I am actually starting this topic to update a member on this forum : @Southafrican
The previous thread has been locked and just wanted to share a small update.
So I've been having some onset apnea issues back in April-May. I would be drifting off and still partially awake enough to notice I've stopped breathing and I'd wake up to breathe. The biggest issue is that I wasn't asleep yet and I'd have to restart the whole sleep process. This could lead to not being able to sleep for 5-6 hours after I'd planned to sleep which was hell for 2 weeks. Went to 2 ENTs and they jumped on sleep apnea and the sleep test showed sleep apnea with a AHI of 27.
Since then I've gotten myself a Resmed Airsense. It helped minimize the issue. Instead of having it happen 3-5 times in a row. I got it down to 1-2 times then I am able to sleep. I've not looked at the sleepyhead data for this, my card reader doesn't work and haven't gotten around to get an external one yet.
Anyways weird symptoms started manifesting itself during the day after about 2 weeks with CPAP. This was around the start of june. My throat will feel tight/flexed and breathing was harder like breathing through a straw. I guess it was like asthma without the coughing and wheezing and this only occurred when I was inactive e.g watching tv, driving, on a plane etc. Eating something or just standing up and walking around made it better.
I started researching more and it seems like it could be LPR-Laryngopharyngeal reflux possibly that has inflamed the throat. One thing that alerted me was that it can sometimes be caused by nerve damage from a virus. Post viral vagal neuropathy, weakening one of your GI organ, most likely esophagus, causing a significant delay in reflux clearance. Which made sense somewhat as I've been experiencing worsening mucus pooling ever since coming down with major flu in December last year. Right now I am wondering whether this LPR could have significantly contributed to my sleep apnea because of throat inflammation. I probably have some form of sleep apnea regardless judging from my loud snoring and being overweight. Never suffered major SA symptoms though.
For the last month or so I've been taking off the counter reflux meds and there seems to be significant improvements both when awake and asleep. I am trying to schedule a GI doctor visit soon to see if it's what I suspect it is. Will update again.
Alcohol and eating late does not help, alcohol relaxes the muscles and can lead to your throat closing. Vellacook, I suspect you caught S.A. early. I have seen me stop breathing through the day when not thinking of anything but relaxed. Not a problem as I realise I have done this and my brain suddenly realises I am not breathing and jolts my brain into taking action. I have also felt my throat offer to close when I am sitting staring at the TV not interested in what is on and very relaxed (but not falling asleep), but again my brain kicks in and makes me do something about it, like sit up and pay attention!
This is somewhat similar to how I feel except I can also feel the throat being narrower. Like actual exhaling being obstructed slightly. Like I said it's only when I am relaxing or if I've eaten too much.
If I kept to reflux friendly foods and had some Malox or gaviscon, I would be free of these obstruction episodes for 1-2 days. I am still having troubles being consistent with diet and anti reflux meds because I don't always want to carry a big bottle of malox every time I am out for a lunch meeting or something.
I don't drink alcohol often these days. Save the drinking for weddings or birthday events.
Perhaps I do have SA but I feel like there's a sudden significant difference in my daytime breathing which shouldn't be related to SA. I think I'd just be happy with a confirmed diagnosis rather then wondering what is the cause of my day time issues.
