sleep study, what does it all mean?

[nawchem]

First what is an auto cpap? 5-15 cm H2O. Isn't 5 kind of low? I have troubles at time with 12. I have asthma so that might explain the shortness of breath too.

Sleep Study
0 apnea, (0 obstructive apnea), 0 central apnea and 0 mixed apnea

46 hypopnea, 3 hyponea with >4% desat

Mean SpO2 95%, Min. SpO2 91%

Sleep efficiency 72.9%

REM latency 197.5 minutes

Of the total arousals, 95 were spontaneous (16.5 events per hour)

stage 3 sleep 33%

rem sleep 7.2%

The doctors report states that OSA is a comorbidity of obesity. Do I have OSA?

[lazarus]

what is an auto cpap?

A CPAP that senses how you breathe and provides the possibility of its adjusting the pressure it creates to match your needs moment to moment.

Isn't 5 kind of low?

Some find 5 a very effective and comfortable pressure for starting out the night. Others feel they need a minimum of 6 or more to be able to breathe comfortably.

The doctors report states that OSA is a comorbidity of obesity

That word doesn't really imply causation; it just means two or more things you are dealing with at the same time.

Do I have OSA?

That is a perfectly valid medical question. However, for us as patients, it is often best to set that question aside and view the sleep test as something that can qualify us to find out whether sleeping with positive pressure improves our sleep and our lives.

In a sense, if sleep and life improve, our good reaction to the treatment can serve as proof of the validity of a diagnosis, after the fact. In the grand scheme of things, the name medical professionals use to label any of that is useful to them and to payors more than to us.

Just as a thought, many find that sticking to one thread for posting questions makes it easiest for others to help by their quickly and easily seeing what help has already been given before without having to check multiple threads to do so. Only a suggestion; not a rule.

[Rubicon]

Do I have OSA?

That depends.

If I say "no" will you go ballistic? Are you wishing you have OSA because that would explain all your issues and provide you with a convenient solution?

Your slow wave sleep numbers are confusing. Previous results showed virtually none. Now you have tons. Your sleep efficiency is abysmal. Delayed and reduced REM suggest you're on an ADM. The increased spontaneous arousals suggests that's destroying sleep continuity.

Your GTT results from your other thread (nod to Jeff) need to be addressed (IIWM I'd see a real endocrine guy)(I'll concede the possibility of insulin resistance but if so that shouldn't be used as an excuse).

What's your waist/height ratio?

IMO you'll get a lot more bang for the buck with major life style changes.

[nawchem]

Thank you Lazarus, I appreciate your take on things.

[nawchem]

Thanks to you too Rubicon.

I ask about OSA diagnosis because my last 3 sleep studies diagnosed me as having UARS, I was under the care of OSHA from 1993-2005, they said I my respiratory tract is about 10% smaller than average. I thought that was the cause of my breathing issues. Imaging shows I have a thyroid goiter, 2 nodules and a cyst on my thyroid gland. i don't know if that is meaningful.

Previously told that sleep positions didn't matter, now they do. I usually have a bunch of RERAs that they never mentioned, they were not sure what UARS is and asked if it is covered by insurance. This is my first test in the pulmonology department. Other tests were with neurologists. My pressure is currently set at 12-20. They said their willing to sacrifice the higher pressure hypoapneas to keep the pressure lower.

I've never taken an anti-depressant. I take thyroid medication, benadryl for this study and advair asthma inhaler.

I'm meeting with GP tomorrow to ask for a referral to neurology.

I'm not sure if my endo cares about my blood sugar but I will mention it to him.

Not sure about my waist/weight ratio but I am short with a big gut and skinny limbs.

[Rubicon]

Short version: This is all very confusing. I think we can get some clarity if you can upload images of all of your sleep studies and a few nights of SleepHQ.

I ask about OSA diagnosis because my last 3 sleep studies diagnosed me as having UARS

I usually have a bunch of RERAs that they never mentioned, they were not sure what UARS is

This whole UARS thing needs to be put under the microscope. If you had UARS CPAP would make you better. Frankly, IMO you have little or no UARS, you're a TWS (Train Wreck Sleeper)

I've never taken an anti-depressant.

That would have been low-hanging fruit, but no problem. A deep dive into the sleep studies might reveal something.

I take thyroid medication

Levo I assume. Known to cause sleep issues. Take it in the AM? Although it works better at night. At any rate, nothing to do about that.

I'm not sure if my endo cares about my blood sugar

If he doesn't find another endo.

Not sure about my waist/weight ratio but I am short with a big gut and skinny limbs.

Don't be doing a Yossarian. You need to get healthy.

BTW ever have a PFT (since you've seen pulmo people). Could explore the Plant Gain Thing.

[nawchem]

Sorry MIA, had weed going thru my machine. Super irritated my sinuses, lots of drainage causing asthma flare.

I got the Airsense 11 apap today. Strangely it is rented. They showed me how to turn it on/off and told me to keep the humidifier water volume below max. I tried the machine sitting up at the pressure of 5. I couldn't perceive any airflow, the machine was so quiet.

I am getting a 2nd opinion on everything with the place that did my former study. I'll have some old data for comparison soon.

How do I get any data from the new pap?

[nawchem]

Levo I assume. Known to cause sleep issues. Take it in the AM? Although it works better at night. At any rate, nothing to do about that.
I take armour thyroid.

Don't be doing a Yossarian. You need to get healthy.
Had to google this It is described in the novel as "an odious, alien, distasteful name…?

BTW ever have a PFT (since you've seen pulmo people). Could explore the Plant Gain Thing.

Oh my gosh, you have an amazing vocabulary! PFT, yes I had that test when I had an asthma dr. I have a referral for a pulmonologist, so I can do that again. PFT showed I had lost about 30% lung capacity from irritating chemicals going thru my cpap. My lungs healed over 6 months but the asthma and mcs stayed.

[Rubicon]

Don't be doing a Yossarian. You need to get healthy.

Had to google this It is described in the novel as "an odious, alien, distasteful name…?

Actually, I referring to the scene with Snowden.

IOWs, don't spend time on an insignificant problem when there's a catastrophe underfoot.