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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Sleep Apnea and Clusters
        
(Message started by: Spike_Inmyeye on Nov 27^th, 2005, 6:01pm)

Title: Sleep Apnea and Clusters
Post by Spike_Inmyeye on Nov 27^th, 2005, 6:01pm

I just had a sleep test and was told I had significant oxygen problems and would probably have to use a CPAP machine. The techie who did the test said that sleep apnea was very common in people who had CH. The fun just never ends! Not only do I have a headache but I snore. So, is this really that common? If sleep apnea is treated do the headaches go away?

I promise not to make any taser jokes.

Title: Re: Sleep Apnea and Clusters
Post by mcf69 on Nov 27^th, 2005, 9:08pm

Hi spike,
I too have sleep apnea and sleep with a cpap, unfortunately it doesn't seem to help with the clusters as I'm just starting my fall cycle, but it does help with sleep. There was one study done that found that 80% of cluster headache sufferers have sleep apnea, but it was done with a very small test group, so the jury is still out on whether that is an acurate figure. Just out of curiosity, did the tech mention which kind of apnea you had, obstructive, central, or mixed? Best of luck, if you have any questions don't be afraid to give me a shout.

Title: Re: Sleep Apnea and Clusters
Post by mynm156 on Nov 28^th, 2005, 10:50pm

Hey Spike,

Well I too have to use CPAP it has had no effect on my Clusters. Your sleep tech is either a sleep tech and/or a respiratory therapist. I am the later. I find it hard to believe that they would know much at all about Clusters. Its just not in our scope of practice. Yes low oxygen saturations can cause headaches and is one of the many tests that a doctor can put us through. Most sleep labs use pulmonologist (Lung Doctors) too be thier medical directors and they would probably not know very much about clusters.

Good Luck

Good Vibes

MYNM156

Title: Re: Sleep Apnea and Clusters
Post by Spike_Inmyeye on Nov 29^th, 2005, 2:17am

That is the problem. Seems that they know just enough about CH to be dangerous. Might just be magical thinking on my part to think CPAP would help. See what develops. By the way do you sleep better with the CPAP?

Title: Re: Sleep Apnea and Clusters
Post by Bob_Johnson on Nov 29^th, 2005, 10:38am

: Headache. 2004 Jun;44(6):607-10.

Obstructive sleep apnea and cluster headache.

Graff-Radford SB, Newman A.

The Pain Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center and UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.

A patient with cluster headache often wakes from sleep. The relationship to sleep apnea has been described. This study sought to confirm the relationship cluster may have with sleep apnea. METHODS: Thirty-nine consecutive patients diagnosed with episodic cluster headache according to the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria were sent for polysomnographic studies. All patients were in an active phase when they were in the study. Patients were told of the proposed relationship and were allowed to choose a sleep laboratory close to their home. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients with episodic cluster headache completed an overnight polysomnographic study. Twenty-three were male and eight female. The average age was 51 years (range 33 to 78 years). The average weight was 173 pounds (range 117 to 260 pounds). A total of 80.64% had sleep apnea (25/31). Average respiratory depression index (RDI) was 19.0 (SD 14.6) with 6 patients having no apnea, 10 having mild, 11 having moderate, and 4 having severe apnea (RDI < 5 = none; RDI 5 to 20 mild; RDI 20 to 40 moderate; RDI > 40 severe). Oxygen saturation decreased on average to 88.4% SD 4.5. Sleep efficiency was 76.2% (SD 13.4). CONCLUSIONS: The data closely approximate those of Chervin et al, where 80% had RDI > 5. The relationship sleep apnea has in the perpetuation or precipitation of cluster headache is still to be determined. There are some reports that treatment stops the cluster but there is no prospective study. The high incidence (80.64%) seen in this population suggests the cluster patient should receive a sleep evaluation and perhaps intervention with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or an appropriate dental device.

PMID: 15186306 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Title: Re: Sleep Apnea and Clusters
Post by Spike_Inmyeye on Nov 29^th, 2005, 4:47pm

Thanks for the info. I guess I will give the CPAP a try and let you know if it makes any difference with CH symptoms. At the very least I get to sound like Darth Vader at night.

Title: Re: Sleep Apnea and Clusters
Post by E-Double on Nov 29^th, 2005, 4:59pm

Research is suggesting (check floridians site) that CHers may have Central Sleep Apnea as opposed to obstructive. It stems deep in the noggin as opposed to a deviated septum.

I couldnt tolerate the device so my wife just has to deal..........

I get the couch

Title: Re: Sleep Apnea and Clusters
Post by unsolved1 on Nov 29^th, 2005, 8:10pm

I was also told that I have sleep apnea but can't stand to wear all that 'head gear' when I sleep.

UNsolved