What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
rockncountry101
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What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by rockncountry101 » Thu Jul 02, 2015 2:36 pm

My last test during titration I had 253 spontaneous arousals. What is this and what causes it? All my other numbers were great during titration in relation to my first non-titrated test.

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Julie
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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by Julie » Thu Jul 02, 2015 2:41 pm

A combination of apneas and hypopneas make up the number, and whatever causes apnea in you would be the reason, whether blockage of your throat by your tongue falling backward when sleeping, or a narrow airway that doesn't allow enough air to pass for other reasons, neurological signals that don't trigger your system to breathe at all (as in central apnea), etc. etc. Hypopneas are apneas that don't reach the level of complete blockage, but still trigger some arousal whether or not you're conscious of them when sleeping... a high number like yours is probably made up of more hypopneas than apneas.

JDS74
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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by JDS74 » Thu Jul 02, 2015 2:51 pm

In my last PSG, they reported 18 per hour for this number. It was reported that these were not breathing related for such things as OSA or hypopnea events. Some, 3 per hour, were associated with movement disorders leaving 15 per hour of unknown origin. If I knew the exact answer to your question, I would be ecstatic as I would have a diagnosis.

For me, these result in becoming fully awake between every 45 minutes and about 75 minutes all night long. Needless to say, my sleep is fragmented by this.

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rockncountry101
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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by rockncountry101 » Thu Jul 02, 2015 3:03 pm

JDS74 wrote:In my last PSG, they reported 18 per hour for this number. It was reported that these were not breathing related for such things as OSA or hypopnea events. Some, 3 per hour, were associated with movement disorders leaving 15 per hour of unknown origin. If I knew the exact answer to your question, I would be ecstatic as I would have a diagnosis.

For me, these result in becoming fully awake between every 45 minutes and about 75 minutes all night long. Needless to say, my sleep is fragmented by this.
I know it leads to horrible sleep architecture. I never once achieved Stage 3/4 or REM. I kept getting kicked out to a lighter sleep. It actually increased during my titration study.

JDS74
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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by JDS74 » Thu Jul 02, 2015 3:14 pm

BTW, do you have any blood pressure issues, any night sweats, or other symptoms?

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rockncountry101
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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by rockncountry101 » Thu Jul 02, 2015 4:14 pm

JDS74 wrote:BTW, do you have any blood pressure issues, any night sweats, or other symptoms?
The only symptoms are EXTREME sleepiness during the day, headaches during the day, and I wake up with headaches with chest pains and sometimes shortness of breath. I do have occasional night sweats.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by chunkyfrog » Thu Jul 02, 2015 4:37 pm

By definition, "spontaneous" may mean "having no known cause".
---or it could be Pugsy's aliens. (Just kidding)

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Julie
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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by Julie » Thu Jul 02, 2015 4:39 pm

Good point!

rockncountry101
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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by rockncountry101 » Thu Jul 02, 2015 5:09 pm

"Poor Sleep Architecture" was listed on both studies. No wonder if I am aroused 256 times per night. I am taking 20 mg of Lexapro AND 2 mg of Xanax daily. I have heard that this can cause sleep problems. I am tapering off slowly with guidance from my PCP.

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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by chunkyfrog » Thu Jul 02, 2015 5:13 pm

Holy shirt! Yes the drugs could very well be a factor!
Have you heard of behavioral therapy for insomnia?
Some folks have kicked the pharma, not easily, but often well worth it.

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rockncountry101
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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by rockncountry101 » Thu Jul 02, 2015 5:17 pm

chunkyfrog wrote:Holy shirt! Yes the drugs could very well be a factor!
Have you heard of behavioral therapy for insomnia?
Some folks have kicked the pharma, not easily, but often well worth it.
I take it that's a lot of medicine! It's so much easier (and cheaper) to go that route. I have realized however that it is worse in the long run. I have attempted many, many times to get off of them but I relapse every time. They are VERY potent drugs. I'm working diligently now and I'm hoping that CPAP therapy will help.

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Julie
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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by Julie » Thu Jul 02, 2015 5:44 pm

Work with your MD (I'm sure you have, but...). How can you 'relapse' if he doesn't give you new scripts? Are you going to many MD's for them? THEY are messing you up big time... you need Narcotics Anonymous (NOT Narcanon - they're evil!).

rockncountry101
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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by rockncountry101 » Thu Jul 02, 2015 5:56 pm

I have never taken more than I was prescribed and I don't doctor shop! The medicine is just extremely tough to get off of if you try to do it too fast. That was always my problem.

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Julie
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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by Julie » Thu Jul 02, 2015 6:03 pm

Well, you have all the time in the world... take it.

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49er
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Re: What Causes Spontaneous Arousals?

Post by 49er » Thu Jul 02, 2015 8:58 pm

rockncountry101 wrote:I have never taken more than I was prescribed and I don't doctor shop! The medicine is just extremely tough to get off of if you try to do it too fast. That was always my problem.
I posted it this site in another one of your threads but in case, you didn't see it, it is a great place of support for very slowly getting off of psych meds. If you register, there is a forum for people also getting off of benzos.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/index