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Sleep Apnea and Cancer

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Posted 1/4/2017 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

My husband has always snored; something I've gotten used to over the years. By way of some recent sleeplessness on my part, I've noticed that he has a regular pattern of around 10 seconds of snoring and 5 seconds of not breathing at all.

Not sure how long this has been going on. Maybe for years. Maybe just since he gained his weight on Lupron.

Since cancer supposedly thrives in a low oxygen environment, is this something to be concerned about? Is it dangerous or more so because of the fact he has cancer?
Posted 1/4/2017 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Certainly get a sleep study done because it will be good for his overall health - especially his cardiovascular health.

Cancer thrives in an hypoxic environment because it can, while healthy cells cannot. Tumors often have a leaky blood supply and are not saturated with competent blood vessels the way healthy tissue is. But that has little to do with blood oxygenation, unless he is having radiotherapy.
Posted 1/5/2017 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
I was DX with sleep apnea last year and now use a CPAP machine.

And I sleep so much better and over all feel much better.

There are serious risks with sleep apnea like you describe. The sleep study isn't that difficult to do (I was give a take home machine to use) and noticed an improvement from the first night I used the machine.

Andrew
Posted 1/5/2017 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
If they build it you will come...
Posted 1/5/2017 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
I have used cpap for a couple years and it has improved my sleep dramatically. It also reduces the need to urinate frequently. I get up around 2:00 and 6:00 AM. I never thought about the relationship between sleep apnea and PCa.
Bob
Posted 1/5/2017 1:30 PM (GMT 0)

Break60 said...
I never thought about the relationship between sleep apnea and PCa.
Bob

I don't think there is a relationship. Re-read TA's post above.
Posted 1/5/2017 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on a cpap for 6 years and it was the best thing I ever did. I also get up once a nite around 2:00 am to go to the bathroom.

Sleep studies are quick and most insurances cover the study and the machine.
Posted 1/5/2017 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Not to be a doubter, as I'm sure that these machines do serve a purpose. It just seems unusual that people either have a CPAP, use it and love it, or they wonder what this is all about.

This is just an observation from folks in my office.

So far, I don't have one. I have far too many other medical devices, though.
Posted 1/5/2017 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
A CPAP is magic. Looks weird and before I started using it I had doubts.

Two nights of use, and I can't imagine not having and am wondering why I waited so long to get the sleep study.

It's so hard to explain with words what it does, but I've had a year of good sleep and better health as a result.

Andrew
Posted 1/5/2017 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the input guys. This will be a tough challenge to get him to agree to getting the sleep study done. Just like I've still never convinced him to do a colonoscopy either. I think he thinks since he has aggressive PC he only has to focus on that and doesn't want to think about anything else because its just too overwhelming.
Posted 1/5/2017 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
I've used a CPAP for about 8 months. I had a helluva scare last Feb when I stopped breathing while asleep and had a very hard time resuming breathing. I had very recently had to double my morphine dosage and it really scared me that it may have contributed. I did the home sleep study and other tests. I won't say the CPAP has been as marvelous as some others, but it is fine. I adjusted to it easily enough after a few weeks. I'd prefer to not use it, probably, but I don't want that scare again.
Posted 1/6/2017 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
I used to doze off early in the afternoon while trying to teach school. Sleep study showed I was waking up about 50 time an hour. Had a CPAP since 1998 and sleep all night now. No snoring and don't get sleepy in the afternoon any more. They are great. I love it.

Carl
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