New to forum...how bad is my sleep ?

Hi all,
Had a home sleep study done as my insurance would not cover in lab.
Got my results this past friday. Doc was concerned. My low SPO2 was 58% and my AHI is 80.1...was told above 30 is considered severe. He told me that this is very serious. He resubmitted to the insurance for inlab study to do a cpap titration.

So my question is. ..how serious are my numbers?
Thanks in advance for any input.

I've see people here with over 100. I doesn't matter once you start your therapy. You will see IMMEDIATE improvement as soon as you begin. Just make sure you get a machine that supplies data and a mask that is comfortable.

LSAT wrote:I've see people here with over 100. I doesn't matter once you start your therapy. You will see IMMEDIATE improvement as soon as you begin. Just make sure you get a machine that supplies data and a mask that is comfortable.

From my own experience and from what I have read, many of us to not see an immediate improvement. In fact things may even get worse before they get better. The point is not to get not to get discouraged if you don't see immediate improvement. It may take time but it will be well worth the effort.

I thought positive and felt improvement my first day after using CPAP. Maybe I'm just lucky.
Cheers,
otrpu

Those numbers definitely indicate a need for cpap therapy.. after my sleep study and titration 2 years ago, my overall AHI was 52, with an average of 11. O2 was 90. With cpap therapy, my average is less than 4, often less than 1. Your AHI of 80, especially with your O2 level, is severe. You should definitely have a titration study, so I hope that your insurance will cover it after your doctor's request, but I hope that you will find a way to pay for it out of pocket if not.

Richny1 wrote:...My low SPO2 was 58% and my AHI is 80.1 ...So my question is. ..how serious are my numbers?

That 58% is more concerning than the count. I would insist on pursuing treatment ASAP. While you are waiting there are some things you could try (if you are so inclined) that may mitigate the symptoms a bit. No back sleeping. Sleep on a bit of an incline. Support your neck in such a way as to keep it aligned - no tucking of chin. These may not be of any benefit, but don't require a lot of effort or expense. Good luck going forward.

Thanks for all the comments. Another 3 weeks until my in lab sleep study with titration takes place. There doesn't seem to be a big rush by the doctor to get me in.

jimsp1 wrote:

LSAT wrote:I've see people here with over 100. I doesn't matter once you start your therapy. You will see IMMEDIATE improvement as soon as you begin. Just make sure you get a machine that supplies data and a mask that is comfortable.

From my own experience and from what I have read, many of us to not see an immediate improvement. In fact things may even get worse before they get better. The point is not to get not to get discouraged if you don't see immediate improvement. It may take time but it will be well worth the effort.

I second that sentiment. I could not acclimate to my cpap for almost over a year. When I switched machines, I still had problems but things got better. After awhile I forgot how bad my UARS was so I decided to sleep without cpap for a week. Bad mistake. Although I thought I slept better. I had heart attack like events when off cpap. That was a wake up call. Cpap is still a struggle, cant get much sleep on it, but it also prevents heart attack like symptoms at night.

52% is concerning as kteague mentioned. Not trying to scare you but I cant imagine how you can sleep without feeling crappy. My percent is 90% at lowest, but with lots of RERAS and I still feel like I have severe apnea even though I know it's not.

Would it be possible to maybe borrow a Cpap from someone. Most Cpap users have spare machines for emergencies. Is there any other way you can at least rent or use a Apap? A apap will adjust to your needed levels so a in lab study is not always needed.

Richny1 wrote:Hi all,
Had a home sleep study done as my insurance would not cover in lab.
Got my results this past friday. Doc was concerned. My low SPO2 was 58% and my AHI is 80.1...was told above 30 is considered severe. He told me that this is very serious. He resubmitted to the insurance for inlab study to do a cpap titration.

So my question is. ..how serious are my numbers?
Thanks in advance for any input.

Make sure you do not sleep on your back prior to getting your CPAP. On your back, gravity is directly pulling your soft palate and tongue into the airway. For many people with OSA, some relief comes from sleeping exclusively on the sides and stomach.

ChicagoGranny wrote:

Richny1 wrote:Hi all,
Had a home sleep study done as my insurance would not cover in lab.
Got my results this past friday. Doc was concerned. My low SPO2 was 58% and my AHI is 80.1...was told above 30 is considered severe. He told me that this is very serious. He resubmitted to the insurance for inlab study to do a cpap titration.

So my question is. ..how serious are my numbers?
Thanks in advance for any input.

Make sure you do not sleep on your back prior to getting your CPAP. On your back, gravity is directly pulling your soft palate and tongue into the airway. For many people with OSA, some relief comes from sleeping exclusively on the sides and back.

I think you meant exclusively on the side, given your first statement about sleeping on the back.

It's very serious - I had the same result in January - AHI measure at 80. What that number means is that, on average, you stop breathing 80 times per hour - more than once per minute. So you never really get to sleep or get any rest. All the arousals can be just below the level where you are aware of it - your body has gotten used to it and does the best it can. But you're still not getting any restful sleep and that's why you're tired all the time.

On the plus side, people with severe apnea sometimes take to the therapy much more easily because it's such a dramatic improvement. The sooner you can get your equipment, the better. Take the earliest appointments you can get and then offer to be called at the last minute if they have a no-show so you can get in sooner. Sleep labs in many areas are very backed up and it can take months to get in.

OKCSleepDoc wrote:I think you meant exclusively on the side, given your first statement about sleeping on the back.

No, I meant sides and stomach. Thanks for catching that. I have edited my post.