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Suggest Treatment For Sleep Apnea And Heart Arrythmias
Question: I'm 55 yr. old female; 60 lbs overweight/never smoker/never alcohol/never OTC or illegal drugs; sleep study confirmed sleep apnea/possible Central Sleep Apnea. Frequent (2-3) awakenings at night unrelated to sleep apnea; sensations of hypoglycemic episodes but finger sticks revealed blood glucose within normal levels; heart arrythmias (benign-PVCs no atrial vib) next test requested by cardiologist stree test; last CBC test were all within normal range about 3 months ago.
PROBLEM/COMPLAINT: For last 5 days or so I'm having sudden "drained/weak" (overall) (as if I just ran a marathon) comes and goes. Muscle weakness. But when I squeeze someone's hand, it's strong. Also it seems like an "effort" to get air or inhale but I do not feel a "shortage" of air....Nose is often stuffed/use a nose strip ever night. Went to walk in clinic 5 days ago; EKG normal; blood sugar normal; blood oxygenation 98.8 percent. I have no dizzyness/vertigo - no pains anywhere - no body parts "drooping". Arms, legs weakness comes on within minutes, stays for roughly an hour or so, then goes away.
In addition, my left eyelid is twitching last few days during onset of this complaint. Also, though last menstrual period ended 2012/51 yrs. old, I'm getting "temperature fluctuations" (feeling hot one minute -though body temp read "normal" at 98.6- then cold the next minute) similar to the "hot flashes" I've had since 42 yrs. old in (Peri-menopause).
Just saw an endocrinology 3 months ago. Thyroid function (basic) was normal range.
PROBLEM/COMPLAINT: For last 5 days or so I'm having sudden "drained/weak" (overall) (as if I just ran a marathon) comes and goes. Muscle weakness. But when I squeeze someone's hand, it's strong. Also it seems like an "effort" to get air or inhale but I do not feel a "shortage" of air....Nose is often stuffed/use a nose strip ever night. Went to walk in clinic 5 days ago; EKG normal; blood sugar normal; blood oxygenation 98.8 percent. I have no dizzyness/vertigo - no pains anywhere - no body parts "drooping". Arms, legs weakness comes on within minutes, stays for roughly an hour or so, then goes away.
In addition, my left eyelid is twitching last few days during onset of this complaint. Also, though last menstrual period ended 2012/51 yrs. old, I'm getting "temperature fluctuations" (feeling hot one minute -though body temp read "normal" at 98.6- then cold the next minute) similar to the "hot flashes" I've had since 42 yrs. old in (Peri-menopause).
Just saw an endocrinology 3 months ago. Thyroid function (basic) was normal range.
Brief Answer:
Please see the discussion below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
Your symptoms are due to the combination of a number of factors.
Sleep apnoea would have worsened with your nasal stuffiness and decreased aeration of the lungs due to narrowing of the air passage. This can produce tiredness and tendency to fall asleep during day time. Try using a decongestant nasal spray like otrivin at night and see if there is any improvement. You can reduce the severity of sleep apnoea by sleeping on your side. If you have a tendency to turn on to your back during sleep, which would worsen the sleep apnea, some simple measures can be tried. Try to lose weight which will decrease your sleep apnea.
Your hot flushes are likely to be due to the hormonal abnormalities associated with menopause. You can confirm this through doing a hormonal study which will show elevated FSH.
Do get back to me if you have further queries.
Please see the discussion below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
Your symptoms are due to the combination of a number of factors.
Sleep apnoea would have worsened with your nasal stuffiness and decreased aeration of the lungs due to narrowing of the air passage. This can produce tiredness and tendency to fall asleep during day time. Try using a decongestant nasal spray like otrivin at night and see if there is any improvement. You can reduce the severity of sleep apnoea by sleeping on your side. If you have a tendency to turn on to your back during sleep, which would worsen the sleep apnea, some simple measures can be tried. Try to lose weight which will decrease your sleep apnea.
Your hot flushes are likely to be due to the hormonal abnormalities associated with menopause. You can confirm this through doing a hormonal study which will show elevated FSH.
Do get back to me if you have further queries.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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