Posted by Katt on November 15, 2009 at 17:52:24:In Reply to: Apnea or something else? posted by wordhog on November 01, 2009 at 11:16:51:
My grandmother had apnea and she was 5'8" and 120 lbs. Back in the day there wasn't much they could do for her. Having said that, I don't believe for a second that weight is the primary cause of apnea, although it's a risk factor that can aggravate the condition. It's usually the structures in the throat that cause apnea. A floppy airway can be present in a 100 lb person and a 500 lb person can have a perfectly sound airway with no apnea. It's just the hand we've been dealt in life. I've lost over 75 lbs through diet and exercise and I still have to deal w/ apnea. I have never been so disheartened, even to the point where I can't stand my parents for giving me this configuration in my throat. Sounds ridiculous, I know.
I can't believe that any medical dr. worth their degree would not send you for a sleep study as least to rule out apnea, which destroys sleep. Daytime sleepiness is a classic symptom as well as frequent awakenings. If this one doesn't refer you for a test I would suggest you go dr. shopping. Some sleep drs. like to waffle around too, and many can be as useless as gp's. When they can't or won't do anything for you, they blow you off rather than admit they are not competent enough to help.
I had one stupid sleep dr. call me for an appt. for which I drove over an hour, only to tell me there was nothing he could do and that I should remain on cpap, which wasn't working. I often wonder why these drs. should even be practicing and making six figures a year. Anyway, I'm digressing. GP's don't have a great deal of knowledge when it comes to apnea and other sleep disorders. I hope you can find a good dr. who can put you on the right track so you can get some relief. But you need a sleep study. To me this is like a dr looking at your chest when you have a bloody cough and telling you it's just a cold without checking further.