I need help with Sleep study results

[Darqnezz]

I had a split night polysomnogram and I need help interpreting the results.

Diagnostic Summary: 423 minutes
Respiratory Analysis demonstrated 166 Obstructive Apneas and 26 Mixed Apneas for an Apnea Index of 90.7. There were 17 hypopneas, with a Apnea Hypopnea Index of 98.2. The supine AHI of 10.9, versus a non-supine AHI of 120.0. The REM AHI was 100.0, versus non REM AHI of 98.1. The lowest Sp02 was 75%. Total arosal Index was 74.4. Respiratory arousal Index was 73.7.

I was diagnosed with severe Obstructive sleep apnea, and severe hypoxemia with a nadir of 79%.
What does it all mean?
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

[Slartybartfast]

Wow. You've got it bad. Somewhat worse than mine was. It's interesting that your non-supine AHI was 12 times that of your supine AHI. My sleep doc said supine is usually far worse than non-supine. So you've evidently had your sleep study reviewed and scored, and your therapy pressure has evidently been determined. So you should have a prescription for a machine. Where did the sleep doc leave you?

[JohnBFisher]

... I had a split night polysomnogram ... What does it all mean? ...

There is a lot of detail missing from the above, but let's see what we can do with it.

... Diagnostic Summary: 423 minutes ...

Well, this is pretty obvious. You slept 423 minutes. Or a smell over 7 hours.

... Respiratory Analysis demonstrated 166 Obstructive Apneas and 26 Mixed Apneas for an Apnea Index of 90.7. ...

Of the apneas, most were obstructive. You had some that started at obstructive, but ended as central apneas. You started to try to breathe, but for whatever reason, that effort ceased. That's a mixed apnea. It did not start as a central apnea. That is though you were not breathing, your body started to try to breathe. Fortunately, during the entire night that number is fairly low. (26 mixed apneas / 7 hours = about 4 apneas per hour).

The total apnea index of 90.7 is pretty high. So ... big surprise ... xPAP therapy would be recommended.

... There were 17 hypopneas, with a Apnea Hypopnea Index of 98.2. ...

During the 7 hours you had low airflow 17 times. This added to your apneas equals the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI). I would guess, and it's just that, the fact you don't have a high hypopnea index probably means your throat is not the cause of the problem. That is, it is not "too small". It seems more as if your tongue just falls back into your airway.

... The supine AHI of 10.9, versus a non-supine AHI of 120.0. ...

Of course, this flies in the face of that fact. This says that on your back (supine) you have an AHI of 10.9, compared to 120 while not on your back. However, this just might mean you don't sleep much on your back. Many people learn over time to avoid sleeping on their back if it increases their apneas.

... The REM AHI was 100.0, versus non REM AHI of 98.1. ...

During REM sleep your AHI was elevated by a little. But not enough to write home about. Many people have much worse AHI values during REM sleep, because our bodies go "limp" while we are in REM sleep. You appear to have this

... The lowest Sp02 was 75%. ...

Your blood oxygen level momentarily reached a low point of 75%. Oxygen is recommended if a sustained blood oxygen level dips below 88%.

... Total arosal Index was 74.4. Respiratory arousal Index was 73.7. ...

From the following website:

http://sleepapneafaq.wikispaces.com/Sleep+Study+report

Your arousal index is the number of arousals multiplied by the number of hours of sleep. An arousal is a wake or "alpha" pattern for 3 to 15 seconds. You are usually not aware of arousals. However, the body normally uses these to help rouse you enough to start breathing again.

Sometimes the sleep study indicates the number of spontaneous arousals, which measures arousals that have no directly attributable cause.

The arousals due to respiratory activity (an apnea or hypopnea) is a Respiratory Arousal.

... I was diagnosed with severe Obstructive sleep apnea, and severe hypoxemia with a nadir of 79%. ...

And finally, during sustained periods (not just momentarily) your blood oxygen levels reach a low point of 79%. That is certainly low enough to warrant xPAP therapy to help keep your airway open.

Hope that helps.

[Darqnezz]

Thank you sir. It helps alot. I never met the sleep Dr. who diagnosed my study. My doc just got the results and sent a prescription to the DME. I was given a Respronics CPAP, but i'm in the process of changing to an APAP because of some of my breathing issues. Hopefully I get this all worked out. I could use a good nights sleep.

[JohnBFisher]

... Thank you sir. It helps alot. ...

Great! That's why we try to help one another on line ... even if they happen to have VERY scary masks (albeit appropriate for this time of year) ... By helping one another we try to make the journey for each other a bit easier.

... I never met the sleep Dr. who diagnosed my study. My doc just got the results and sent a prescription to the DME. ...

That's pretty normal. That was my case after my first sleep study. But when my problems continued, I ended up seeing different sleep specialists. Hopefully you will find something that works well for you quickly.

... I was given a Respronics CPAP, but i'm in the process of changing to an APAP because of some of my breathing issues. Hopefully I get this all worked out. I could use a good nights sleep. ...

Since most sleep studies hunt for a pressure the eliminates most apneas, but allows REM sleep, they often settle for a higher pressure. APAP should help you by allowing you to sleep at only the currently necessary pressure. Remember, they might set the pressure to a VERY large range (4cm to 20cm H20). Based on the experience of a LOT of people that wide a range is too wide. You need something that takes care of most of your requirements, but won't over do it. So, if your current pressure is 12, a range more like 8 to 14cm H2O would make more sense. Of course that is just an example.

Best wishes as your persue your dream of more dreams!

[cflame1]

another good point about you switching to an APAP is that it'll be fully data capable... which the Remstar Plus that you have listed isn't.

[DoriC]

You just got a wonderful explanation of your sleep study that will help many of us, and you can call him "John". Good luck and keep us posted.

[Hawthorne]

Great that you are getting an APAP! You should consider getting the software and really tracking your nightly therapy for awhile.

People here can help you to tweak if you need to, if you post some daily detailed data from your APAP when you get it.

[Darqnezz]

Just got an appt. with the Dr. that interpreted my sleep study. Will keep you guys informed. Thanks again for the help.