Pmr and sleep apnea

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about a year after being diagnosed with PMR. I don’t know how common it is.

My guess was my sleep apnea was related to prednisone weight gain. I put on excess weight around my middle mostly but also in my face and neck area.

I have been on a CPAP machine ever since. I think my sleep apnea has improved since discontinuing prednisone.

Apnea is incredibly common. I have probably had it most of my adult life. My snoring was a family joke. i learned over time that despite my weight at any point, I have obstructive apnea - severe. After my official sleep study years ago the cardiologist told me I had 67 apneic events an hour and fit the profile of those who go to bed and don’t wake up. So I went home with a CPAP. I have a love-hate relationship with it. I love sleeping better and not being tired all day. I hate the strap marks on my face until noon and how my mouth dries out and how the straps destroy my hair every.single.night 🙄🙂

And oh yea - RA has nothing to do with it but some RA meds - like Prednisone - disrupt
my sleep generally. Then I am doubly po’d. I have to wear the contraption but I still don't sleep

I think the prednisone pushed me over the edge. I also have been a good snorer. I am glad that my primary care pushed me to get the sleep study so that I can get treatment, even though it is not easy. Thanks for your support.

I think prednisone pushed me over the edge too. My primary care doctor wanted me to do the sleep study. I didn’t want the sleep study. I claimed that I was an excellent sleep before PMR was diagnosed when I started taking prednisone every day.

I nearly passed my sleep study until they asked me to sleep on my back. Apparently sleeping on my back was a huge problem.

I have been on Cpap since 1980. Pmr dx 3 years ago. Prednisone 11 mg now.