We use cookies and other tools to enhance your experience on our website and to analyze our web traffic.
For more information about these cookies and the data collected, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Sleep Apnea tied to Statins?

1 post
Was this reply useful? Learn more...
   
[-]
Maw2012 +0 points · about 6 years ago Original Poster

I am a 59 year old female, average weight, & was diagnosed with sleep apnea a year ago. I have been using a CPAP since. About 4 months ago, I stopped using statins (after 30 years of being on them), and found it immediately improved my sleep significantly. I even stopped using the CPAP, and my sleep is better than it’s been in decades. I’m wondering if the statins CAUSED my sleep apnea, and whether ceasing statins has possibly cured my sleep apnea. Have there been any studies linking statins and sleep apnea as a side effect?

113 posts
bio
Was this reply useful? Learn more...
   
[-]
snuzyQ +0 points · about 6 years ago Sleep Commentator

I see some concerns here. Did you first get your doctor's advise before you stopped using statins and before you stopped using your CPAP? Here's the problem...you may feel as though your sleep is better than it's been in decades, but without a sleep test there's really no way to be sure about that. Have you had a sleep test to confirm your feelings? There's a multitude of research linking sleep apnea with heart disease and tons of studies about the benefits of using prescribed statins to improve outcomes in heart disease. You could check online with www.drugs.com to discover the side effects of the different statins. I have never seen "sleep apnea" listed as a side effect of any of the statins. If studies have been done that link the two, you can bet your patutti that sleep apnea would show up as a listed side effect. Please carefully consider the issues here. It's possible that you are putting your health in double jeopardy by quitting your statins and by quitting your CPAP treatment.

I'm 66 years old, female and have heart disease, likely caused by years of undiagnosed sleep apnea. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2012 and have been using CPAP ever since. I have been prescribed statins and take them gladly. Sometimes my sleep isn't as good as I'd like and I've found that this is usually because I've become lazy about changing out my filters and cleaning/replacing my nasal pillows and hose regularly. Once I take care of it, I'm back to sleeping like a baby again. I love my CPAP and can't imagine sleeping any other way now. My hubby and I are "Duelies"...we've both been on CPAP for 6 years. Good luck to you and take care.

Please be advised that these posts may contain sensitive material or unsolicited medical advice. MyApnea does not endorse the content of these posts. The information provided on this site is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for advice from a health care professional who has evaluated you.