severe OSA or not?

echo · Post by **echo** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:51 pm

First, thanks in advance to anyone who can help with this...

Second, I have tried to read as much as I can on the forum already but since everyone is different, I'm still a bit unsure as to what it means for me.

So I have been diagnosed with "Severe" OSA (haven't gone on treatment yet; waiting for second appt)

However, from what I've read about sleep efficiency and SA02 levels, I don't seem to fall into the 'severe' category. I guess what bothers me is that I seem to have quite severe side-effects from the apnea, it is very disruptive to my work, studies, memory, cognitive function, concentration, weight. I cannot go by on less than 10 hours of sleep, and usually need more. Of course periodic insomnia doesn't help. I know it's severe , and that it's affecting me, but since some of the stats don't fall into the 'severe' category, I wonder if I'm unjustified in feeling so physically miserable?? Anyway I guess I'm ranting more than anything, but I would love insight from those more experienced with this... thanks!!!

Stats:
Sleep efficiency = 81%
Sleep latency time = 43 min
REM latency time = 79 min
Slow wave sleep = 19%
REM sleep = 12%
Arousal index = 38.3
AHI = 35.5 (obstructive in origin)
Average oxygen saturation = 96.7%
Min SA02 = 93.2%

thanks...

SisterShotgun · Post by **SisterShotgun** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:04 pm

I have mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I was told that I needed a CPAP to treat this, however, I was also told that many people with mild to moderate apnea do not tolerate the CPAP very well..

I am one of the few in their eyes that not only tolerate the CPAP, but feel like I have come back alive since starting the therapy.

I do not have the results of my sleep study, but I will be getting it tomorrow from my Primary Care Doc.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:09 pm

So what you are asking, "Am I dieing Fast or Slow"? Well you only get to die once, if you are lucky. Normal AHI is under five, you are seven times that according to you sleep study. Will that kill you? Only if when one of those times that you stop breathing you don't restart breathing, we never get advanced notice when that's coming, but you are on notice, you have had a warning. It also lowers your quality of life.

Apnea also takes a toll on all our body functions, we only get one body, so it pays to plan on it lasting as long as it can, and it is more fun, if it's not completely worn out in your last years.

Some things we have no way to control over, but Apnea is treatable, it just takes resolve, and a little backbone. Jim

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): AHI

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:10 pm

Here ya go:

DEFINITIONS:
APNEA = cessation of airflow for 10 seconds or greater.
HYPOPNEA =>50% decrease in airflow for 10 seconds or greater with a decrease in oxygen saturation of >3%.
APNEA/HYPOPNEA INDEX (AHI) = apnea plus (+) HYPOPNEA/hour of sleep.
RESPIRATORY AROUSAL INDEX (RAI) = AHI +snoring related EEG arousals/hour of sleep.
AHI/RAI** Scale =<5 events /hour = (none); 5-15 events/hour = (mild); 15-30 events/hour = (moderate); >30 events/hour = (severe).
Respiratory related sleep fragmentation: Sleep arousals due to respiratory events or snoring.
Desaturation = Drop in O2 oximetry distribution saturation by 3% below average saturation.
SaO2 scale: >89%=(none); 85-89%=(mild);80-84%=(moderate); <80% (severe).
EPWORTH SLEEPINESS SCALE =<10=(does not indicate EDS (Excessive Daytime Somnolence));10-15=(indicates daytime somnolence-not excessive);>16 (indicates EDS).
RESPIRATORY EFFORT RELATED AROUSALS (RERAs)=Sleep Arousals due to respiratory events characterized by pressure flow limitations in the airflow indicator channel without significant O2 desaturations.
StageIII and StageIV are combined and referred to as Deep Sleep.
Sleep Efficiency = Normal is >80%
As established by AASM/ABSM 1999.

Normal Sleep Architecture:
Stage1: 5%
Stage2: 50%
Stage3: 10%
Stage4: 10%
Stage REM: 25%

Stage3&4, REM may decrease as we age.

Bamalady · Post by **Bamalady** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:29 pm

I know it's severe , and that it's affecting me, but since some of the stats don't fall into the 'severe' category, I wonder if I'm unjustified in feeling so physically miserable??

Echo......I think that it depends, at least in part, to how long one has had Apnea. Mine was classified as Mild, but I was absolutely exhausted, to the point of being able to do very little, and had horrid headaches. I would not put too much emphasis on how the Apnea is classified.

Be aware, though, that other health problems may be affecting the way you feel as well.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:10 pm

thanx for the definitions snoredog.

But i especially like Goofproof's

So what you are asking, "Am I dieing Fast or Slow"?

True... I am still getting used to the fact that this is a SERIOUS condition... for me getting diagnosed was a validation of how horrible I felt from lack of proper sleep, but in fact it's much more than. Diabetes, high BP, heart problems... death!

I'm really really looking forward to the treatment and I determined to make it work, no matter what. I've been using the "Snorex" tongue/throat splint (for snoring) for a few years now and when I initially started using it, it was also really difficult to get used to at first, but I felt soooo much better, so I already know the difference it can make.

I guess it's true, as some of you have said, it's not necessarily about the classification of the diagnosis but rather how it's affects one's body ...and the dying. eek!

Thank god for this site and for all of you wonderful people, and thank god that there's a treatment for this problem!!

I'm just itching to get my equipment so sorry about the long posts.... being on this forum is a bit of distraction, and handily informative! thanx

skjansen · Post by **skjansen** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:04 pm

I think an AHI over 29 is considered severe

tuna · Post by **tuna** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:15 pm

skjansen wrote:I think an AHI over 29 is considered severe

_________________

My AHI was 82/hr Very Severe!

skjansen · Post by **skjansen** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:28 pm

tuna wrote:
skjansen wrote:I think an AHI over 29 is considered severe

_________________
My AHI was 82/hr Very Severe!
Wow Tuna...you must have been a walking Zombie. That means you were being around 1 1/2 times per minute.

jmps · Post by **jmps** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:56 pm

My doctor also said that an AHI over 30 is labeled severe. Mine was 124. I don't think the label is that important though. The impact varies from person to person. But at that level of 30 or above on average it has a severe impact. Just be glad you got tested and can get treatment. It has helped me a great deal.

echo · Post by **echo** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:07 pm

Wow I can't imagine an AHI that high! You basically don't breath at all at night!

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:10 pm

Anonymous wrote:thanx for the definitions snoredog.

But i especially like Goofproof's
So what you are asking, "Am I dieing Fast or Slow"?
True... I am still getting used to the fact that this is a SERIOUS condition... for me getting diagnosed was a validation of how horrible I felt from lack of proper sleep, but in fact it's much more than. Diabetes, high BP, heart problems... death!

I'm really really looking forward to the treatment and I determined to make it work, no matter what. I've been using the "Snorex" tongue/throat splint (for snoring) for a few years now and when I initially started using it, it was also really difficult to get used to at first, but I felt soooo much better, so I already know the difference it can make.

I guess it's true, as some of you have said, it's not necessarily about the classification of the diagnosis but rather how it's affects one's body ...and the dying. eek!

Thank god for this site and for all of you wonderful people, and thank god that there's a treatment for this problem!!

I'm just itching to get my equipment so sorry about the long posts.... being on this forum is a bit of distraction, and handily informative! thanx

You will be successful at XPAP, it's all about attitude, yours is fine, All it takes is the will to get it done. BTW: my AHI was 150, after the heart attack. Jim

tuna · Post by **tuna** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 6:38 am

skjansen wrote:
tuna wrote:
skjansen wrote:I think an AHI over 29 is considered severe

_________________
My AHI was 82/hr Very Severe!
Wow Tuna...you must have been a walking Zombie. That means you were being around 1 1/2 times per minute.
_________________

To make things worse, my O2 dropped to 58%. Reading my sleep study is almost like reading a horror book!

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:57 am

echo,

My AHI (apnea/hypopnea index) was 30 at my sleep study. Like you I had problems with both insomnia and sleeping 10 plus hours at a stretch and still feeling like crap all day. I was misdiagnosed with depression for over 10 years--I have recently weaned (under a doc's supervision) from 40 mg prozac (a hi dose!) down to 10 mg every other day and I feel better than I can remember in my adult life! I will be dropping the prozac soon.

Keep up the therapy, it is a serious condition and I am a poster child for how quickly you can recover (I'm at about 6 weeks total) and feel good if you are compliant! Not everyone does this well this fast, but I'm only 35 and not too much damage had been done yet. Only hi bp so far, which seems to be going down a bit on its own now without meds.

Jen

echo · Post by **echo** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:07 pm

Jen,

That is indeed very encouraging news, and I am happy to hear about your progress as well! I know that depression can be different for everyone, but I totally believe that a precipitating factor for depression is sleep apnea.. and it's really good to hear that you will be able to drop the meds soon! Three years I also got misdiagnosed, but I refused to take antidepressants (I just knew that the root problem was something else, and not depression in and of itself), started following some "alternative" treatments and got a dental appliance against snoring (doesnt work as well now, but when I first got it, WOW life was fabulous!).

I'm really impressed that you've seen results so soon... and I bet your high BP will also stabilize with the treatment.

I'll be 30 this year, so I'm glad that people are getting diagnosed younger and younger, and as you say before too much damanage is done! I still think doctors need to be better educated about the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, and from what I've been reading it sounds like a significant percentage of the population probably has this problem, and many go undiagnosed for years.

Thanks for sharing
I hope your trend continues to go positively!!

Mask