Eosinophilic Esophogitis and apnea

[lynbarnes]

I started cpap last month and was just diagnosed with EoE. It seems the EoE symptoms got a lot worse once I started cpap. EoE is an allergic reaction that can mimic GERD, usually caused by food allergies. I have the dysphagia and impaction, but I haven't been able to find much about it online, especially in conjunction with apnea. I do feel like I may be having aerophagia because of both issues together, but I don't follow up with the gastroenterologist and my sleep doc for two more weeks. Any suggestions, thoughts, ideas? Any suggestions on what to say to the docs? I'm not sure I have food allergies, but I have lots of environmental allergies (trees, grass, weeds) and I was wondering if cpap makes them worse because of the pressure behind the treatment?

[Julie]

Cpap generally makes allergies better, but mostly respiratory related ones. What you have is something different, and I would be careful to discuss it further with your MDs rather than randomly looking on the net for much - not that we (or others out there) aren't 'smart', but your doctors have the actual figures, etc. related to your specific case, as well as your other med history that they put together to diagnose things, make suggestions, decisions, etc... it's not the same as e.g. raising your pressure (of room air) by 1-2 cms.

[kaiasgram]

lynbarnes does not appear to be "randomly" looking for information and s/he is clearly working with his/her doctors.

And there are, in fact, some good sources of information on the internet. For example, this discussion of eosinophilic esophagitis on the website of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. This article includes links to a couple of patient support organizations that are affiliated with the American Academy of AA&I, you might want to check them out too.

I haven't come across any information about a possible relationship between EE and sleep apnea, but that doesn't mean there isn't one. We know that untreated sleep apnea can cause reflux problems in some people, so the general idea that the esophagus can be affected by respiratory factors -- including perhaps various respiratory therapies -- is a fair question. We'll be interested in what you find out when you see your doctors again.

[Julie]

"Any suggestions, thoughts, ideas?" feels pretty random to me... and no one said there wasn't good info on the net, only that it was a good idea, as her doctor had all her lab results, etc., to see what he has to say before charging in and sending the OP off in all directions... after all, I'm sure she's capable of using Google as well as the rest of us.

[lynbarnes]

Just wondering, if the symptoms mirror GERD, should I worry about taking all the precautions of GERD to reduce the likelihood of aerophagia.

Sorry to bother you.

[kaiasgram]

Just wondering, if the symptoms mirror GERD, should I worry about taking all the precautions of GERD to reduce the likelihood of aerophagia.

Sorry to bother you.

lyn, I hope my post didn't convey that you were being a bother! Quite the opposite.

You're asking another good question. In the article I linked to above they say

Proton pump inhibitors, which control the amount of acid produced, have also been used to help diagnose and treat EoE. Some patients respond well to proton pump inhibitors and have a large decrease in the number of eosinophils and inflammation when a follow up endoscopy and biopsy is done. However, proton pump inhibitors can also improve EoE symptoms without making the inflammation any better.

Definitely worth calling your G.I. doc and asking if GERD precautions could be helpful while you're waiting for your next appointment.

[Julie]

Doing that (GERD precautions) has helped some people with aerophagia.