Here are some studies that some current posters might have come across showing a link between sleep apnea and testosterone levels:

http://www.ats.org/news.php?id=45

http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/68/2/352

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9511783&dopt=Citation

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11238505&dopt=Citation

All citations are from peer reviewed, reputable journals.  The first two citations are from the angle that OSA caused decreased testostorone levels and suggests levels of testosterone be brought back to normal, not by hormone therapy, but by CPAP use.

The second two citations suggest that excess testosterone levels cause OSA.  If this is a subject you want to research, I have put directions for medical searches in the links section.

Vicki



Last edited by Vicki on Sat Sep 24, 2005 9:54 pm; edited 1 time in total
_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Thanks for posting the links. I begin Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Monday. I am really looking forward to it, as I have not seen a significant difference after three months of CPAP therapy.

http://www.andropause.com/treatment_options/therapy.asp wrote:

What should I expect from testosterone replacement?
In various clinical studies, very good responses to testosterone have been reported for men with low-testosterone and they include:

    * Improvement in mood and sense of well-being
    * Increased mental and physical energy
    * Decreased anger, irritability, sadness, tiredness, nervousness
    * Improved quality of sleep
    * Improved libido and sexual performance
    * An increase in lean body mass, a decline in fat mass
    * An increase in muscle strength (hand grip, upper and lower extremities)
    * Potentially, a decrease in the risk of heart disease

I complained about all of those to my doctor which initally led him to believe I had sleep apnea.

Hey Sleepy,

You are right, there are other physical disorders which mimic sleep apnea, the most notable being decreased thyroid function, so a thorough physical exam is always in order first.  Please post what your doc. says and how your therapy works so I'll know about testosterone also.

Thank you, but sorry you have had so much grief!!

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Before I started CPAP (I have severe OSA), I was using 10 mg of testosterone gel daily.  9 months later I am using none and feeling much better!  It didn't happen overnight, but I gradually reduced the dosage until I completely stopped about a month ago.

Merlin,

Glad to hear it helped. How long after using the gel did you notice a difference? I just started the gel this morning, and I am really putting a lot of faith in to this helping me.

Thanks for the info.  I was distressed that I was not feeling significantly better after having started on the CPAP.  I hope to begin therapy around Halloween, because of an ankle injury I have to wait to be retested.  If you are in pain it throws all of the levels off.  I was also wondering if you knew anything about apnea as it related to fibromyalgia.

sleepygolfpro -  It took about a week or so after starting the gel for the testosterone to get built up enough in my system to where I felt better.  Just pay attention to your body.  If you get to feeling really cranky, jumpy or aggressive, you might want to reduce the dosage a little bit (They call it 'roid rage for a reason).  I used the pump bottles where 1 squirt is 2.5 mg of testosterone and could adjust 2.5 mg at a time.  It takes about 2 weeks after reducing the dosage to notice a change.

Good luck!

merlin wrote:

sleepygolfpro -  It took about a week or so after starting the gel for the testosterone to get built up enough in my system to where I felt better.  Just pay attention to your body.  If you get to feeling really cranky, jumpy or aggressive, you might want to reduce the dosage a little bit (They call it 'roid rage for a reason).  I used the pump bottles where 1 squirt is 2.5 mg of testosterone and could adjust 2.5 mg at a time.  It takes about 2 weeks after reducing the dosage to notice a change.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply. I am on the pump that gives 1.25mg per pump. I am only supposed to get 5mg a day. Your posts are very encouraging, as I have not felt well this whole year. I am only 28 years old and this has to be the worst year of my life.

Is it possible that stomach or esophagus problems could cause a sleep disorder?  I have a reflux problem and notice that a reclining position often causes discomfort.  A carbonated drink seems to help.