Mild sleep apnea, severe symptoms?

Hi! It's me again, Jane. I'm just trying to figure out a few things about my new diagnosis. The doctor told me I have mild sleep apnea, 7 AHI, but that during REM it was 26.5. My symptoms are severe though, extreme fatigue, headaches and dizziness at times. Does anyone else have a "mild" diagnosis with "severed" symptoms? Is this common?

JaneAsimov wrote:Hi! It's me again, Jane. I'm just trying to figure out a few things about my new diagnosis. The doctor told me I have mild sleep apnea, 7 AHI, but that during REM it was 26.5. My symptoms are severe though, extreme fatigue, headaches and dizziness at times. Does anyone else have a "mild" diagnosis with "severed" symptoms? Is this common?

Doesn't matter....mild, moderate, severe...CPAP treatment can help.

LSAT wrote:

JaneAsimov wrote:Hi! It's me again, Jane. I'm just trying to figure out a few things about my new diagnosis. The doctor told me I have mild sleep apnea, 7 AHI, but that during REM it was 26.5. My symptoms are severe though, extreme fatigue, headaches and dizziness at times. Does anyone else have a "mild" diagnosis with "severed" symptoms? Is this common?

Doesn't matter....mild, moderate, severe...CPAP treatment can help.

Thanks LSAT for helping to quell my anxiety. I have felt sick for so long, and I'm having such a hard time with my CPAP. I need some encouragement that things will get better, because right now, I just want to give up!

The severity of symptoms do not necessarily reflect the severity of the disease (as determined by lab tests) for Sleep Apnea or just about any other disease!

Hi- I had all the same symptoms you have, and some others. I was worried about falling asleep while driving too. My AHI was around 33. With treatment, now feel none of those old symptoms. Just keep using your machine, let your body recover. It takes time and is different for each of us.
How do you feel now? What is your treated AHI?

I have pretty much the same diagnosis as you. Have woken up tired etc. for as long as I can remember and pretty much just got used to it. Finally did a sleep study a few months ago and got the same low AHI in general but spikes to high during REM and some restless leg etc. Got a loaner auto machine (S9 w/ humidifier) for the 6 week trial and just did a second sleep study with the CPAP to see if it helped. Definitely it has lowered the AHI (down to 0.8 avg) based on the limited info from the loaner. Tried a few masks, initially a full face which leaked a lot, then a nasal one which was better but irritated around my nose. Currently trying nasal pillows due to pressure not going much above 10. Only used them one night and they were more comfortable in general but irritated my nostrils a bit, but everything takes time to get used to right.

I would say though I still feel tired, however only been using it for a month or so and as a trial. I did have to travel and didn't take the loaner with me as I didn't want anything to happen to it (or I'd have to pay for it) and definitely felt worse in the morning without it, so I think it is helping but will take a while to get adjusted and full benefit.

Follow up with sleep Dr in a week and then see about buying a machine and getting it all set up correctly. Probably shoot for an auto if the prescription covers it. Here (Ontario, Canada) provincial health care covers 75% of the cost then insurance will cover most of the rest, so hopefully not too expensive in the end.

I've always felt a bit concerned that the AHI being averaged over the night can give one a false sense of security. Even if it's only for a couple hours a night during REM, your body is going through a very rough time when untreated. Also, much of our REM comes later in our sleep, so it makes sense we could wake feeling pretty bad. The reason we all respond differently with our symptoms could be the many variables, such as how long we've been untreated, how low our oxygen drops, how many events cause arousals, etc. A person with a lower event count could be more affected if more of their events cause arousal. Hard to compare. As far as you being discouraged with your CPAP thusfar, I'd just like to encourage you to continue to trouble shoot and seek solutions. I know it is frustrating - I tried to quit at about 5 months in but had to start back as my symptoms were so bad, and that was when my diagnosis was still mild. And for some OSA is progressive. Over the past 10 years mine has gone from mild to moderate to severe. Hang in there.

JaneAsimov wrote:...because right now, I just want to give up!

Ohhhh, don't do that!! You poor thing - I'm sending you lots of stick with it karma!!
I'm not sure how long you have been using it for, how you are tolerating it etc. but, I'm 6 months in - and I am never, ever, ever giving my machine back - ever ever!!
It does get easier - in fact, it becomes a non-event/non-issue/don't know I'm using it type thing. Perhaps even more so, I'd feel sick if I ever have to go to sleep without it (like if I end up staying away without planning/get a flight etc.).
Jane - please stick with the forum, and reach out to it if you need help - everyone has been there, and we're still using it!!