Stage 3/4 Sleep after age 25

activensleepy · Post by **activensleepy** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:17 pm

My latest sleep doc more or less told me not to worry about the lack of delta sleep after I mentioned my lack of any through 3-4 past sleep studies. I know the percentages are reduced with age but none? He mentioned after age 25 it is not significant! What makes one rested, REM or delta sleep? Puzzled.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:54 pm

Rem is definitely the important one here, and it's where you dream, so it's what you want to try for.

justplainbill · Post by **justplainbill** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:55 pm

While I am by no means the expert that your sleep doctor is, it is my understanding through reading materials and posts on this board and others is that both Stage III/IV sleep and REM sleep are important to your physical well-being. I have read that REM sleep declines with age and perhaps stage III/IV sleep does to but I would think that to have none would be not normal and likely to have adverse effects on the body. I would definitely like to know more myself as to whether my understanding on this is mistaken.

But more important might be how you feel. If you FEEL refreshed and don't have problems with daytime sleepiness, and if you are otherwise satisfied with this doctor, perhaps its not worth arguing about.

There are problems that can interfere with deep sleep apart from apnea and, judging from posts I have read from people in this situation, these are not necessarily very easily remedied. There may be other situations, (I am brainstorming possibilities here) where medications may interfere with stage III/IV and/or REM sleep and where it might be better to stick with the medication.

But don't be afraid to request a second opinion if you have any doubts about your sleep doctor's clinical judgement.

I'm sure others here will have a lot of perspective and information as well.
Best wishes,
Bill

activensleepy · Post by **activensleepy** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:33 pm

Yes, agreed the stages of sleep are complicated. Typically, my sleep is fragmented with mild RLS/PLMD as well. Three months into CPAP has me closer to normal but the mild EDS continues.

I'm a life long runner and was amazed post CPAP how much weight I lost in the first 4-6 weeks (8-10lbs). Nothing changed with my daily habits except adding CPAP. My reaction to the therapy made me wonder if I was getting delta sleep finally and my body chemistry got back to normal.