Posted by Greg (209.98.23.74) on January 19, 2000 at 23:29:45:
In Reply to: REM posted by Rich on January 19, 2000 at 21:39:22:
From my neuro/headache specialist with 20+ years of experience: REM sleep is definately a trigger for cluster while in "season", (This is sometimes true for me),and, sleep apnea is probably not related to cluster. (Comments: I have both cluster and sleep apnea and the relation occured to me as well. 1. Sleep apnea is much more common than once thought and so it is not suprising that some cluster sufferers also have SA. The most common type of SA is "obstructive" and has no relation to the biology of cluster onset. This is why the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) setup is nearly 100% effective in curing SA. 2. The loss of REM sleep, whether from SA or cluster pain, is DANGEROUS. This is especially true over time. Sleep loss deaths number in the tens of thousands but are not reported as such due to the lack of thorough investigation re. cause of death. (Ref, my Pulmunologist) These deaths are not just accidental (ie.car crash, or death by power saw)but biological as well in extreme cases. Point being cluster sufferers who loose sleep must realize that they, and possibally their families, may be at risk due to dulled thinking and reaction times.) Best wishes. Greg L