titration study results look worse??

[kwcrnp]

I had my titration study done last week. They tech said I had some good sleep once I got to my setting. On my first study she told me I had some PVC's (extra heart beats) but didn't mention it at the titration study.

My first study reported no EKG changes, AHI of 15.4, desat to 83% and PLM arousal index of 9.4, 20% REM sleep achieved (normal)

My titration study showed less sleep (would expect that with trying CPAP), AHI of 0, no desat <93%, PLM arousal index of 3.2 but frequent PVC's, couplets (2 PVC's in a row) and bigeminy (every other beat a PVC) and only 1% REM sleep achieved.

To me it seems the CPAP irritated my heart and actually reduced my REM sleep significantly.....is this common? Does it take time for your body to get use to it?

I get my machine tomorrow, just spoke with Apria, I can get the S9 autoset that will be programmed "as a CPAP" at a pressure of 11.

[Mary Z]

I think it does take your body a while to adjust to the CPAP. A night in the sleep lab is anything but a normal night so I wouldn't worry too much about the changes.I have never heard anything about CPAP actually changing your sleep architecture, but I wonder if it could?
Good luck. Keep us posted on your progress.

[archangle]

Don't ignore the heart issues. If you have heart problems, it wouldn't surprise me if any particular change in your general health conditions makes your heart problems change.

Lots of things change if you stop having apneas. Breathing changes, blood O2 levels, stress hormones, etc. There's a LOT of feedback and interaction in things affecting your heart. Even something that's good in general might cause changes in your heart.

Yes, it takes time to adjust. Sometimes you feel worse even though things are getting better. You body may have gotten used to being oxygen and sleep deprived and you may feel bad as you adjust to not having breathing problems.

Be sure it's an S9 AutoSet, not an S9 "Auto" or "Escape Auto." Look next to the power button before you accept it and be sure it says AutoSet.

[Kairosgrammy]

What kind of mask did you use. Did you feel anxious? It took me a few days to figure out that my claustophobia wasn't a fan of a nasal mask, forget a ffm. Perhaps anxiety caused the PVCs and the lack of REM sleep. Perhaps think about nasal pillows. I'm way far from a doctor but I know my heart about beat itself out of my chest with the nasal mask. I would definitely talk to your doctor though particularly if you've had heart issues or a history of heart issues in your family.

I had my titration study done last week. They tech said I had some good sleep once I got to my setting. On my first study she told me I had some PVC's (extra heart beats) but didn't mention it at the titration study.

My first study reported no EKG changes, AHI of 15.4, desat to 83% and PLM arousal index of 9.4, 20% REM sleep achieved (normal)

My titration study showed less sleep (would expect that with trying CPAP), AHI of 0, no desat <93%, PLM arousal index of 3.2 but frequent PVC's, couplets (2 PVC's in a row) and bigeminy (every other beat a PVC) and only 1% REM sleep achieved.

To me it seems the CPAP irritated my heart and actually reduced my REM sleep significantly.....is this common? Does it take time for your body to get use to it?

I get my machine tomorrow, just spoke with Apria, I can get the S9 autoset that will be programmed "as a CPAP" at a pressure of 11.

[kwcrnp]

I'll make sure its an "auto-set" - thanks.

I have no heart issues nor does my family. No high blood pressure and my cholesterol is a wonderful 145. I am a full time mouth breather since childhood so I used a
Quattro FX mask which I found comfortable and no issues with claustrophobia. I did feel anxious the first time they turned up the pressures, I felt as I had just fallen to sleep and WOW. Once I figured out that they had increased the pressure I was fine. I did wake up with each increase (the tech confirmed that in the AM).

I'll just have to see how treatment goes....I hope I get more then 1% REM sleep, thats when your body heals and repairs itself!!!

[chunkyfrog]

Good! Pay attention to what the name plates on the machine say--not just what they TELL you.
Do not accept any machine that says "ESCAPE" anywhere on it.
I know: beating a dead horse here. --but it keeps my conscience clear.

[Julie]

Hi - ask your doctor about random PVC's, they're usually harmless, don't really signify anything meaningful unless there's a lot more going on and I doubt if they're anything to think about in future... very, very common.

[kwcrnp]

Yeah Julie I know that the PVC's are benign and very common (though I've never noticed them except for one time this week!). Just surprised I had them with the CPAP and not when I was desating and apnic!! I was just wondering more if other people also had a titration study that showed similar findings. No biggy, I'm ready to get my machine!!