Respiratory dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

I’m 72 and was diagnosed with MS in 1984. So I’ve had it for 38 years but thinking back I’ve probably had it in the 70s. I read an article the other day that makes sense, I have put the abstract below.

Stanford just completed a sleep study and found that my oxygen level drops to 86% multiple times at night. I am with the pulmonary team at the VA in Palo Alto CA. I have been on a noninvasive ventilator for a few weeks now and my oxygen has been 95% when I check it every morning.

Rich

Respiratory dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

Respiratory dysfunction frequently occurs in patients with advanced multiple sclerosis (MS), and may manifest as acute or chronic respiratory failure, disordered control of breathing, respiratory muscle weakness, sleep disordered breathing, or neurogenic pulmonary edema. The underlying pathophysiology is related to demyelinating plaques involving the brain stem or spinal cord. Respiratory complications such as aspiration, lung infections and respiratory failure are typically seen in patients with long-standing MS.