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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Gaining Weight, Constipation, Failing Kidneys. How Can I Help At Home?

Doctor, my husband (42) was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnoea last year. He is 1.86m tall, weighs 180kg with a BMI of 44.8. CPAP was 20cmH2o.REM rebound of 35.9%. His bottom part of his legs from the knees is purple, swollen feet and the last 2 months severe shaking of his legs at night time. He says it feels like cramps and he can t control the shaking at all. He stopped smoking for 2 months now, is off the sweets but is gaining weight fast. He is permanently constipated and his stomage skin is severely tight. He struggle with his CPAP machine as it doesn t give enough oxygen . He has highblood but no diabetes.His cholesterol is 5.9 but according to the blood results his kidneys are failing because of the fat around them. He is restless at night, fighting and moaning in his sleep with snoring and daytime is sleeps more peaceful at times. He has hurt himself several time falling from the bed while fighting in his sleep. He was a firefighter/EMT for 21 yrs. How can I help him at home? We do not have a medical aid and rely on government hospitals and doctors.
Mon, 27 Aug 2012
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Diabetologist 's  Response
Hi There.

Your husband's acute condition of discoloured legs with swelling are suggestive of infection and/or obstruction in the blood flow to the legs. Please do not delay seeing a GP as this might lead to a bigger problem. As of now the CPAP might not be able to help him better due to the infection and hence the restlessness. It is very common for sleep apnea patients to feel sleepy during day time as they do not get quality sleep during night hours. Please give attention to the swollen and discoloured legs first. If any of the doctors you rely on can do bariatric surgery on him then the obesity problem would certainly be addressed and that will solve other problems like sleep apnea, getting blood clots/ obstruction in feet etc. Wish you all the best in taking care of your huband.
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Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Gaining Weight, Constipation, Failing Kidneys. How Can I Help At Home?

Hi There. Your husband s acute condition of discoloured legs with swelling are suggestive of infection and/or obstruction in the blood flow to the legs. Please do not delay seeing a GP as this might lead to a bigger problem. As of now the CPAP might not be able to help him better due to the infection and hence the restlessness. It is very common for sleep apnea patients to feel sleepy during day time as they do not get quality sleep during night hours. Please give attention to the swollen and discoloured legs first. If any of the doctors you rely on can do bariatric surgery on him then the obesity problem would certainly be addressed and that will solve other problems like sleep apnea, getting blood clots/ obstruction in feet etc. Wish you all the best in taking care of your huband.