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Permalink Reply by Mike on July 28, 2009 at 12:51am

that is an excellent idea -- basically a screen for all the many afflictions that can befall someone whose sleep apnea hasn't been treated: diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, etc. i don't know what those tests are, but it would be good to have that list handy so that we can push to get the tests done.

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on July 28, 2009 at 6:59am

Just my guess, but wouldn't that be a physical with blood work.

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Permalink Reply by BeeAsleep on July 28, 2009 at 8:24am

My doctor suggested that I get a 3-D echocardiogram just because was diagnosed with OSA. Not because I had previous heart problems. So I had the test done to see if I had heart enlargement. Thankfully I did not. I appreciate that he checked.

As a side note. The board certified sleep doctor told me that OSA raises your blood pressure. I don't have high blood pressure during the day, but he told me it can raise your blood pressure at night as you are struggling to breathe with untreated OSA.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Nadolny, BS, CRT on July 28, 2009 at 2:04pm

Testing for the effects of OSA is a great idea! I am not sure how the insurance company will feel about it.

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Permalink Reply by bonesigh on July 28, 2009 at 2:23pm

I'm going to the sleep doctor soon and I'll ask him about it. I think in a regular physical all they do is look you over and listen to your heart etc. I don't think they actually do any serious tests unless it seems you need them. I think a 3-D echocardiogram sounds like a good idea just to make sure.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on July 31, 2009 at 12:02pm

agreed. there are probably a number of tests beyond those performed in a regular physical that would be important for someone who has been long untreated for sleep apnea to undergo. for instance, my first sleep test showed signs of heart arrythmias, so my primary care physician referred me to a cardiologist to get a "stress test" done where i had to run on a treadmill until the point of exhaustion while they recorded what was going on with my heart. i had never had that test done before, and doubt many others have ever had it in their lives.

bonesigh said:

I'm going to the sleep doctor soon and I'll ask him about it. I think in a regular physical all they do is look you over and listen to your heart etc. I don't think they actually do any serious tests unless it seems you need them. I think a 3-D echocardiogram sounds like a good idea just to make sure.

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Permalink Reply by Pam McReynolds on December 30, 2009 at 6:02am

I realize this was a discussion taking place in July 2009, but wanted to say I agree there should be testing immediately for anyone diagnosed with any kind of apnea. I have both Central (85%) and Obstructive. I have been frustrated for the last year with medical issues. Since I started with a new primary care physician in September 2008, I have accumulated 9 new doctors. It all started with what I thought was a kidney stone, which turned out to be pancreatitis. I've discovered all kinds of new stuff about myself: acid reflux, hiatal hernia, bulging disks in neck pressing on spinal column, two leaky heart valves. During my Christmas break I am enjoying the company of my GI and Cardiologist, and the staff in radiology.

As I see it, it is imperative to get testing to find the underlying causes of the apnea. I had no idea I even had apnea until my new primary sent me to one of my other new doctors who discovered it. It has reaked havoc on my body. As a runner and someone who everyone looks to as a healthy person, this has been frustrating to say the least.

If you have apnea, get a good thorough screening. Many apnea patients have GI problems. Heck I didn't even know I had any. I had no symptoms or anything. I just had a wise doctor who recognized I wasn't having kidney stones, did the right blood work and sent me to GI. They did the colonoscopy and found all the other before I became symptomatic. If you are not as fortunate as I in having a doctor who really digs, you ask them to dig.

Screenings I would suggest include:

• Physical with primary physician
• Bloodwork - CBC, hepatic panel, thyroid, and any others your doctor deems necessary
• Colonoscopy - you need this at age 50 anyway, and age 40 if family history of colon cancer.
• Anything else your doctor suggests.

My primary has done all this and more. It is amazing how much the body is affected by lack of sleep. Sleep repairs the body and all the stresses placed on it. With years of little sleep, the body will suffer. I can't imagine any insurance company not paying for routine type screenings like these.

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