RERAs - just learning about them - could use some info

[Zigs]

So I just had my sleep study on Nov. 14 and the followup Nov. 22, and they told me I had 168 RERAs in the 390 minutes I slept. I had 5 total apneas/hypopneas (longest one was 27 seconds). My total AHI was 0.8 and total RDI was 26.6

I guess I'm wondering if anyone here could tell me more about RERAs. The sleep followup doc wasn't real detailed about them. I've gone online and read a bunch of stuff, but very specific info is kind of scarce. I'm a writer, so I like details

They characterized my sleep as "very fragmented" due to the RERAs, so I'd like to know more about them...i.e. is it technically classified as sleep apnea? And is a CPAP machine the best? I'm kind of just following what the doc/sleep equipment people are giving me at this point.


Another question - related to "gulping air" this time...

The sleep equipment people called today to check on me and see how the equipment was going. I have been feeling like I'm "swallowing" air the last couple of nights - and last night I woke up one hour after falling asleep and had MAJOR abdominal bloating and gas. So I just took it off because I wasn't sure what to do. The lady I talked to today said it's "common at the beginning" to gulp air but if I am still having that issue by this Friday, they will send me a chin strap to try...

So my question is - how bad is it to gulp air? Am I going to have some kind of major issues if I continue to suck in so much air? The pressure on my machine is set at 5 cm and then goes up automatically depending on how much pressure it deems necessary...I wake up in the middle of the night to find it's at 12 or 13 most of the time. That's when I have a hard time keeping it on because of the air/gas/pressure!

[cflame1]

zigs... did you get the software yet?

pm uncle_bob for it if you don't have it.

[Zigs]

Sorry, I'm new to this...what software...is it to read the card or something?

[cflame1]

Sorry, I'm new to this...what software...is it to read the card or something?

Yes it is... that way you can read it without having to depend on the DME

[robysue]

zigs,

Re software: Your machine is a PR System One according to your signature. So Uncle_bob may or may not be able to help. There is a piece of patient software designed for the System Ones called Encore Viewer and it is available from cpap.com, the site that sponsors this site.

Re "gulping air": The technical term is aerophagia. Lots of folks manage to adjust to it after a while. Lots of folks learn to manage it by watching both what they eat and when they eat it relative to bedtime. But there's no doubt, it can be bad. I've had really serious problems with it---so bad that I've talked (numerous times) with the PA in my sleep doctor's office about this problem and others. Indeed, at this point, the PA and the doctor have decided to switch me to a bi-level machine in the hopes that it will be easier on me concerning the aerophagia and some other issues I've had as well. So I'd report this problem to the sleep doctor's office as well as your DME. Be sure you tell the doctor's office that you are finding it impossible to keep the mask on all night due to the large amount of air that's winding up in your stomach causing you serious, uncomfortable problems with gas. And I'm not at all sure that a chin strap is going to fix the problem for you: I've never had any problems keeping my mouth closed at night, but I've had aerophagia so bad that my stomach felt like a rock hard ball full of air (and no real ability to get the air out by belching or farting).

Re RERAs: My understanding is that they are "hypopnea-like" events that may be too short or not have enough desaturation to officially be classified as apneas, but they do result in arousals---which is what's fragmenting your sleep. The CPAP should prevent the RERAs as well as any "real" hypopnea and apnea events you have. My impression is that the AASM (or at least some of it's publications) do strongly believe that RERAs should be counted towards a diagnosis of sleep apnea if the RDI is 15 or more.

[Zigs]

Thank you!! I actually had a good night last night - wasn't swallowing the air and I slept eight hours with the mask on! I did wake up about 5 or 6 a.m. and tossed and turned awhile trying to eliminate a leak around my nose, but it was by far the best night thus far!

Yeah, a few nights ago I had the really rock-hard stomach (and not rock hard abs, haha) and had one big belch when I took the mask off this a.m. But it was only really bad a couple of nights and last night it was much better - so hopefully that will continue.

Thanks for the info about RERAs, too. Like I said, they didn't do a very good job of explaining this all to me, and I'm new to this whole thing so I didn't know all the questions I should be asking!

[cflame1]

Re software: Your machine is a PR System One according to your signature. So Uncle_bob may or may not be able to help. There is a piece of patient software designed for the System Ones called Encore Viewer and it is available from cpap.com, the site that sponsors this site.

Robysue, at one point in time Uncle_bob actually had both

[Ms. L]

The CPAP should prevent the RERAs

Does anyone know exactly howthe cpap machine would prevent RERA's?

Would this be something having to do with adjusting the pressure?

Not that I would do this myself, just wondering.

Also wondering, when talking with the doctor about this, what type of questions should I ask or what info should I be receiving on this?

[jskinner]

I guess I'm wondering if anyone here could tell me more about RERAs. The sleep followup doc wasn't real detailed about them.

RERAS are breathing events that don't qualify as hypopneas or apneas but still cause an arousals.

You may be interested in listening to this audio interview on the topic:
viewtopic/t57868/Dr-Barry-Krakow-Interv ... -UARS.html

[KatieW]

Dr. Krakow posted about UARS/RERA's here:

viewtopic/t26622/UARS--A-Critical-Link- ... sults.html

[Zigs]

Thank you! That info is helpful - I really just want to feel confident that the CPAP has a good chance of helping me with RERAs.

So far, I seem to be doing OK - I don't seem to wake up as much at night - well I do, due to the mask, but I go back to sleep quickly and I don't find myself tossing and turning/having to go to the bathroom nearly as much.

I don't feel refreshed in the a.m. - still want to stay in bed all day - but I guess I'll give it time! I've only been using it for 2 weeks!