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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Troubled Sleep, Choke When I Sleep, Have Sores And Swollen Ankles From Wrong Sleep Methods. Help?

Hello. I cannot sleep in any position when lying down. My throat seems to close up and I instantly wake choking and gasping for air. Doctors I ve seen have tried to make me fit a box because it s a mystery. I ve been tested for acid reflux , sleep Apnia. Had a tube thing down my throat and quite frankly I baffle people. It s even been suggested that it s a physcological problem- nonsense! It s a physical problem with either my throat relaxing or my tongue dropping or something like that. Life can be miserable sleeping leaning over the back of a chair. I m also developing pressure sores from sitting and never lying down-ah yes and also swollen ankles. I m 68 year old male and this condition has been worsening over a period of years. Is there such a thing as a Doctor who can accept that a codition could exist which blocks off the air supply when one goes to sleep lying down. Particulaly one who understands this is very real
posted on Fri, 4 Jan 2013
Twitter Sat, 5 Oct 2013 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 7 Oct 2013 Last reviewed on
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
The condition you are describing fits into - obstructive sleep apnoea. You needs to get a Polysomnography/ApneaGraph Sleep Study done which can diagnose this and also tell about the severity of problem. After wards drug induced sleep endoscopy or cine MRI can be done to see the site of obstruction and treatment planning which can be surgical or CPAP or both. You also need to loose weight (if you have a high BMI), quit smoking and start some physical exercises (Lifestyle changes). All these things can be done if you visit a sleep specialist/sleep clinic. Sleep in lateral position usually helps so do the raising of head end of your bed.
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Troubled Sleep, Choke When I Sleep, Have Sores And Swollen Ankles From Wrong Sleep Methods. Help?

The condition you are describing fits into - obstructive sleep apnoea. You needs to get a Polysomnography/ApneaGraph Sleep Study done which can diagnose this and also tell about the severity of problem. After wards drug induced sleep endoscopy or cine MRI can be done to see the site of obstruction and treatment planning which can be surgical or CPAP or both. You also need to loose weight (if you have a high BMI), quit smoking and start some physical exercises (Lifestyle changes). All these things can be done if you visit a sleep specialist/sleep clinic. Sleep in lateral position usually helps so do the raising of head end of your bed.