Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

chiri and sleep apnea

I am new to the forum and was wondering if others who are dealing with both are finding help from doctors or even C-Pap?  I have sleep apnea and Chiari 1.  I have had them both for many years but the doctors I have seen in the past seem to be trying to help, but are not having any luck with finding a reason.  I have been told about the surgerys for both and neither sound to thrilling.  Any help would be greatly appreaciated.
12 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
555358 tn?1292532061
I'm feeling generally okay, but I still have this cough. I'm going to have to schedule an appt with my PCP pretty soon if it doesn't clear up.

Yeah, In fact, I'm chatting with Lovemygirls as I type this. She's been having a constant headache for several days.

Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi Shane...sorry u have a cough, most likely related to a cold...hope u feel better and can get ur test done.

How have u been overall?..
......have u talked with Lovemygirls2 ....if so how is she doing?

"selma"

Helpful - 0
555358 tn?1292532061
I wasn't able to do the sleep apnea test. I have a cough, so it's been rescheduled.

Not sure if the sleep apnea is related to the Chiari - I wouldn't be surprised though. It seems to show up fairly often in Chiari patients, so who knows.
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
Did they say what causes the sleep apnea?I know it is common in chiari sufferers, but wonder if they attribute it to ur chiari?

I pray all goes well Thurs and u r back to a restful nights sleep.

"selma"
Helpful - 0
555358 tn?1292532061
I went and had the sleep apnea test and it came back that I stop breathing 40 times an hour and my O2 level got down to 69%.

I go back Thursday night sp they can regulate the c-pap thing to my specs.
Helpful - 0
765775 tn?1366024691
I also have episodes of sleep paralasis which are no fun. If anyone have had these on here let's exchange notes.
Helpful - 0
765775 tn?1366024691
I have sleep apnea. I had the surgery in 2005. I had a deviated septum, my tonsils removed and my uvual taken out all at the same time. It was like getting hit in the face by a big truck. After the surgery, my snoring and apnea went away. I then gained some extra weight and it returned. I was sent for antoher sleep study and was put on a CPAP.
I use my CPAP everyday. I could not get any sleep without it. They have so many new and smaller units on the market today as well as more comfortable masks, (I use the nasal cannula) that you can sleep comfortably.

If you can tolerate the CPAP it is not necessary to get the surgery. You are from Philly and I am from NJ. My doctor is Dr. Eric Joseph from West Orange, NJ. He is great. It may be worth it to make the short trip to see him.

Good Luck!
Helpful - 0
736529 tn?1233080422
I have sleep apnea and was tested at a sleep center. I use a c-pap machine and it controls the apnea.
I am still very sleepy during the day and have hyper-somnia (excessive daytime sleepyness) So while the apnea is under control, I still suffer.
The sleep center doctors handle all of this for me, not my regular doctor,
Do you go to a sleep center?

I have Chiari 11mm but the NS never says anthing about the coralation.

It sounds like you need a new doctor or a second opinion.
So many doctors dont understand chiari, you have to keep searching until you find one that does.
It took me 10 years and 6 Neuro Surgeons to find 1 that understood Chiari

I hope this helps some

Dee Dee
Helpful - 0
555358 tn?1292532061
I have an appointment with a doctor tommorow about sleep apnea. I'm just meeting with him and discussing things tommorow. Then he'll probably set up a test date.
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi...I believe the sleep apnea to be connected to ur chiari....u would not get chiari from sleep apnea.

I went to NS in Philly and did not have a good result,the NS's there r not chiari specialists and when u have chiari that is what u need.

The Chiari Insitute in NYC is a better place to go.
U deff need to get another MRI...they should be done annually to check to see if it is getting larger.
DO not let this go...please get a MRIw/wo contrast...ask for copies of the MRI and the report.....the results will guide ur next steps.

I am not trying to scare u but inform u what might happen if u let this go with out monitoring it u could have paralasis and that can lead to perm damage.Also drs that do not understand chiari and it's treatment will not inform u of the follow ups.

I am sure when some of the other members pop in they will offer some suggestions .
Please read the Welcome message at the top of this page it will explain what chiari is and it has links to our health pages that has even more info.

Godspeed
"selma"
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I only had one MRI and it was about 7 years ago.  At that time they told me not to worry about it, because I do not have  the harsh systems for it.  The only problem I have is when I laugh or strain too much, I get light headed and if it persists I black out.  I still have no other problems that I know of.   The Sleep Apnea I believe is related to it or Chiari is related to SA.  I am hoping this forum can give me some insight into the problems I may have in the future.  
I live in the South New Jersey area, and have seen doctors in Philadelphia and NJ.
My present is Dr.Kass, he is a sleep specialist at the Cooper Medical center in Voorhees.
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
HI and Welcome.

Sorry u too r dealing with this...I have been to a sleep clinic to be checked, but the dr was interested in rxxing meds....never tested for apnea.I do know others with chiari that use the c-pap.

May I ask how often u have MRI's to check on ur chiari?

The one thing I have learned is u need a chiari specialist...ne NS can treat u and do the surgery, but an expert is needed.

Let us know what area u live in and we can try to list some names of drs for u to research.Most of us do not live closse to the specialist and we need to travel so know that may b the case for u as well.

The members here r great....well informed and willing to offer support.

I am sure one of the other members that has had the apnea dx will pop on and share their experience.

I look forward to getting to know u thru the forum.

Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Chiari Malformation Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease