My brother was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea Today.  Both my mother and father are on Cpac machines or something like that.  My bother just told me that this is heretitory and I should be checked out.  I am 35 years old and I smoke.  I have fought high blood pressure since my 20's. Recently my Dr sent me to a Hematology expert and he found that my hemoglobin was extremely too high so they removed 500cc a week for six weeks till they got me back down.  I have blood work done every month to see if I am still normal and I have been fine the last few months.  Good things is I feel better I am not tired all the time and My blood pressire is 117/74.  I do snore at night but my wife says she has never noticed me NOT breathing.  But my Dr also said that the reason that  my hemoglobin is so high is because my body doesn't think I am getting enough oxygen and therefore creates more hemoglobin to carry oxygen throughout my body. He blames my smoking.  I do have trouble sleeping at night but usually a few drinks and I can sleep just fine.  My Dr has given me things to help me sleep but they haven't worked so I generally rely on the other method which is doing more harm that good.  I guess my question is could all these things be related and could sleep acnea be the cause.  I constantly worry about my health because I have had so many problems with my blood pressure.  My latest problem has been muscle fatigue.  I can only walk short distances before my legs give out.  i am not out of breath they just get tired.  I can't even eat a sandwich without my jaw muscles aching.  Could the lack of oxygen be causing this as well.

I don't know, Concerned. But you may be having several things going on at once.
But that can be true for sleep apnea as well.  And blood pressure problems, especially high blood pressure, is related to sleep apnea.  I developed high blood pressure a year or so before being treated for sleep apnea.  Reduced oxygen can cause a strain on many parts of your body, especially the heart.  That's why stroke and heart attack are common among sleep apneacs who are not treated.  

Also, even though you may not exhibit some of the classic symptoms such as the sounds of breathing stopping, doesn't mean you don't have it.
I'm not sure about the leg and muscle problems.  

But the point is, it is worth the effort to get tested, and I mean a full sleep study test.  They test for different things, including restless leg syndrome, levels of oxygen, and other body functions.  Even if it turns out you don't have sleep apnea, the test could help the doctors seek other areas to look into.  There are other types of sleep disorders which also deplete the oxygen levels.  But the fact that you have close family members with this is a very good reason for being tested.  It does run in families.  Obstructive Sleep Apnea is based on throat structure, and that structure can be hereditary.  So it is wise to get tested.

Good luck.  Keep in touch.


Linda

Are your legs turning brown or tan from about the calf down?, Possibly get cramps after walking alot.


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