Archived Forum3, viewing only. To post message go to Forums Homepage.
[ Return to Forum ] [ Sleepnet.com Homepage ] [ Sleep Mall ] [ All Sleep Forums ]

Information not intended as medical advice.

female sex hormones as a treatment for apnea


Posted by Jeff on January 30, 1998 at 16:40:39:

Hi all,

Following the very positive results steroids had on my obstructive sleep apnea (see my post entitled steroids and apnea on 1/20/98), I asked my doctor if there were any medications that would provide the benefits I received from the steroids without the many harmful side effects associated with their long-term use. Yesterday I received a letter from my doctor along with a prescription. He wrote, "Medroxyprogesterone is a recognized treatment for apnea, although its mode of action in this condition is unclear. This medicine is a semi-synthetic version of one of the major female sex hormones and should have no long-term effect on the arteries. So far as I know, its use should not have any feminizing effect."

With the help of a concerned party on this board, I was able to locate a site that listed this medication as a treatment for women suffering from central sleep apnea. I have been unable to find anything recommending it for men with obstructive apnea. My doctor is a good man but he is not very well versed in apnea treatment. Can any of the doctors following this board tell me anything about the use of this medication for obstructive apnea? Is this current treatment? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

I was diagnosed with severe obstructive apnea in June of 96 with 107 episodes per hour. In a second sleep study performed last night, though the formal results are not yet available, the sleep tech said he was recording around 120 episodes per hour. I desperately need help. Please respond. Thanks.

Jeff

Follow Ups:


Copyright ©1995-2000 Sleepnet.com, All rights reserved.