Crippled by breathing problem, positive EEG

[ill13632]

Dear Doctor,
I had a positive EEG for other convulsions after seeing flashing lights with my eyes closed.  I've been crippled by sleep apnea and take klonopin.  I get migraines rarely and vertigo.  is there another test I need?
what causes my convulsions even light?  and what can I take to breathe in my sleep instead of waking up with terrible fog, headaches, exhaustion?  I had 75% O2 on a sleep study with a central apnea.  I have 1/10 the normal stage 3 sleep at 0.5% and mixed apnea and can't sleep through the night on my asv.
THanks very much!

[ill13632]

thanks!  I've been unable to get surgery for the sleep apnea.  I had read that sometimes seizures could cause s a?

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Obstructive sleep apnea can cause headache and fatigue. This is more likely to occur in overweight people who snore but can occur in anyone. Symptoms include snoring, daytime sleepiness, lack of concentration, and headaches. Untreated, sleep apnea can cause many medical problems (e.g., hypertension), and with treatment many symptoms improve. The diagnosis is made by a sleep study, called a polysomnogram, and treatment involves a mask placed over the nose and/or mouth that is adjusted to improve ventilation during sleep.

I suggest that you follow up with your sleep doctor to discuss treatment for your sleep apnea, which may be a CPAP.

Regarding the convulsions with flashing light, it is difficult to say if this is a form of epilepsy or not. To accurately diagnose, further information is needed, such as a detail history and physical and perhaps a prolonged EEG.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.