a mouthpiece that pulls the lower jaw and the tongue forward to open up the airway. 

Laz

mp327

cbokay

My husband uses a mouthpiece, as Laz has suggested, and has for years.  It seems to work and he has avoided having to use a CPAP machine.  I have a hard time believing that pelvic radiation treatment could cause a person to have sleep apnea, but I guess it's possible.

qv62

mouthpiece

Thanks Martha & Laz for the info on the mouthpiece, I wasn't aware it existed. I had sleep apnea prrior to treatment, I will look into this for sure.

mp327

qv62 said:

mouthpiece

Thanks Martha & Laz for the info on the mouthpiece, I wasn't aware it existed. I had sleep apnea prrior to treatment, I will look into this for sure.

qv62

My husband got his from his dentist, so that might be a good place to start in getting one.  Good luck--I hope this will be a non-invasive and less expensive solution for you!

cbokay

Laz

Why are you telling me what I already know?  I've been using CPAP therapy for one month now and I'm adjusting fairly well.  I've also done some further research since I posted my first message above and discovered I didn't ask the question right when I started researching.  There are several variables involved with sleep disorders, and none that I have read yet, point to cancer as being a culprit that may cause sleep apnea.  I've been pinpointing when I first noticed my sleeping habits were changing.  And long story short, they started after June or July 2015 when I would wake at various hours in pain from the bone joint aches and severe rectal pain.  Thanks for your input.

cbokay

mp327 said:

cbokay

My husband uses a mouthpiece, as Laz has suggested, and has for years.  It seems to work and he has avoided having to use a CPAP machine.  I have a hard time believing that pelvic radiation treatment could cause a person to have sleep apnea, but I guess it's possible.

mp327

Radiation casues pain which interfers with sleep.  That's the best I can explain it.  It happened to me.

cbokay

lp1964 said:

Dear Friend,

I am a dentist who regularly treats patients with mild and miof sleep apnea using a special mouth piece. Sleep apnea most of the time has to do with your nasal and oral anatomy. When we fall asleep our muscles lose their tonality and the air way collapses. The brain has to wake up to regain the muscle tone to open up the air way. This can happen hundreds of times a night without you being conscious about it. During sleep our body should get rid of mental and physical "trash" therefore if you cannot sleep well you will accumulate theses poisons causing all kinds of degenerative diseases such as : heart disease, stroke, cancer, unexplainad weight gain, diabetes, premature birth etc. 

Severe sleep apnea is treated with CPAP machine, moderate and mild with a mouthpiece that pulls the lower jaw and the tongue forward to open up the airway. 

Laz

"Severe sleep apnea is

"Severe sleep apnea is treated with CPAP machine, moderate and mild with a mouthpiece that pulls the lower jaw and the tongue forward to open up the airway."

I've heard pros and cons about this, but I choose CPAP therapy.  I fear stroke more than anything: more than cancer.