Just got results

[michael_schaap]

Hello. This is my first post in this forum. I went to a sleep lab last Friday and found out the results today. In the roughly 5 hours of sleep in the lab it was recorded that I stoped breathing 132 times. I did not talk to the doctor yet, this was a recording of him in my mailbox (some system they have to inform you of your results quicker). So now I have to call him tomorrow and talk about what to do about it.

I have no clue as to how bad this is...... if you stop breating once thats bad I know. This past year I have been recovering from heart conditions, which is why the doc wanted me to try this sleep lab. So in generall how bad does this sound? 132 times in 5 hours seems like a hell of a lot to me. Hell I did not know I stoped once, much less 132 times.... I just feel so broken some times...... I'm 39 years old... have a pacemaker/defib unit now, am in debt more then I want to know and now this.....

[kteague]

Michael,

This "one more thing" may be the diagnosis that helps turn things around with your health. In the beginning getting diagnosed and equipped to treat your sleep apnea can be expensive (especially if uninsured), but there comes a leveling off period where an occasional mask can be your only expense for months, and most of the machines last for years. The alternative to treatment is continued deteriorating health. This can be quite an adjustment, but it's really not so bad. I have an enlarged heart (probably caused by the sleep apnea) so I know I must adjust. Others on here have had heart attacks and strokes, and made amazing strides in improving their health. After several months I'm just reaching the stage I'd only read about on here where I really dread falling asleep without my mask because I know I'll wake up feeling so much worse. Hope you soon get past the shock of getting your test results and move full steam ahead toward reclaiming the health benefits of a good night's sleep.

[Snoredog]

First thing to tell your doctor is you want a copy of the PSG results. There is a lot more data than just the 132 events per hour.

It is is not the 5hours that counts, but the actual time you spent sleeping. You divide those minutes by 60 then by the number of events seen during that time frame to come up with your AHI score. But that is only one measurement to determine severity, the other is your SAO2 levels (blood oxygen saturation levels) during sleep.

In any case, from the data so far it clearly puts you in the severe range. That PSG report should also tell you how low your oxygen levels were dropping during sleep as a result of those events.

Treatment of your OSA should also help with your heart condition. It would not surprise me if the OSA was the cause of your current heart condition.

[ZPAP]

I have no clue as to how bad this is...... if you stop breating once thats bad I know. This past year I have been recovering from heart conditions, which is why the doc wanted me to try this sleep lab. So in generall how bad does this sound? 132 times in 5 hours seems like a hell of a lot to me.

Michael,

Don't be despondent. It's hard to be sure, but from what you posted, it sounds like you have moderate sleep apnea, or OSA. The commonly-used number is called the AHI, and includes apneas and hypopneas averaged per hour over a night's sleep. Thus, if the number quoted by your doctor included hypopneas, you would have an AHI of 26.4 (132 incidents divided by 300 minutes of sleep times 60 minutes per hour). An AHI of less than 5 is considered normal, 5-14 is mild, 15-30 is moderate, and >30 is severe. Indeed, there are a number of folks on this board who have been diagnosed with AHIs in excess of 100.

Sooo, the answer to your question is "not that bad"! The good news is that CPAP can bring that number down to well below 5 and get you on the road to better health.

We're here to help.

Michael

[snoregirl]

Sometimes half the battle is to figure out what is wrong. I for one was thrilled to know what was causing my endless naps and that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

You now know you have apnea. The machine is not bad at all once you get used to the idea. In fact I love mine. I am not all that much older than you are. My father died at 50 of a major heart attack. I hope that I will be different due to CPAP. I worry about my brother because he is in denial.

I second getting a copy of your sleep studies. Also get the prescription for your files. Not the "we will fax it to the DME and they will contact you".
You determine where to do business not your doc. Have to consider insurance authorized places if you use those benefits but the basic choice is yours.

You may well want to use a local DME, but get that prescription in case the relationship sours or you discover that your insurance isn't all that good and it is better to buy out of pocket (I know you said you have debts but the prescription won't expire).

Research on this forum and on CPAP.com to see what machines are out there and what you think you would like. Then go see your doc and the DME and take it from there.

If you have more questions about what the doc prescribes or what the DME is trying to sell you post again before you sign up with the DME if you can.
Better to get it right the first time if possible.

[caty]

If you have insurance, check out BillMyInsurance.com (part of CPAP.com) You can call them to see if they handle your insurance. They will need copies of your sleep studies and prescription. You may want to check with them before you see your doctor so you know exactly what you need from your doctor. BillMyInsurance.com needs precisely worded prescriptions. I faxed my doctor the wording needed and they mailed me the prescription.
Good luck.

[Snoredog]

I have no clue as to how bad this is...... if you stop breating once thats bad I know. This past year I have been recovering from heart conditions, which is why the doc wanted me to try this sleep lab. So in generall how bad does this sound? 132 times in 5 hours seems like a hell of a lot to me.

Michael,

Don't be despondent. It's hard to be sure, but from what you posted, it sounds like you have moderate sleep apnea, or OSA. The commonly-used number is called the AHI, and includes apneas and hypopneas averaged per hour over a night's sleep. Thus, if the number quoted by your doctor included hypopneas, you would have an AHI of 26.4 (132 incidents divided by 300 minutes of sleep times 60 minutes per hour). An AHI of less than 5 is considered normal, 5-14 is mild, 15-30 is moderate, and >30 is severe. Indeed, there are a number of folks on this board who have been diagnosed with AHIs in excess of 100.

Sooo, the answer to your question is "not that bad"! The good news is that CPAP can bring that number down to well below 5 and get you on the road to better health.

We're here to help.

Michael

[ZPAP]

If he was in the lab 5hrs he probably had at least 4hrs of sleep (240-minutes or 4hrs) which is what most insurance requires.

Hey, Snoredog, he said he had "roughly 5 hours of sleep in the lab" [my emphasis], not 4 hours as you surmise.

Michael

[michael_schaap]

Yeah finally feel asleep around 12...... they got me up at 6 and I got up around 3 to 'stretch my legs' so to speak.... I figure it took about 30 minutes to get back to sleep.

So I talked to the doc this morning. However the numbers work themselves out he feels that it's the reason why I'm am feeling so tired all the time. He also expressed concern that since I have already had two heart attacks and have CAD that this problem could bring about another one. I'm guessing it could set off the defib unit before I go into a full heart attack.

At any rate....I was stupid. I looked up CPAP machines and saw what these masks look like... ok.... now I understand why it takes a bit to get used to them. Trying like hell to do what the "Our Collective Wisdom" folder said and keep a real good positive attitude... however the move "Silence of the lambs" did kinda flash in my mind. Think I'm going to go over to the Humor section....

[bdp522]

Silence of the lambs" did kinda flash in my mind.

Those are the first words my husband said to me when he saw me wearing my hybrid!

Make sure you keep posting. Someone is always here to help.

Brenda