+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: Do steroid hormones improve apnea and/or sleep quality? (/Thread-Do-steroid-hormones-improve-apnea-and-or-sleep-quality)
Do steroid hormones improve apnea and/or sleep quality? - VisitorX - 11-01-2021
I recently did a short course of oral glucocorticoids (dexamethasone) and to my surprise found that my residual (on CPAP) AHI dropped sharply, along with much better sleep. Does anyone know what might have caused this effect? Has anyone else experienced it? A friend without apnea told me that she also experience greatly improved sleep when she did a short course of steroids.
RE: Do steroid hormones improve apnea and/or sleep quality? - Apnealicious - 11-01-2021
I am one of the roughly 5% of people for whom high dose steroids affect me like cocaine. I need very little sleep, am super awake and energized 19-20 hours every day, become obsessed with cleaning and ticking things off my todo list, all while feeling very intoxicated but without loss of balance, and physically much stronger. I use them minimally because I am fearful of addiction, and fearful that I might feel good/strong enough that I can fly if I jump off a building, or run onto the highway to jump on cars and 'ride' them.
Unfortunately I didn't have my CPAP or oximeter the last time (2 months ago) so I can't directly answer this, but I did get by with about 4 hours of sleep per night for 2 weeks, immediately after sinus surgery/anesthesia, with several sleep apnia and hypoxia, and felt absolutely terrific each day. Also, I had the clearest, healthiest looking facial skin that I've had in decades.
But you can't stay on them, they are horrifically bad for many parts of your body.
RE: Do steroid hormones improve apnea and/or sleep quality? - CorruptAlligator - 11-01-2021
Likely benefits from reduced inflammation. Perhaps pain feelings lessened or reduced swelling maming airflow or breathing easier.