New patient - Not sure how CPAP will work for me

[jshuler43]

I recently had a Polysomnogram (sleep study?) and was told that I wasn't getting enough oxygen and to go back for a study with the CPAP on. I went back this week for the second test, but as usual only was able to sleep about four hours. The therapist told me that I don't get enough REM sleep and didn't sleep long enough so the test wasn't helpful. But then she said I needed a CPAP anyway. It's hard for me to understand how the CPAP will work if it didn't help me get anymore sleep or quality sleep.

I have a copy of my first evaluation and the diagnosis was OSAHS with Significant Hypoxemia. It says that I have PLMS, significant sleep disordered breathing, and low (7%) REM time. I'm not sure about the other info - doesn't sound like it's as bad as most - apnea/hypopnea index of 6.9, sleep efficiency was 77.27%, oxygen low of 77%, minimum heart rate 26 and maximum 81. Arousal index - 3.0. Labored breathing and breathing through the mouth.

My problem is going to sleep, I have to take Ambien CR to sleep, but even with the Ambien CR, I only get about 4-4 1/2 hours sleep. I can go back to sleep usually (not during the study unfortunately!) for an hour or so.

I would love anyone who could give me more comprehension on how the CPAP would help and if there is any other avenue that I might consider. Thanks!

[kteague]

Comparing your test results to others is not the concern - compare them to the norms. A sleep efficiency like yours must affect your daytime performance. Your oxygen is low enough to warrant legitimate concern, and that lowest heart rate would send me to the cardiologist's office when it opens in the morning, if not already to the ER. When my mother's was 35 they said to take her to the ER. When it was 25, she was prepped for emergency overnite surgery to implant a pacemaker. It may be the PLMS waking you up if no medicine for them.
Kathy

[inacpapfog]

Sure sounds like the PLMS is causing poor sleep, along with OSA, serious enough to drop your O2 into the 70's! And the low heart rate is indeed a red flag!! Hope you get started on therapy very soon! Your body is starving for O2! No telling which body organs/proceses have been suffering the most from substandard O2! Once you get going on cpap, your should see a big difference in yout energy level and mental clarity. Good Luck!!!

[jshuler43]

Thanks for the replies! I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, so I suppose that I lump my constant extreme exhaustion off on that. It would be great if getting better sleep would make a difference. I just had a nuclear stress test and was told everything was fine. But I guess I will send a copy of the sleep study to my cardiologist. My internist got a copy of my report and was the one who sent me back for the CPAP study, but otherwise they didn't express any alarm.

My CPAP level just went up to 4 when I did the study. The therapist said that was because of my length of sleep and lack of REM sleep, that they couldn't get a good study. Since the CPAP didn't help that night, will it have a chance of helping me if I get one?

Should I get an APAP because they didn't get good levels during the study? Do most people on the board have one APAP that seems to be the best?

What kind of help is there for for PLMS?

Thanks for all the help, it's great to find this board!

[krousseau]

Medicare & my insurance only require two hours of sleep during the study to reimburse for equiment so you might not have a nice study but sound like they got enough info to treat you. APAP would sound like a good idea as well medication for the PLMD to see if you can get some more sleep. That no one said anything about the slow heart rate and low O2 levels seems incredible to me. I'll second Kathy's advice.