Misdiagnosed Medical Condition

My cousin in NYC, has been complaining of fatigue for 4 years. She's been dismissed by 4 primary care MDs and 3 nuerologists as being "depressed." She was skeptical of a condition called Sleep Apnea(which can lead to major difficulties) and mentioned it to all of the MDs. Each one dismissed it as not possible and she continued to suffer. After becoming nearly housebound, having memory & learning difficulties, asthmatic, constantly fatigued, she passed on several lucrative job opportunities in favor for a part time, dead end job(the only one she could do given her lassitude). She met a new MD who suggested she be tested for sleep apnea. To her astonishment, she was diagnosed with sleep apnea and now she must sleep every night with a bulky mask that looks like scuba gear, and a machine that blows air in her nose all night. She is also worried about the future long-term problems(heart-disease, hypertention, diabetes, High blood pressure, etc.) she may face as a result of this condition. Does she have a case against the many doctors who missed this potentially hazardous condition?

Sleep apnea does not cause heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, or any other chronic illness. It is a condition of the upper airway becoming blocked during sleep for periods greater than 20 sec. Eventually the pressure buildup from the muscles trying to breath will open the airway and normal breathing will return. This causes the person to wake up and over the entire night this will occur many times resulting in poor rest. The person will be tired during the day from "lack of sleep". The CPAP mask or BIPAP uses a continuous flow of air under pressure to keep the airways open and prevent the apnea episodes. The problem is fixed in most people after they get used to wearing the mask but it does not cause any other illnesses.