Diagnosed with sleep apnea

[apprehensiveengineer]

To be fair, you can not know you have asthma. The only real way to tell is doing objective testing. I also didn't think I had celiac disease because I ate bread at every meal and assumed that someone with celiac would be dead if they did that for 20+ years.

I didn't have asthma attacks like they show in movies/TV (movies/TV aren't real, whodathunk!). I was/am a high level athlete in a sport where success is largely predicated on your lungs working well. The only obvious sign that lead to my diagnosis was sleep apnea. I guess I did have more trouble breathing than most of my teammates, but I thought it was just because I was working harder.  

As per this review article, someone with asthma is almost 4x more likely to have an obstructive sleep disorder than a person without asthma. Since there are relatively low-risk medications that can help with asthma (that in my experience did help with comorbid apnea issues), it might be worthwhile to rule it out:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5481327/

[plumbago]

Wellllll, I think I would know if my bronchioles were malfunctioning and I was clogged with mucus!

There are direct physical signs that can diagnose asthma (hyperexpansion of the chest, and expiratory wheezing heard on auscultation of the chest, and so on). And as I said, I did do some of my own PFTs.

We know what the symptoms are of an acute asthma attack and I’ve never had them outside of having a respiratory infection - chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and mucus production.

I don’t have symptoms during exercise or at night, I don’t have symptoms two or less times per week (intermittent). In fact, I have no symptoms. I don’t have a chronic cough, recurrent croup, recurrent pneumonia, or wheezy bronchitis, nor is there a family history of asthma. I'll take a look, but I'm afraid I will have to repeat what I said earlier - sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Thanks.

 

 

[Posterboy]

Plumbago,

We are just trying to be helpful.

Sometimes as you say a "Cigar is just a Cigar".

How is your Iron?

Your Hemoglobin seemed to be on the low normal side.

Here is a study on Iron status and sleep quality.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4480468/

I hope it is helpful.

I don't think you have really bad sleep apnea or your C-reactive proteins would be higher or according to this this research that I came across that says C-RP proteins should be elevated in OSAS.

Here is the research entitled "Elevated levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome are decreased by nasal continuous positive airway pressure."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12615790?dopt=Abstract

they concluded

CONCLUSIONS:

"Levels of CRP and IL-6 and spontaneous production of IL-6 by monocytes are elevated in patients with OSAS but are decreased by nCPAP. Therefore, OSAS is associated with increased risks for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and nCPAP may be useful for decreasing these risks." and your C-RP was low normal.

Something doesn't match up?

Again I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advice.

Posterboy,

[plumbago]

The study states, "In patients with OSAS, the primary factors influencing levels of CRP were severity of OSAS and body mass index and those influencing levels of IL-6 were body mass index and nocturnal hypoxia." (I did note that we don’t have the hard numbers from that abstract.)

And did you notice it said severity of OSAS and BMI? My post from Nov 2, indicated my BMI varies from 20 to 21. I think it’s key that I’m not overweight. And yes, my sleep apnea was tested at the severe level. While I was in disbelief initially I do have to act on the assumption that it’s accurate and take the appropriate steps for my health.

I know you’re trying to be helpful, and I appreciate it. But when I just posted results of the very test you recommend, I sometimes wonder if anyone’s reading what others are writing! As far as being on the low end of normal, hey, normal’s normal, that’s just where I “live.” As long as I am in range, that’s fine. In October, I donated blood, and my hemoglobin was 13.4.

The asthma connection is indeed an interesting one, and I believe there’s something to that, generally. Just not in my case (to quote a favorite British film from long ago that I've since forgotten the title of, "allow me to know"). Most of what I could find out there takes asthmatics as the starting point, as opposed to those with OSA. There was however one study (from the Middle East, so it was mostly men) that took OSA people as the starting point and then tested them for asthma. For those OSA'ers who had asthma, and there were a lot, the determining RF was obesity.

It's all food for thought, and I have already been planning to get "official" PFTs done at my follow up pulmonology appt. in December.

Plumbago is my all time favorite plant. When I saw it, I instantly fell in love with it. The color is incomparable!
 

[cyclinglady]

Not everyone has to be obese to have Sleep Apnea.  Just like not all undiagnosed celiacs are thin.  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/12/AR2009061203267.html

[plumbago]

1 hour ago, cyclinglady said:

Not everyone has to be obese to have Sleep Apnea.  Just like not all undiagnosed celiacs are thin.  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/12/AR2009061203267.html

Exactly. Am I not making myself clear? I mentioned the obesity in relation to the previous posters' linkages to CRP and asthma.

[apprehensiveengineer]

Er... a study on celiac disease would say that the biggest risk factors are being white and female, but that doesn't mean that men or POCs can't have celiac. Epidemiology alone isn't a good way to rule out illnesses.

The study does not say that people who have asthma and sleep apnea are always overweight, just that it is a significant risk factor. Being overweight means that your muscles must work harder for you to breathe/maintain open airways, and so it is not a surprise that this can be a tipping factor in predisposed individuals, or exacerbate respiratory illness. I am quite thin, very fit, don't have any official asthma relatives. Asthma, like many allergic disorders isn't something that's been on doctors' radars (unless you're ER sick) until recently, so a lack of ancestors with asthma isn't especially meaningful.

As I say, the only way to know for sure is to be tested. It is good that you will be having this done in any case. Hopefully it will yield some answers for you.

[GFinDC]

Hi Plumbago.

I have trouble swallowing food sometimes.  I think that was caused by a vitamin deficiency, maybe B-12 or Vitamin D or both.  I take vitamin D supplements to try and keep my levels up.  I don't know if my swallowing problem will ever go away completely but it does vary some in severity.  I know that it's not sleep apnea but maybe there is a tie-in to it?

I had a friend who used a CPAP machine and it took him a while to get used to it.  But he did and it helped him.

I think using the machine is a lot better option than not breathing.

[Posterboy]

11 hours ago, GFinDC said:

I have trouble swallowing food sometimes.  I think that was caused by a vitamin deficiency, maybe B-12 or Vitamin D or both.  I take vitamin D supplements to try and keep my levels up.  I don't know if my swallowing problem will ever go away completely but it does vary some in severity.  I know that it's not sleep apnea but maybe there is a tie-in to it?

I had a friend who used a CPAP machine and it took him a while to get used to it.  But he did and it helped him.

I think using the machine is a lot better option than not breathing.

GFinDC,

You might not be far wrong with the B-12 that and Iron possibly.

Here is some research I came across that might help you.

"A Case of Plummer-Vinson Syndrome Showing Rapid Improvement of Dysphagia and Esophageal Web after Two Weeks of Iron Therapy."

https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/364820

An this research entitled "Dysphagia resolved with vitamin B12 therapy: a case of esophageal parakeratosis"

https://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0030-1256285

Here is one on EOE.

entitled "A rare cause of chronic dysphagia: eosinophilic esophagitis"

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4171690/

And here is an older on the pathology of the Esophagus.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2084620

when they just called Eosinophilic of the  Esophagitis just plain Esophagitis before the term EoE was a diagnosis.

I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advice.

As always 2 Timothy 2: 7 “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” this included

Posterboy by the Grace of God,

[Posterboy]

On 11/17/2018 at 9:32 AM, plumbago said:

But when I just posted results of the very test you recommend, I sometimes wonder if anyone’s reading what others are writing! As far as being on the low end of normal, hey, normal’s normal, that’s just where I “live.” As long as I am in range, that’s fine. In October, I donated blood, and my hemoglobin was 13.4.

The asthma connection is indeed an interesting one, and I believe there’s something to that, generally. Just not in my case (to quote a favorite British film from long ago that I've since forgotten the title of, "allow me to know"). Most of what I could find out there takes asthmatics as the starting point, as opposed to those with OSA. There was however one study (from the Middle East, so it was mostly men) that took OSA people as the starting point and then tested them for asthma. For those OSA'ers who had asthma, and there were a lot, the determining RF was obesity.

Plumbago,

I quoted that selection because they too had similar conditions.

They were serum normal but still benefited from supplementation of B-12 but I agree with you it is probably not the B-12 or your Homocysteine levels would be elevated too?

The low normal hemoglobin might be a sign.

Here is a study about "Anemia of Aging" that shows low normal Hemoglobin to be key in diagnosing OSA in older individuals entitled "Anemia of aging and obstructive sleep apnea"

Linked here for your study

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11325-010-0326-7

I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advice.

Posterboy,

[Posterboy]

Plumbago and Apprehensive Engineer,

I have found a study that unites the theory between OSAS and Asthma.

I found it last week but have not had a time to post it until now.

entitled the "Pulmonary manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease".

Hidden down in the "Other Respiratory" paragraph is the discussion about how GERD and OSAS can be linked conditions.

You might even have only Silent GERD or "Chronic Cough" but aspirations into your trachea could cause your airways to become constricted leading to your OSAS conditions triggered by the initial heartburn/GERD conditions.

Here also a research article about this topic from 2008.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279464553_Obstructive_Sleep_Apnea_Syndrome_and_Gastroesophageal_Reflux_Disease

Notice their conclusion. I cant' quote it without formatting problems.

The below quotation from their introduction with formatting cleaned up.

"The prevalence of GERD in patients with OSAS is significantly  higher  than  the general

population. For example, 21 patients with sleep-disorder-ed breathing were found to have GERD (33.3% of snorers, 64.3% of patients with OSAS)."

 

This makes the most sense to me and why I asked you if you are taking PPIs?

But I still think Magnesium Glycinate (easiest to take) form of Magnesium will help if our magnesium test is giving you a false positive.

 

See this thread where I discuss the issues with supplementation.

 

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/120262-shocked-elevated-ttg/

 

and I will quote from some of it so you don't have to read it now.

 

"and why we have two camps essentially (I am speaking in simple terms here for an easy example/analogy)

the supplementors like Ennis_tx and I and the non-supplementors (first, do no harm)

and why We LOVE magnesium with good reason (ennis_tx and I).  It really, really, really, works.

but the non-supplementing camp has to be convinced, really convinced that it can help them.

And often Ennis_tx and I loose that battle for a number of reasons.

Mainly because there are so many, so many forms of Magnesium it is extremely hard to find a "good" bioavailable form with minimal downside risk like Magnesium "flushing" that can be common in higher doses of Magnesium.

so as expert/experienced supplemetnors we pass own our knowledge of Magnesium Glycinate or Magnesium Citrate in divided doses (ie. with each meal) that helps us with our fatigue, energy, cramps, and sleep problems etc.

but the flushing effect of magnesium (Citrates) follows the motto/adage "do no harm" and many will not take it . . . though it does "TONS" more good than it every could do harm.

so it is hard to win the fight if you aren't willing to risk something in return. ie. supplementing with the missing ingredient (whatever that is).

truth is . . . we might not know at the time what is is or ever."

It is me again quote ended.

If you read some of my other links ( I know who has the time)

see this simaron research link

http://simmaronresearch.com/2015/08/epstein-barr-virus-the-magnesium-connection/

It explains very well why you can test "normal" for magnesium but still be low in it.

quoting

"The vast majority (95%) of the magnesium in our body is bound in our cells but it’s the 5% that’s unbound that makes the difference in our immune response.  The XMEN patients studied – some of whom had developed lymphoma – had normal levels of bound magnesium in their cells but reduced levels of unbound magnesium."

 

taking Magnesium Glycinate 2/day for a couple weeks will/could really help your sleep quality/issues by producing REM and vivid dreams.

 

The Magnesium will have physiological response in the body if you are low in it even if your tests show normal.

 

I know almost No-One who takes it (Magnesium) who doesn't benefit from it. When taken in a highly bioavailable form like Magnesium Glycinate.

 

That is why I suggested to be conservative and try Epsom Salts first .... to see if Magnesium is low (but your tests) were not ... .this would test the theory?

 

Be conservative and only take it (Magnesium Glyciante) 2/day for the first 2 weeks to see how your body responds.

 

Since Magnesium Glycinate does not flush the way Magnesium Citrate(s) can  ..... .it can be upped to each meal and bedtime after two weeks.

 

IF you do not have kidney issue(s) . . .the body actively self regulate through the kidneys your magnesium levels then taking Magnesium Gylcinate will not hurt you.

 

But I can't decide that for you.  You will  have to decide that for yourself.

 

I can only tell you it helped ME tremendously.  I think Ennis_tx would concur and IT helps my friends who will take it!

 

But sadly only about a 1/3 of my friends (if that) will try Magnesium because of the issues of finding the right bioavailable form and the "flushing" that comes with taking Magnesium Citrate(s) in higher amounts especially on an empty stomach.

 

As I said I Posterboy blog post "You are not a Pike! You can decide for yourself. Knowledge is power!"

 

https://www.celiac.com/blogs/entry/2154-medical-mysteries-and-shadowlands-the-posterboys-story-of-pellagra-and-celiac-disease-being-co-morbid-in-the-same-person-to-educate-is-to-free/

 

Now what will you do with it?  Most people would/might conclude I would (take the Vitamin/Mineral (in this case aka Magnesium) ..... but you/I can't do (generally) what we don't believe in?

 

You must take a leap of faith and try the Magnesium Glycinate form or try the Espom Salts to trial this theory? or Wonder if it is possible (despite) what your "normal tests" show?

 

I quoted the B-12 research because at NO time did their serum levels change . . .. but their sleep quality DID!

 

This is after 10 or 12 years of suffering and their sleep quality improved on supplementation.

 

I believe this is the case for Magnesium in probably 75% of the population.

 

We are said to "Waste away" without enough Magnesium because the Krebs cycle is interrupted in our bodies and we can no longer make enough energy to function properly. . ..

 

Living at otherwise sub-clinical "healthy" levels that is far, far from healthy.

 

Much like Knitty Kitty has to have higher Vitamin D than is "normal" to feel better.

 

The standards or (tests) are set so low that by the time you know you are low in Vitamin D or Magnesium in this (your) case . . .you are already sick?

 

This is not medical advice but I hope it is helpful.

As always“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” this included.

2 Timothy 2: 7

I truly hope it helps you (if) you have faith to take it (Magnesium Glycinate) despite your seemingly "normal" levels though as I quoted/noted earlier in this thread.

From this research on Magnesium supplementation in Vitamin D deficiency.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28471760

"Screening for chronic magnesium deficiency is difficult because a normal serum level may still be associated with moderate to severe deficiency. To date, there is no simple and accurate laboratory test to determine the total body magnesium status in humans."

And this sense makes the most sense to me. . ..it is too easy not to try.

But few, very few ever do ... when they think they levels are already normal?

So why would I supplement?

I have rambled on long enough again, ,, . .. and again it is always too long!

Plumbago KNOW I would help you in any way if I could.

But you are going to have to decide this for yourself!

"Learn from my mistakes!" I always say.  I know how to supplement with Magnesium because I have supplemented wrong first myself!

Posterboy by the grace of God,

[ch88]

On 11/25/2018 at 6:23 PM, Posterboy said:

I believe this is the case for Magnesium in probably 75% of the population.

Why do you think this? Your posts are confusing Posterboy. I don't know much about sleep apnea but I assume there are other possible causes that have nothing to do with vitamin deficiencies. Some could well be linked to a deficiency. Why are you so sure it is magnesium or vitamins in this particular case and not something else? If you are not sure, I would make clear in your posts. Just say "this is something that some people with sleap apnea have found helpful and here is why I think you should try it..." 

[Posterboy]

34 minutes ago, ch88 said:

Why do you think this? Your posts are confusing Posterboy. I don't know much about sleep apnea but I assume there are other possible causes that have nothing to do with vitamin deficiencies. Some could well be linked to a deficiency. Why are you so sure it is magnesium or vitamins in this particular case and not something else? If you are not sure, I would make clear in your posts. Just say "this is something that some people with sleap apnea have found helpful and here is why I think you should try it..." 

 

34 minutes ago, ch88 said:

I believe this is the case for Magnesium in probably 75% of the population

Ch88,

the studies show approx. this number.

I was quoting from memory.

see this link that explains how many are thought to be low in Magnesium in the US.

but I will quote the relevant statistics form this link and the NIH shortly.

https://www.dietvsdisease.org/best-magnesium-supplement/

quoting

"However, survey studies show that approximately 68% of US adults do not consume the RDA.

In fact, 1 in 5 people consume less than half of the recommendations (3)."

If you are not consuming the RDA you are diffidently low and the RDA might even too low to even keep you healthy.

the CDA (Canadian RDA) is 600mgs.

 Now from the NIH fact page on Magnesium.

quoting

"Assessing magnesium status is difficult because most magnesium is inside cells or in bone [3]. The most commonly used and readily available method for assessing magnesium status is measurement of serum magnesium concentration, even though serum levels have little correlation with total body magnesium levels or concentrations in specific tissues [6]. Other methods for assessing magnesium status include measuring magnesium concentrations in erythrocytes, saliva, and urine; measuring ionized magnesium concentrations in blood, plasma, or serum; and conducting a magnesium-loading (or “tolerance”) test. No single method is considered satisfactory [7]. Some experts [4] but not others [3] consider the tolerance test (in which urinary magnesium is measured after parenteral infusion of a dose of magnesium) to be the best method to assess magnesium status in adults. To comprehensively evaluate magnesium status, both laboratory tests and a clinical assessment might be required [6]."

I know what low Magnesium levels did for me and have seen it work/help my friends but I can't say it will help you.  .....

So I tell everybody this is "not medical advice" but this should help.

And it has helped me and my friends including others' on this board.

It is is difference between casual association. . ..the studies say there is a casual (occurs with) but even GOOD medical studies almost NEVER say it (where ever is being studied) that is Cause(s) this or that.

More studies will be needed. . .while people continue to suffer and suffer sometimes years and when supplementation can quickly and easily bee done NOW.

the biggest problem (in most proper supplementation regimens) is finding the proper form of the Vitamin/Mineral.

You can take Magnesium all day long . .. even if Magnesium is causing sleep Apnea ... and it still wont' help you in the wrong form because it is not bioavaible.

see these resources/links I was getting up for healthysquirrel and the above link by the dietitian on disease vs. diet link.

so I try and tell them of the form they should take if they want Magnesium to help them.

see this link entitled "Magnesium bioavailability from magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2407766

quoting

"Thus, magnesium citrate was more soluble and bioavailable than magnesium oxide."

You can take a Magnesium oxide all day long and it won't help anything!

and because Magnesium is also needed for Calcium and Potassium usage according to the NIH then when low in Magnesium these other ions can't be properly utilized by the body.

quoting

"Magnesium also plays a role in the active transport of calcium and potassium ions across cell membranes, a process that is important to nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm" [3]

and electroyte imbalance occurs when there is not magnesium to keep "balance". ...

I don't have any more time tonight to discuss it in more detail.

the mgwater site has a great article on it.

http://www.mgwater.com/schroll.shtml

but carolyn dean has a nice work/book on Magnesium called the Magnesium miracle if  you want to learn more about it and George Ebby has alot of great online resersach

he (ebby) has actually written research papers on his use of Magnesium to treat his major depression issues and where I first learnt about the many benefits of Magnesium.

entitled "Rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16542786/

but note it/his work is /in/on a medical hypothesis cite because most medical journals don't study vitamins/minerals as rule because they are studying medicines instead which replace (or try too) the role of  a Vitamin in the body.

It should help those who find a good bioavailble form. .. .but a good B-complex can/should help too!

Sometimes it is not always one thing . ... but I have found taking a B-complex and Magnesium has greatly helped me!

and as long as any one is low in Magnesium a B-Vitamin etc. then they are losing the war on that front.

I wrote a blog post about it (a B-Vitamin deficiency) that goes into more detail.

https://www.celiac.com/blogs/entry/2124-is-non-celiac-gluten-sensitivity-andor-celiac-disease-really-pellagra-in-disguise-in-the-21st-century-a-thoughtful-review-of-whether-to-supplement-or-to-not-supplement-by-the-posterboy-of-both-celiac-and-pellagra-a-fellow-sufferers-journey-to-peace/

the same is true for Magnesium until you find the right form and are willing to supplement then you can't know for sure .... if it is a deficiency that is causing your problem.

But a man with "two watches" is never sure.  Having a Vitamin? or Mineral deficiency produces its on "set" of symptom's.

That overlap with with any disease/symptoms you might have now and if by supplementing you can eliminate symptom's and improve your heath at the same time why wouldn't you at least try?

Is my point and to share what I have learned by taking "all the wrong forms" first to try and help those willing to supplement to find the "right" forms that can/should and I believe? will when they find the right form(s).

Again I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advice.

2 Corinthians (KJV) 1:3,4 3) “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4) who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble (starfish/sufferer), by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are I comforted of God.”

I am just trying to be an advocate for those still suffering (many times unnecessarily) probably if the research is right in 68% of Americans.

I find if it helps you then it will  help others too!

Posterboy by the grace of God,

[plumbago]

On 12/15/2018 at 11:18 PM, ch88 said:

I don't know much about sleep apnea but I assume there are other possible causes that have nothing to do with vitamin deficiencies. Some could well be linked to a deficiency. Why are you so sure it is magnesium or vitamins in this particular case and not something else?

I find that responders often do not listen to what is said in responses or in original posts. My magnesium levels and other labs were posted and I know I don't have asthma. Neither of those things mattered. As long as something unexpected happened to someone then it has happened to me, and nothing I can say is anything other than meaningless noise until someone's suspicion is either cleared or verified by a lab or doctor. I find the whole thing tiresome and I have used this forum much less than before because of it.

Plumbago

[GFinDC]

Hi Plumbago,

My friend that uses a CPAP started using it after throat surgery.  He had a tumor in his throat they removed and then they put him on the CPAP machine.  He was a smoker too so that probably had something to do with the whole thing for him.

I hope the elephant is getting used to you now and letting you sleep better.  Maybe if you leave some peanuts out for it by the bed it will behave?

Merry Christmas!

[Awol cast iron stomach]

On 11/16/2018 at 9:12 PM, plumbago said:

Wellllll, I think I would know if my bronchioles were malfunctioning and I was clogged with mucus!

There are direct physical signs that can diagnose asthma (hyperexpansion of the chest, and expiratory wheezing heard on auscultation of the chest, and so on). And as I said, I did do some of my own PFTs.

We know what the symptoms are of an acute asthma attack and I’ve never had them outside of having a respiratory infection - chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and mucus production.

I don’t have symptoms during exercise or at night, I don’t have symptoms two or less times per week (intermittent). In fact, I have no symptoms. I don’t have a chronic cough, recurrent croup, recurrent pneumonia, or wheezy bronchitis, nor is there a family history of asthma. I'll take a look, but I'm afraid I will have to repeat what I said earlier - sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Thanks.

 

 

Just giving my 2 cents  I know I am late to the post , but maybe it can help someone in the future. In the past several decades, I had 2 Dr's diagnose me with asthma on symptoms only and prescribe inhalers. They never seemed to help and I didn't use them. ?

During my gluten challenge, another IgE allergy testing(most current), and food intolerance s etc adventure my Dr. didn t just assume I had asthma based on medical history and last diagnosis alone. This Dr. actually gave me a computerized Spirometry testing ( one of her areas of expertise is asthma as well. ) I don't have asthma, I watched it all on screen for myself as well as. lung and breathing function is great. Dr. Confirming this.

I get shortness of breath based on airborne environmental allergens. It is shortness of breath, but not asthma.  It takes a Dr. that takes the time and attention to properly test, observe, and evaluate as necessary.  Not one that writes a script based on inquiry of symptoms, without testing the patients actual lung function with inhalation and exhalation.

She also discovered I am not allergic to dogs . I was once told by one Dr I'm allergic to dogs. Two others found I was not.  Again this Dr. Was thorough. I am actually reacting  to what the dogs eats aka gluten. This was brought to light to explain my issues with a friends hypoallergenic dog who was low allergen caused me issues. The dog adored me and therefore would crawl in my lap and lick me .  Once my celiac testing occured, intolerance diagnosed, and gluten removed from home and an insanely strict gluten cc avoidance lifestyle for me. It all came to light. A few months after My challenge a family members' dog licked me one day . My skin got red, itchy, burning and pre dh  eruption like feeling at the exact site of lick-bingo clarity?

Low and behold mystery solved. It's the dogs salvia residual gluten food not the actual dog dander.?

My cats eat grain free (more than gluten-free) for me. Thanks babies? . As for the dog walkers of the world, I compliment their pooch, but (simply say I will refrain from a pet as I am "allergic" it is easiest for strangers with friendly dogs) Those who know my celiac and multiple intolerance s and allergy details know the complexity of the issues and my  dog contact avoidance. My friends with gluten eating pets often let the dog out of our me in another room to help me avoid a friendly lick.

It can take decades, several Dr's, and thorough process of elimination to put all this together for each of us. Frustrating I know.

So yes one can have shortness of breath, and not asthma in my experience. And also not a dog dander IgE allergy, but a reaction to a gluten eating dog lick.

Good luck ?

[Posterboy]

Plumbago,

I don't remember what you said about your Potassium levels? Are they Low? (I tried looking in your test results) but I guess I overloooked them.

Sometime people using a diuretic can get low in Potassium.  Low Potassium Levels have also been tied to sleep quality.  It is how my friend was diagnosed with his OSA.

Here is some research about the possible Potassium connections.  Drinking Orange Juice is a good way to get more Potassium in your diet.

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/hypokalemia#1

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070525211559.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1947601

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5015289/

association/correlation does means causation. .. but it is something else to look for anyway.

I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advice.

Posterboy,