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Severe Sleep Apnea after BRAVO 48 Hour Test

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Posted 5/4/2008 8:24 AM (GMT 0)
I am hoping someone might have some ideas for me to explore.  I had a 48 hr Bravo test that turned into a nightmare, and required surgical removal of the device, because of esophageal spasms, during and for many weeks after.  I never had these spasms before.  While the BRAVO was in, I began having severe sleep apnea, and it hasn't gone away (months later).  I'm also hyperthyroid, which isn't helping things.  It happens many times during the night, and it's to the point now that I'm afraid to go to sleep.  I wake up gasping for air and choking.  Any help would be appreciated.
Posted 5/4/2008 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
Daisies,

The choking and gasping awake were some of my earliest LPR symptoms (and the accompanying fear). I never had heartburn or any other "obvious" reflux symptoms. You may want to talk with an ear-nose-throat doctor about your issues, since it is now affecting your breathing. In my case, the ENT doc diagnosed my problem when the GI doc, after two esophageal scopes, told me I was perfectly fine and didn't need reflux meds.

Good luck!

percycat
Posted 5/4/2008 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
percycat,

None of the reflux meds help me at all. I have had 3 scopes now with no diagnosis. I'm not all that familiar with LPR, but will look into it. thanks.

Daisies
Posted 5/5/2008 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
Daisies,

My first ENT just kind of guessed at reflux and told me to try Nexium once a day for a bit. My GI doc found nothing 2 months later after an EGD scope and told me to stop taking them. Within a week I was choking again. This time, my second ENT doc did a throat scope - different from the EGD - and saw damage to my larynx (which the GI scopes just skip past). She prescribed Nexium once before dinner and then Zantac once before bed. I haven't had problems to speak of since then, thank goodness. From reading on the web, I get the impression that the standard treatment for LPR is two PPIs a day, although the Nexium-Zantac mix is fine with me.

Good luck to you!

percycat
Posted 5/12/2008 9:33 AM (GMT 0)
Daisies,

I recently went to the ENT to have my hearing tested. After being to so many DR. with many symptoms including an ulcer which cleared up after using Acifix for a year. The ENT is the one who finally told me I had GERD due to the way my voice box looked. He suggested I go to my pc and ask him for another pres. for Acifix. Because there were signs that indicated damage. In the mean time I'm using cemetidine or zertec OTC they seem to work but have to make sure it doesn't interfere with other meds. It also took an
ENT to tell me I need to see my dentist for TMJ, or I may have serious problems. I told him I had a mouthpiece made years ago but had stopped using it because of caps on my teeth that changed the way it fit.
good luck to you. My son and family took me out to eat for mothers day and now I am suffering for the great meal . OH well. I enjoyed every bit of it. june
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