Oh crap

[mrs_sweetpeach]

Even though I've had my CPAP machine for a couple of years, my memory for new events is still somewhat wonky. Some things stick, others don't. And, as far as I can tell, there's no rhyme nor reason for the lapses. This morning I spotted this article on Science Daily.

In short, UCLA researchers have discovered that people with sleep apnea show tissue loss in brain regions that help store memory. Principal investigator Ronald Harper hypothesizes that repeated drops in oxygen lead to the brain injury. During an apnea episode, the brain's blood vessels constrict, starving its tissue of oxygen and causing cellular death. The process also incites inflammation, which further damages the tissue. "The reduced size of the mammillary bodies (structures on the underside of the brain) suggests that they've suffered a harmful event resulting in sizable cell loss," Harper said. "The fact that patients' memory problems continue despite treatment for their sleep disorder implies a long-lasting brain injury."

While the above explains what's going on, continued memory problems is not something I want to have.

Comments

[ahavia.livejournal.com]

Well, that was an interestig read. Not encouraging.
Years ago I had a sleep study and got a CPAP machine. Only used it for a while and then it got to be too much of a pain.
So more recently I kept waking up with panic attacks and have to get up cause I was so freaked out.
March 1 I ended up in the hospital with my 3rd incident of cellulitis in my leg. Same leg. Last 2 times was in 2004. And a repeat of blood clots (2nd & 3rd layer of skin pulled away from each other and sent blood clots out) into my lungs. Happened the 2nd time I had cellulitis. I have very bad asthma so this all was terrible for my lungs. Now I have COPD.
And have a BIPAP machine (mini ventilator for force breathing in and out) and this big oxygen condensor to give me O2 to help me keep breathing and keep the O2 level up to stop this mess in my legs which do not get enough circulation. And I have to keep my diabetis under control.
I am a systems analyst, been doing this kind of work since 1976. I love the job, knowing how computer systems work and finding problems. And it pays well. I am 62 and hope to keep working for 2 to 4 more years. I wonder how many brain cells I have left.
My Sweetie needs a CPAP machine also but so far has resisted. I sent her the link to that article. Thanks. I wish it was more positive.
Ahavia

[mrs-sweetpeach.livejournal.com]

Did you talk your sweetie into getting a CPAP machine? I hope so, of all the stupid things I've done as regards not taking care of myself, putting off going to the doctor when the husband started complaining about my snoring is the one I regret the most most.

I'm obese, I don't exercise, and I have arthritis and far too many allergies, but other than that, I'm surprisingly healthy.

I hope you continue to take good care of yourself.

[ahavia.livejournal.com]

My Sweetie is now using her new CPAP machine, having learned that she feels better when she uses it.
We are both obese, with arthritis and high blood pressure. And don't get enough exercise. But I think we are trying. I know I am. I have lost about 12 lb. recently so that seems to be moving in the right direction.
We all need to take good care.
Ahavia

[mrs-sweetpeach.livejournal.com]

I am so relieved to hear your sweetie is using a CPAP machine. And congratulations on your own weight loss!

On an unrelated topic, did you see your birthday card? It's here on my LJ.

[betagoddess.livejournal.com]

Let's hope you prove to be an exception to this!

::hugs::

[mbumby.livejournal.com]

Try 2. My first composition of this just ... disappeared ...

Yipes. Hope you improve noticeably despite articles like that.

I've never had any sort of memory -- except for slights (and that I attribute to being a scorpio ;-)) I've flunked pop quizzes (which I expected) even though I studied at home and re-read the material in class before the quiz. And this year at Duck, although the spouse remembers the hotel, I have NO memory of it. They say that they have been there 5 years, and since I met Bob T. in the GT suite at Duck -- AFTER I met you -- which was within the last 5 years... I have to believe it was in this hotel... But even knowing that there was nothing familiar.

[mrs-sweetpeach.livejournal.com]

Somewhere or other I think I read an article concerning Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy being used to deeply oxygenate the brain. I'd be interested in spending time in one just to see if it helped, but that would assume that I knew where to find one and that insurance would pay for it.

Before all this I had a pretty good memory and I don't like that I no longer do.

[mbumby.livejournal.com]

Somehow I suspect that that therapy would not be something insurance would jump at the chance to cover. But if you learn anything, please share.

[mrs-sweetpeach.livejournal.com]

It's a deal.