Newbie - Oximetry is the same with CPAP?

[derek_305]

Hi all,

I am a complete newbie and have done the sleep study at the doctors office, after 1 week they called me in to get results tomorrow and as any doctor that calls me in I am scared out of my mind. My mom and brother both have OSA and snore everybody out of the house; the only details I know are that my mom uses an S9 machine and my brother has 140 events per hour, when he uses his CPAP it's cheapest one he found used.

My case is different, I am always tired, have a constant sinus infection and sleep very quietly; I do wake up about 10 times a night. The last year I've had a feeling of something not being right and it all got so much worse after I quit all benzos, alcohol and caffeine; I thought they were making things bad but boy was I wrong.

What's the worse the doctor can say tomorrow? He got quite upset when he saw my sinus but didn't say anything, I know something is wrong as he called me in, in my head I have the central apnea caused by some horrible thing. I am a bit of a hypochondriac

Any help would be appreciated, especially the quiet ones.

[LSAT]

No way any of us can help without knowing the result of your study...come back tomorrow with your result.

[SewTired]

My guess is that he could be annoyed that the chronic sinus inflammation hasn't been treated. That would skew the result of any sleep test. If you didn't see an ENT before the test, well, leaves things a bit in the dark.

[kteague]

I know not worrying is easier said than done, but I've wasted so much time worrying about test results that never turned out to be as ominous as in my imaginations. There is nothing they are going to tell you that you can't work through. If they say you've got sleep apnea, that's treatable whether it is obstructive or central. With many sleep doctors it is standard practice to go over the results with the patient. I've seen 3 different ones and they each met with me to review the results. Do ask them for a copy of your report because it is likely that questions will arise that you didn't think of during the visit.

[derek_305]

I know not worrying is easier said than done, but I've wasted so much time worrying about test results that never turned out to be as ominous as in my imaginations. There is nothing they are going to tell you that you can't work through. If they say you've got sleep apnea, that's treatable whether it is obstructive or central. With many sleep doctors it is standard practice to go over the results with the patient. I've seen 3 different ones and they each met with me to review the results. Do ask them for a copy of your report because it is likely that questions will arise that you didn't think of during the visit.

Thank you for the replies, I am just starting and need to learn if here it's mostly technical or support.

Kteague, thanks for reminding me to get the report; I plan to overnight the CPAP or machine he recommends to start right away if needed. I'm just a bit scared that I don't snore and what central could mean in the long run. Will try to search as much as possible to find stories and experiences.

[TedVPAP]

If worrying solved problems, there would be no more problems.

[jim22]

Well, i wouldn't borrow trouble. As was said, if needed, treatment is readily available and effective. Dealing with the sinus thing will be very helpful. If he prescribes a machine, get a copy of the prescription, and ask him to prescribe a full data auto adjusting machine specifically. Then you will have nightly data to look at to fine tune your treatment. Fear not!
Jim

[cpap626]

did they finally call you back with your results?

[derek_305]

Thanks for the replies, I started another thread earlier after I got out of the doctors office. I had 8.67 AHI and the reason I don't snore is that it's partial; I am very relieved it wasn't central or anything bad. I am waiting for my insurance to send me the machine and am very hopeful.

[palerider]

Thanks for the replies, I started another thread earlier after I got out of the doctors office. I had 8.67 AHI and the reason I don't snore is that it's partial; I am very relieved it wasn't central or anything bad. I am waiting for my insurance to send me the machine and am very hopeful.

It's better if you just keep everything in one thread... makes it easier for people to help you. go back to the first post and change the topic to keep it appropriate, if desired.

The canonical 'keep it all in one thread' example: viewtopic/t104717/OTDefective-frogBreas ... CURED.html

page through it and see how the title changed as the saga progressed.

[chunkyfrog]

As I remember, I felt quite powerless at the time; and maintaining a rigid timeline gave me the illusion of being at least somewhat in control.

[palerider]

As I remember, I felt quite powerless at the time; and maintaining a rigid timeline gave me the illusion of being at least somewhat in control.

You seemed to be coping very well... so it must have worked :HUGS:

[cpap626]

Thanks for the replies, I started another thread earlier after I got out of the doctors office. I had 8.67 AHI and the reason I don't snore is that it's partial; I am very relieved it wasn't central or anything bad. I am waiting for my insurance to send me the machine and am very hopeful.

I was wondering what pressure setting they started you out at?

[derek_305]

Hi all,

It took me a couple of weeks to get the equipment after my results; the short version is I have an AHI of 9.5 and I spend 24% of the time below 89% oxygen with a low of 84%. I did follow up with a CMS50F Plus and it also showed about 4-5 desaturations to 84%. All are partial obstructions.

I got sent the wrong mask (N20) and had a lot of leaks, I was down for about 8 hours but must have slept 6 from struggling with the hose and the leaks. I got the correct one my doctor ordered (P10) and will try it tonight, though it does seem to be more restrictive on exhale.

The difference today has been staggering, I am even quite scared of it; it feels like somebody gave me 5 Red bull drinks with a splash of vodka. My question is if it's normal to feel this way? does it stabilize? It's 4pm and after 90min of hot yoga this morning I feel like I could go to a rave or for a boxing session, this is quite new to me and given my low AHI I am wondering what is going on.

BTW, Initial pressure was set to 4-15 but I couldn't breathe well so I "had it raised by a doctor" to 7-15, of all the starting pressures from 4-9 it was the most comfortable one. Any input would be appreciated.

[DavidY]

The pros here need your Sleepyhead results in order to optimize your APAP settings.

Dave