Effects of Elevation on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

[Jan]

I moved to Grand Canyon, Arizona about three (3) years ago from Albuquerque, New Mexico. What was supposed to be a dream turned into a nightmare. Over the past three (3) years I have had increasing problems with my memory, cognitve abilities, extreme fatigue, numerous night time wakenings, numbness/tingle in left face and arm, etc. to the point where I have been demoted at work, can't finish my college course work, and a complete halt to my social life and activities. I saw numerous Doctors, who after running just basic blood tests, suggested that I see a councilor.

I finally got the attention of a PA this past summer after a fall which resulted in a severe bruise and blood clot. He was willing to look further and to refer me to other professionals. The outcome was a Sleep Study which demonstrated that I have Sleep Apnea (especially during REM with low oxygen level into the 70s). I have just started CPAP theropy and hope it will do the trick so I can regain my life and career.

This is a long winded why of leading to my question(s). Does elevation affect the severity of Sleep Apnea? Why did it not really affect me in Albuquerque? At least I could function there. Albuqueque's elevation is a bit over 5,280', while Grand Canyon is about 7,000'.

[Becky]

Just a thought - but is the climate a lot drier there? I live in a moister climate, but when I travel to a drier place, like in Denver, my nose is much more stuffed up. This also seems to make my sleep apnea worse. Even with a CPAP machine running, if a persons nose is plugged, no air is going in & out very well!

[Jan]

Both Albuquerque and Grand Canyon are dry desert climates. The only significant difference is the elevation. Even do better when I go down to Phoenix, which is dryer than up here. What I'm hoping to find is some medical documentation discussing the affect of elevation on my condition. Thanks for your thoughts.