Len - OSA?????help please.
Cheryl Hynes
Patrick is in hospital right now, having a sleep study done, to rule
out/diagnose sleep apnea.
A quick history: he has always been a snorer, but never too bad. He slept
really well until about a year ago (weren't we all - teehee)when his
sisters were born. He had given up his daytime naps for a bout half a year,
at that point. I remember that distinctly, because I was wishing he'd go
for a nap, while my body was growing two babies and I needed them - but
alas!
Anyway, after his sisters came along, his sleep went down the toilet.
Obviously, we attributed it to the new additions.
About three-four months ago, however, I started to question that, because
instead of getting better, the sleep problems got worse.
He has a terribly restless sleep, with some interesting sleep positions.
His favorite position seems to be three-quarters of the way on his back,
with his head right back between his shoulderblades. HIs second favorite is
standing next to the bed, bent over at the waist, with his head and torso
on the bed.
We were referred to a respirologist, who suspected OSA, and mentioned that
he has fairly large tonsils that separate when he says "ahhh", but fall
back together when at rest. He sent him to a ENT surgeon who did x-rays and
said he has "tremendous" adenoids.
Now here's my dilemma: he had a sleep study done Monday night and the
respirologist says there was no idication of OSA. His O2 sats went down
below 90 3-4 times in a 20 minute period, but came back up to 92-93 again.
However, the apnea monitor went off several times, because of low
heartrate. (all this info is second-hand through dear hubby, who is doing
his duty at the hospital, as I am still home with two nursing babies...)
Kevin said Patrick's resting heartrate was around 60, and went well below
that often while he was asleep. I dunno - that sounds very slow to me.....?
Also, the respirologist detected a murmur that wasn't there before. Now, I
know most murmurs are innocent, but when it's MY kid, nothing is
innocent.....He mentioned doing a full cardiac workup on him while he is in
hospital, but looked at his records and saw that he had one done at 8
months of age. He said that one, which ruled out cardiac problems, was
sufficient.
Sooooo, what's wrong with the kid?
There is SOMETHING happening. Patrick, who used to LOVE to go for walks,
now, either says he doesn't want to go, or whines his way through them,
sitting down at five minute intervals, or trying to get into the (already
full) wagon with the girls. We went for a (very) short walk two weeks ago,
and when we were almost home (fifteen minutes after we left), he was sooo
tired, he was literally screeching.
He is hyper during the day, because (and I know how this feels- i've been
sleep deprived for the past year) if he stops for more than 5 minutes, he
falls asleep. He can't make it through a full day without napping at least
once.
Also, he had a CBC and a smear done about fourmonths ago that ruled out
leukemia, because he had (and still has) recurring petecheia.
I've sent Kevin back to the hospital today with a list of questions, as
they are going to do the study again tonight.
But, I'd like your read on the situation as well.
If the apnea monitor was screeching regularly through the night (to which,
Kevin, who looked like hell the next day, can attest), and waking him up,
isn't is possible that Patrick never got into a really deep sleep, deep
enough for everything to relax and obstruct his airway?
And about the heart rate - what would the regular, resting heart rate of a
4 year old be, anyway? How low should it safely go during sleep?
How low should O2 sats go before it would be considered dangerous -
requiring surgery to remove tonsils and adenoids?
Is there anything else I should be asking the doctors?
Sorry this is so long, but I figure the more info you have the better able
you would be to answer my questions. And I really need answers. If it's not
OSA, I'm scared to find out what it is.
Thanks, Len, (and anyone else who's made it this far..)
I hope Avi's doing well.
Take care,
Cheryl (mom to Julia, 8, Patrick, 4, and Kate and Laura, 14 months)
mailto:chy...@nfld.com
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/8190
*May those that love us, love us and those that don't love us,
may God turn their hearts, and if He doesn't turn their hearts,
may He turn their ankles, so we'll know them by their limping.*
-
Gaelic blessing