CPAP in Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients With Polycythemia Vera or Essential Thrombocythemia

This early phase I trial studies how well the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine works in treating obstructive sleep apnea in patients with polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops breathing during sleep, and is estimated to affect 30 to 50 percent of patients with polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia. A patient with obstructive sleep apnea typically snores, has disrupted sleep, experiences morning headaches, and has daytime sleepiness. Patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea are typically treated with a device called CPAP. The CPAP provides pressurized air that keeps upper air passages open during sleep and may prevent them from narrowing or collapsing as occurs during snoring or sleep apnea.