GERD and Sleep Apnea - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

Mike137100 · 03-21-2007, 04:24 PM

Any GERD suffers also have sleep apnea? I read some of the symptoms of sleep apnea is reflux. Was wondering if any of you have apnea along with your reflux.

Alagaesia · 03-21-2007, 11:11 PM

I'm not sure if I have it or not. I don't want to dish out a ton of money to find out. I do however wake up many times during the night, and I also wake up feeling like I was barely breathing. I don't remember ever really sleeping well.

neddyflanders · 03-22-2007, 08:15 AM

I wake up about 3-4 times a night. Thought it was sleep apnea but my doctor says I don't fit the type and also said the reflux coming up can cause almost exact symptoms of sleep apnea. Also I don't snore.

bethsheba · 03-22-2007, 05:14 PM

Yes, I have sleep apnea and I have had GERD. My GERD disappeared when I was treated for the apnea over 3 years ago. My pcp had prescribed antiacids for 20+ years and I never thought a thing of it. When I met with my pulmonary sleep specialist he noted the history of antiacids in my chart and told me that it was a red flag for him indicating a sleep disorder...my primary care physician didn't recognize the signs...but the sleep specialist saw it right away.

Neddy,

Unless your doctor is a pulmonary specialist, an ent, a cardiac specialist, or an allergist, etc. and is credentialed in sleep medicine he/she is not qualified to tell you that you are not the "type". GPs get about 15 minutes of training in sleep disorders which is not enough given the prevalence of the problem (it's about as common as diabetes). Some people erroniously think that you have to snore or you have to be overweight...not so. Some of the people I know who have apnea are tiny little women who do not snore---at least that's what their husbands say,

.

Alagaesia, You don't have to spend tons of money to find out if you fit the profile...there are free written "tests" that you can take that will help you determine if you are a candidate for seeing a sleep specialist. (I found these tests researching sleep apnea.) Although I had reported my symptoms to my family doc years ago, my doc did not identify my symptoms as being related to a sleep disorder. I was the one who did the research, identified the symptoms, and told my doc I wanted to see the specialist. And by golly, I was right to do so...although I had mild to moderate apnea, treatment (which was surgery and med free) made a HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THE QUALITY OF MY LIFE! And treatment is improving my cardiac health as well. I haven't filled a rx for acid reflux nor do I take otc's and I love and eat all food--so now I've got another problem,

.

Sleep disorders are very serious as they go hand in had with diabetes, acid reflux, high blood pressure, and heart disease. But the really great news is that the treatment for sleep disorders is often surgery free and med free. Given the prevelence and the serious nature of these disorders, you have everything to gain by doing some research.

Bethsheba

Things that put one at risk for sleep apnea are heredity, tissue tone, excess throat tissue, bone structure, allergies, for starters.

Trish17 · 03-22-2007, 06:11 PM

When you refer to excess throat tissue, does that refer to the swelling in the muscle which has to be stretched? I've been having esophogal stretches for about 5 years, and I take prevacid for GERD. I have also been taking restoril for sleep for 4 years. (I have extreme insomnia.) My gp recently suggested tests for sleep apnea. He didn't think insomnia was the problem. Isn't there a definate difference between sleep apnea and insomnia?

Thanks for any input,
Trish