Sleep Apnea Question

Denise1847

I am curious to learn how many of your spouses had untreated sleep apnea before they were diagnosed with their memory problems.

Daughter of a Marine

My DH was diagnosed with sleep apnea 30 years ago and was prescribed a CPAP mask that covered only his nose. However, he has always been a mouth breather. Because he did not have a full face mask, he did not receive sufficient oxygen while sleeping and I am convinced (tho no one will acknowledge this) that his current dementia is due largely to his oxygen depravation during all those years. I will never know with certainty but I believe it only makes sense. Hopefully, today, sleep specialists are more enlightened and are treating sleep apnea much more effectively. Wish I knew then what i know now!

harshedbuzz

Both my parents have sleep apnea. Dad's obstructive, mom's central. Dad used a full-face mask and C-pap for at least 10 years before he developed symptoms of mixed dementia (about 17 years before he was diagnosed officially) Mom uses a bi-pap with nasal pillows and does not have dementia at 85.

Denise1847

Thank you for your responses. My husband was diagnosed with sleep apnea 18 years ago but refused to wear a CPAP. Six years later, he developed atrial fibrillation. There have been studies linking apnea with Afib. I have read that there is some linkage between apnea and dementia. However, I know others that have apnea and don't have dementia.

Schulerjudy

My LO was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 15 years ago but also refused to wear a CPAP. Heart attack and Alz diagnosis now. I have read there is a correlation. He is trying to wear the CPAP now but gets him very frustrated. Not sure how much longer he will wear it.

mrahope

DH was diagnosed with sleep apnea many years ago, and did use CPAP. However, he quit using it after some amount of years and seemed fine. Another sleep study about 5 years ago showed his apnea was borderline and they didn't prescribe one again. He's had heart attacks, bypass, etc. He was told in December 22 that he has "mild dementia", type unspecified. I do hope some research is being done into any possible correlations between sleep disorders (he has severe Restless Legs Syndrome also) and later dementia.

BadMoonRising

In 2020, I consulted an NIA Alzheimer's expert. He advised me that the only action I could take in my effort to delay cognitive decline was to treat my very mild sleep apnea. (The sleep study results were so mild the physician who ordered the study said Medicare would not cover the cost. He was wrong.) That said, for 30 years I shared a bed with a man who snored loudly every damn night. When I informed him that he had moments of apnea, he remarked that everyone would like to die peacefully in their sleep. Unfortunately, I am the one that suffered the consequences. The issue is not restricted to apnea or no apnea. Everyone needs restful sleep to keep their brains healthy. Don't go down with the ship.

Denise1847

Hi BadMoonRising,

Thank you for sharing your experience. I actually moved out of our bedroom in 2020 and sleep in the guest room. You are so right about sleep. Take care and God bless.

Kraft44

My elderly father, aged 89, had a dx of Alzheimers. But then found to have severe sleep apnea. 3 months of CPAP therapy, his MMSE score increased nine points (MMSE 27). Sleep apnea had a very severe affect on his cognition. But this was after decades of living with severe untreated apnea. With mild apnea, I suspect it would not have a significant effect on cognition.

Denise1847

That is interesting. Thank you.