Partial Sleep Apnea?

  : : I have recently had a sleep study and a nap study.  Since I have not had a consult with the doctor
  : : yet I am curious as to something that the Tech said.  She stated that I had sleep apnea but I didn't.
  : : She said that at times during the night I did and others I didn't.  She classified it as moderate and
  : : recommended that I stay for the nap study.  It's was not bad enough to require being put on CPAP during
  : : the night.  My question is:  What is the probable course of treatment for
  : : someone who is having sleep apnea at times?  My children say that I awake them snoring at times and
  : : at other times that I do not snore at all.  Why would this happen?  I have a seizure disorder or it could be
  : : epilepsy and am also hypothyroid.  Could this all be linked with the sleep apnea?  I do know that they did
  : : bloodwork checking for thyroid problems before the sleep study.  Why?  Thank you.
  :

[CCF Neuro[P] MD RPS]

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Dear Cathy:
What it sounds like is that your have a small pharynx, the back portion of your mouth/throat.  But, I would let your physician verify the observation.  If that is the case then you may need surgery to make that opening larger.  You shouldn't have any major effects on your swallowing or ability to speak.  But don't think that surgery is the only option.  Depending on what the sleep study shows, a trial of CPAP may be the solution.  The balance issue was only during emotional times and connected with daytime sleepiness and early onset REM the diagnosis of narcolepsy might be entertained.  If you have balance problems all the time then this diagnosis would be less of a probability.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro[P] MD