Now I have my actual sleep study results-help me interpret

[jbt1125]

Starting a new thread from my earlier one about newly diagnosed with sleep apnea. Until now, I was getting my info from nurse on phone. I went to see the ENT that ordered the study this morning. He had a surprising reaction to the report. He indicated that the report might read pretty differently on any given night. He was on the fence about whether I should do a CPAP titration and try it, or just go on an aggressive weight lost program, get special sleeping shirt, sleep on side, and retest in a couple months.

As a reminder I am 40yrs old, 5'11, 210 lbs.

RESULTS - 381 recording record, 240 minutes of sleep with sleep efficiency of 63%. This was evidence to me of what I already knew - I didnt sleep very well that night. I usually sleep much better and longer than I did. I guess not surprising. Wires, anxiety, etc. I would be suprised if anyon sleeps particularly well during their first sleep study.

Sleep latency was 39.5 minutes, REM latency was 63 minutes. 13% in stage 1, 60% in 2, 15% in 3, 12.3% in REM.

EKG - dead normal,not even any PACs, PVCs, etc.

4 obstructive apneas, 8 central apneas, 105 hypopneas, 3 RERA... for an AHI 29.2 O2 sat low 89%, mean 94%.

Would love to get reactions. I was not surprised that I didnt sleep well that night. I was a bit surprised that I only had 4 obstructive apneas, and I was suprised that I had 8 central apneas (does this mean I have brain issues?). I guess the 105 hypopneas is what is driving the high AHI of 29?

Lastly - the report said "The abbreviated REM latency likely represents REM rebound from sleep deprivation but other conditions such as affective disorder should be considered". What the hell does that mean?

So even more on the fence now about whether I should do the CPAP titration study now or wait and consult the sleep dr. first. My ENT said he was fine either way. Meet first with the sleep dr. and dig more into the results first, or just go have the CPAP titration now and then follow up. Have the appt. tonight, will probably still go get it done. Just sort of thinking out loud here on the forum.

Thanks again for all the support!

[Pugsy]

I was suprised that I had 8 central apneas (does this mean I have brain issues?).

No. Everyone can have a few centrals here and there. Even people without any sort of OSA diagnosis.
Now if you had 8 centrals per hour over the whole night..then we talk about your brain.

I guess the 105 hypopneas is what is driving the high AHI of 29?

Correct but don't go thinking "it's only hyponeas" cloud your thinking that hyponeas aren't any big deal. If they weren't a big deal they wouldn't be counted.

Your oxygen levels didn't go horribly low though...that's good.

The abbreviated REM latency likely represents REM rebound from sleep deprivation but other conditions such as affective disorder should be considered". What the hell does that mean?

Narcolepsy would be my first "affective disorder" to be considered. That's what people with narcolepsy do...go right to sleep and straight to REM sleep. REM latency means how long it takes to go to REM stage sleep. Normal is around 90 minutes. People with narcolepsy might get there in just a very short number of minutes.
Could also be REM rebound..google it for more in depth explanation.
Given the REM latency was 63 minutes...that isn't horribly abbreviated and my thoughts would lean towards REM rebound or it might just be somewhat normal for you.
Now if it was 10 minutes REM latency...different story.

Carefully research all your options. I know that slapping on a mask isn't high on your list of thing you want to do right now.
You do have options but they all come with some pros and cons...just like the cpap machine and mask.

[jbt1125]

Pugsy, not the first to tell you this I am sure....but thanks for such thoughtful responses and contributions to this forum. Very helpful. I know that the hypopneas arent minor/anything to sneeze at. I am just getting more and more educated on my findings, CPAP immediately vs. talk to sleep dr, etc.

I strongly suspect the REM latency abbreviation is more rebound related... I am 99% sure that I dont have narcolepsy, etc.

Plan for now is to go tonight, probably will do that regardless. But I am interested in perspectives on these results.

thanks again!

[Pugsy]

Good luck tonight. I would go ahead with the titration study if it were me and your results were mine.
Not because I am gung ho always use cpap as first option but because I would want to experience that option...just in case.
Just in case I found out it wasn't such a big deal...just in case I did feel better even though I might think I wasn't feeling bad.

I did feel horrible so I had a real goal and impetus to use the machine but I do understand where you are coming from.
I actually put off getting tested for 2 years after my husband started telling me that "you have sleep apnea...your snoring is horrible and you are stopping breathing all night long" He is a truck driver and sleep apnea is/was often discussed.
So I pooh poohed him off and got worse and worse. In my case it was the typical menopause thing that women often get.
When we first married he said I never snored and never had problems breathing but I can pretty much pin point the year it started. We have talked about it often trying to figure out how long I had OSA and chose to ignore it.
My doctor at the time...chalked it up to hormones...because I didn't fit the typical picture of OSA person..small, tiny female with a 13 inch neck (which I still have). It took a move across country and a new doctor to ask a simple question when I told him I didn't sleep so great and was sleepy all the time..."do you snore"...and the rest is history.
I actually welcomed the diagnosis because then I had something to fight.
I understand where you are coming from...you don't feel horrible ....yet...so it is hard to wrap your brain around this whole thing.

Use the cpap machine while trying to lose the weight and while maybe even considering the other options. The weight coming off may or may not fix it. Take care of yourself the best you can while you are considering your other options.
Don't let it go and cause damage to your body that can be prevented while you are trying other things or trying to make up your mind that this really is a big deal.

[jbt1125]

For those that had an initial sleep study, then a CPAP titration, did you meet with/speak to your sleep doctor in between the studies? Or just go straight through?

[jdm2857]

I haven't had a titration study, but I would think that it makes sense to have the titration results to discuss with your sleep doctor.

I would think differently if you had reason to believe that your sleep doctor might have special instructions for your study.

[caffeinatedcfo]

For those that had an initial sleep study, then a CPAP titration, did you meet with/speak to your sleep doctor in between the studies? Or just go straight through?

I paddled down the River De'Nile for a couple of weeks and demanded to meet with my sleep doc and consult options first: CPAP, Surgery, weight loss, etc. I then got an auto-machine and used it 3 weeks while waiting for titration. I wasted another month of my life blowing off titration to meet with doc first.

My advice - get titrated, get your machine, meet with doc. The titration will help define treatment options. DO NOT get discouraged in the beginning if CPAP doesn't rest easy with you. We are a huge resource. BE SURE THEY GIVE YOU A FULL DATA CPAP MACHINE!

[Pugsy]

I had first sleep study...then titration study...then got my machine...saw sleep doctor's PA after 90 days.
Only saw the sleep doctor for about 15 seconds at the original first visit to order the very first sleep study. He looked in my throat and that was it. Mr Personality he wasn't.

I was okay with this. His PA is a true gem and I was already okay with the diagnosis and all that.

When in doubt...go with what satisfies your own personal needs so that you are comfortable with the situation and your decision. If your gut tells you that you want to talk to the doctor first...talk to him first.

[zoocrewphoto]

Good luck tonight. I would go ahead with the titration study if it were me and your results were mine.
Not because I am gung ho always use cpap as first option but because I would want to experience that option...just in case.
Just in case I found out it wasn't such a big deal...just in case I did feel better even though I might think I wasn't feeling bad.

I dreaded my study as I was sure I wouldn't be able to sleep with the mask. I was surprised that it didn't bother me when the tech had mt try it out before the diagnosis phase. Then later she woke me and had me sleep with the machine. I rolled over and slept 5 hours straight. And I felt great. I hadn't done that in years.

I went from dreading the machine to being excited. I couldn't wait to finally get mine. I spent years feeling like crap because I was dreading the use of a cpap machine.

[jbt1125]

I am at the titration study now, about to get wired up....

[PreemieNrsTiffy]

I hope you are sleeping comfortably right now!!

[Kenwood]

Sleep well

[jbt1125]

Thanks. Just did some trial runs. Could do the lowest setting all day long. When she cranked it up to give a sense, didnt like the sensation in my chest/stomach. The pressure in nose and mask don't bother me at all. I have a hiatal hernia, could that be the cause?