central sleep apnea

[dr tuzun]

Hi. My father, 74 years old, has been using BiPAP, for 1 year because he was diagnosed to have both obstructive but mostly central sleep apnea (after having the sleep study, polysomnography twice) . He is consulted by a cardiologist and evaluated as normal. He does not smoke, at normal weight and quite healthy, not having any other serious illnesses. He sleeps better after the use of BiPAP but his fatigue continues, especially after having mild physical effort. His neurologist did not make any other examinations except cranial MRI, which was evaluated as normal also. I have red that central apnea is a rare disease but is there any other test or examinations that we should proceed?

[prc]

I too think I have central apnea. I awake needing to expell air or I feel like I hold my breath or I think my brain forgot to breathe while i sleep. I read somewhere that premies newborns sometimes have central apnea and they are given a stimulant for the brain. Its like my brain does not send the signal to my throat to open up and let air out.  I am scared of this.  Please post if you find any aswers.