Hey, I read on another site that scoliosis can be a factor in causing sleep apnea? I got diagnosed with moderete scoliosis at the age of 13 and now with severe sleep apnea at the age of 24. So I was wondering if there was a connection? I have been having problems sleeping for years..almost seems like forever!
I found this info on the Peace heath website:
"Deformities of the spine. Deformities of the spine, such as scoliosis, may interfere with breathing and contribute to sleep OSA."

debbie

cornpop16 wrote:

Hey, I read on another site that scoliosis can be a factor in causing sleep apnea? I got diagnosed with moderete scoliosis at the age of 13 and now with severe sleep apnea at the age of 24. So I was wondering if there was a connection? I have been having problems sleeping for years..almost seems like forever!
I found this info on the Peace heath website:
"Deformities of the spine. Deformities of the spine, such as scoliosis, may interfere with breathing and contribute to sleep OSA."

debbie

Hi Debbie,

Goodness!  The things I learn from people who use this forum!
Thanks for the question.  I had no idea what scoliosis was and you had me googling to learn more.  I'm still googling and learning more.
Thanks!!

I did find this site from the University of Maryland Medical Center where they discuss scoliosis and the use of cpap to improve lung capacity.
There are other sections on this site describing scoliosis.  I noticed that they described the severe and very severe categories as affecting lung capacity, but the moderate category seemed to be capable of having lung problems too, if I'm reading it correctly (and I may not be).  
I'm curious (since I don't know much about this), how else does this condition affect you?  
 
But I'm still reading on.  Don't know if you've seen it, but we have a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) forum, and although this issue of scoliosis hasn't been asked here before, I will put in there whatever information I find on this and the connection to sleep apnea or cpap, for those who may be interested.  Thanks again for asking the question.  Questions like these may help others as well.

Click here for link


Linda

well I have a 33 degrees curvature of my spine, My right shoulder blade is pushed out a tad.  When I was in highschool I almsot always had a headache or a migraine. (no clue if that is due to sleep apnea at that time or the scoliosis) I started going to a chiropractor and over 1 year, my migraines pretty much went away. I stoped going to the chiropractor last fall when My insurance at work changed, then ohip stoped covering it. It got way to expensive for me.
I have had back pain, headaches and sleeping problems for as long as I can remember.  Any information you have found out about this would be very helpful, I am also going to ask my sleep specialist about this conection!

Debbie

cornpop16 wrote:

well I have a 33 degrees curvature of my spine, My right shoulder blade is pushed out a tad.  When I was in highschool I almsot always had a headache or a migraine. (no clue if that is due to sleep apnea at that time or the scoliosis) I started going to a chiropractor and over 1 year, my migraines pretty much went away. I stoped going to the chiropractor last fall when My insurance at work changed, then ohip stoped covering it. It got way to expensive for me.
I have had back pain, headaches and sleeping problems for as long as I can remember.  Any information you have found out about this would be very helpful, I am also going to ask my sleep specialist about this conection!

Debbie

Hi Debbie,

I guess I forgot to ask, but have you started using cpap?  And if so, has there been any improvement?
I feel silly, usually I ask that right away.  I'm sorry you've had to go through all of this.  Must be awful.  But I appreciate you telling us about it.

Linda

P.S.  I sure love your cat avatar!!

hey,
thanx I found the kitty pic. off of yahoo images. cute isn't it. Today is my kitten (well i guess not kitten anymore) Bandits first birthday:)
Well, I just got diagnosed with severe sleep apnea last Tuesday and I go in for my titration on thursday night. So as of yet I havn't started cpap. I hope it'll go well thursday night. Right now I am doing a lot of research, trying to come up with lot's of reading material.

debbie