Vagus nerve stimulation, central apneas, reflux and hiatal hernia could be related?

[weiss27md]

I have a small amount of CAs, less than 5 AHI.  But I think that is causing me chronic fatigue.  Before the chronic fatigue I already had gut issues, diagnosed with GERD in 2007.  Chronic fatigue started in 2014.  Been to many doctors and test done and all negative.  I did have an upper endoscopy done a couple months ago.  Nothing major was found but I do have a hiatal hernia.  I have read that that can stimulate the vagus nerve and cause a central sleep apnea.  Anyone have any experience with this?

[SarcasticDave94]

I can't say I've looked at the nerve issue, by I do or did have severe CA and GERD.

I say do or did have CA because the diagnostic sleep study done last month showed only a few CA. Arranging to get my hard copy soon.

[weiss27md]

Thanks Dave. I can say for myself that I did have GERD way before my fatigue started and got a sleep study. But I did always have sinus issues and bruxism. Hard to say what started what. But I also believe bruxism, reflux, sinus congestion and apnea are also related. If I had to bet it was the reflux first for me. Then that can cause sinus issues. With sinus congestion it can be hard to sleep which can cause bruxism. And then the central apneas could be from the vagus nerve simulation from the reflux. I think I'll go back to my GI doctor and see what he wants to do. Going to see a neurologist too just in case. I've been searching for a solution coming up on 7 years now.

[SarcasticDave94]

Sincere best wishes you get your answers. Forgot to mention GERD is based on a hiatal hernia discovered in my prep for bariatric surgery which included a diagnostic EGD.

[weiss27md]

Dave, so you have noticed a correlation between reflux and sleep apnea? Like your sleep apnea improved after surgery?

[weiss27md]

Relationship between Gastroesophageal Reflux and Central Sleep Apnea

https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1...acts.A1760

https://www.medigraphic.com/cgi-bin/new/...CULO=31356

https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.7504

[SarcasticDave94]

I had new diagnostic sleep study in '17 which was after losing some of the 75 lbs net loss. It roughly halved my AHI from 78 to 35 but I still needed PAP therapy. GERD still there at times. Mostly I sleep on left side and head of bed raised some to keep GERD at bay. On protonix too.

[sheepless]

I can attest to an apparent association between acid reflux and apnea. it had become unbearable by the time I finally started cpap but substantial relief from it was the first improvement in how I felt after cpap. I don't remember exactly, but probably within the first month or so; certainly within 6 months. I still have to avoid certain trigger foods (that I love of course) but it's nothing like back then.

[SevereApnea]

The Vagus Nerve on BBC overseas. Interesting podcast.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3cszv75 is the link, 

or search for CrowdScience HowDoesMyMindTalkToMyBody.mp3.

[JoeyWallaby]

There is massive correlation between sleep apnea, bruxism and GERD, it really sucks