Fibromyalgia Complicates Sleep Apnea
By kathrynv on Oct 16, 2009 in Health
Sleep apnea is a breathing condition which affects people during their sleep. It can cause a lot of terrible health problems for individuals who suffer from it. Those problems are exacerbated when the person with sleep apnea also suffers from the common condition known as fibromyalgia.
People who suffer from sleep apnea typically have to use CPAP equipment including CPAP machines and masks. These are devices that assist you with breathing during the night. This helps to keep the symptoms of sleep apnea at bay. This is particularly important for the person with fibromyalgia because sleep apnea symptoms can worsen the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Some people with sleep apnea consider getting surgery to solve the problem. If you also have fibromyalgia then you should know that surgery is riskier for you than it is for the average sleep apnea patient. It is probably better to stick with using your CPAP machine rather than to try to cure your sleep apnea with surgery because of the risks involved for you.
Of course, you should discuss all of the details of this with your doctor. Make sure that your doctor has experience with patients who have both conditions and who understands how the conditions complicate one another.
1 Comment(s)
By abot bensussen on Oct 17, 2009 | Reply
I rely on my cpap machine and mask to help me get the stage 4, restorative and deep sleep that i require. my sleep specialist, dr. bradley schnierow, prescribes xyrem for me. i have been using this medication with my cpap for over three years and my fibromyalgia is much improved. i am no longer confined to my bed and can exercise and shop and go about my day almost as well as before i became ill.