What are the helpful sleep test details?

The most information I've gotten from my doctor about my sleep test is that I had 39 "respiratory events" during the night, which led to a diagnosis of mild sleep apnea and a prescription for a Remstar Plus (no C-flex) and Comfort Classic mask. Since reading posts on this board and TAS, I've realized it would be more helpful to find out exactly what types of events those were, what my AHI was, and what my O2 levels were. Are there any other data that I should ask about, like how long I spent in each level of sleep? I'd like to get this info to compare to the info I'll be able to gather from the AutoSpirit I ordered to see if I really improve. That night of sleep was so bad I was surprised they were able to get any useful data.

btw, I've just ended my 3rd attempt to get used the Remstar. I got the machine back in Sept '03, tried it for 5 nights, gave up due to dry nose and mouth leaks. Got a heated humidifier a couple of months later, gave up after 4 nights due to mouth leaks. I started again 3 weeks ago and successfully dealt with the mouth leaks (tape) and rain-out (hose cozy), but now have mask leaks that are keeping me up. 3 weeks of poor sleep have taken their toll and I've decided to go without until my new rig arrives. I also ordered the Reslink module w/oxygen sensor and an Activa mask. This will be my last stand with the CPAP so I figured I'd splurge for the big guns. If I'm defeated, be on the look-out for some high-end Resmed gear.

Hi Noah,
One other thing you might find helpful is the type of apneas you had. A central apnea is a brain event, not an obstruction, and cpap can not (to the best of my non-medical knowledge) help them. I got my Spirit a couple weeks ago, and I love it! I haven't gathered enough data yet for any meaningful conclusions, but am trending closely to the data Derek posted in his chart last Friday. I hope you like the Activa. I love mine. I find it to be very comfortable and relatively leak free, and the best part is that the straps are so loose it almost falls off when the pressure is off. I sure wish ResMed would introduce that technology in a FFM!!
Sleep well in your new gear!

You might want to consider a full face mask if you are having mask leaks...

Thanks, Noddy. I didn't consider to ask about Central events. I'd just assumed that they would have added meds to deal with that, but I'm learning not to assume anything. Can't hurt to ask.

If the Activa and mouth tape don't do it, yes, I may try an FFM like the Ultra-Mirage. That one seems to get a lot of praise 'round these part. So **that** will be my last stand

Why did you go for the Modem? Just curious... personally I got the Remstar Auto with Cflex, with the software. the software does a few things, 1st) it reinforces why I am doing it, 2nd) it lets me know how well its working....

You might be better off to cancel the order for the modem and get the Remstar Auto with Cflex (bout the same price)

I got the Reslink module to glean additional data like O2 levels and pulse rate and because I'm a bit of sucker for gadgets. I'll be able to save info on the smart card as well, rather than lugging the CPAP over to my PC to download (btw, I'm getting the Autoscan software as well). I figured that since I wasn't having trouble breathing out at my prescribed pressure of 7cm, I really wouldn't need the C-flex feature. The Reslink may be overkill, and if it turns the additional data doesn't benefit me any, I may sell it.

Also my doctor recommended the Resmed Auto over the Remstar Auto though because he thought it was a better machine, though frankly I didn't ask him why, which is a habit I must try to develop.

I really went back and forth on this one as so many people on this board and TAS praise the Remstar Auto w/ C-flex, but what's done is done and I'm content to try what I've purchased.

I'm really surprised your doctor didn't give you a copy of your sleep report. Most do. If you are having central apneas, there is no medication, btw. I think the Puritan Bennett, 420E APAP deals best with these. I know I have several central episodes per night and I've slept much better with the 420E than I did with the Resmed Spirit. I also travel a lot so the smaller size was the major consideration when I got that unit.

Did you doctor even say what your oxygen levels were during the night? This can make a big difference too in how badly you need CPAP. Mine went down to 83% which might not seem bad until you know that 90% is when they put you on oxygen at a hospital.

What many folks do not realize is that just because you stop breathing or don't get any air into your lungs only 39 times a night, that is like someone shaking you awake that many times a night. You are having arousals for each event that bring you out of a deep sleep, or you are never getting into a deep sleep because of these arousals and that is what causes your sleep deprivation. And all these events that might cause lower oxygen levels are playing their toll on your heart and other organs. This is why so many people with Sleep Apnea have strokes or heart attacks if they remain untreated too long. And most of us have no idea how long we have had this condition.

Depression, irritability, diabetes, weight gain and other problems also are quite often caused by sleep apnea.

Even if you are sleeping only a few hours a night with your leaky mask, you are getting 2 hours more beneficial sleep than you are without. I'd stick with the old mask, tape your mouth or use an Ace bandage to keep your mouth shut and cope until your new unit arrives. The consequences of not sleeping with it are, for me, too severe, not to.

I want to live a good many more years, and I know that my life is literally hanging on that bedpost and I have to use it.

Call your MD and tell him you want to pick up a full copy of your sleep study this afternoon or tomorrow. That way they know you want it and your coming to get it.

Good Luck.

Unfortunately Kaiser Permanente has a frustrating rule forbidding them to release a patient's own records to him without that patient submitting a written request form. So I filled that out, submitted it and now have to wait for it to wend its way through the bureaucracy. I was, however, able to sneak a peak at my sleep test on the computer monitor and it turns out that I didn't have 39 events in one night, but 93! The neurologist I spoke to (not the same doc I saw today) had transposed the numbers when talking to me over the phone.

In a way, I feel a little better knowing that I'm not so borderline anymore, especially having just ordered all this pricey equipment.

I apparently was asleep for 6.5 hours and had an oxygen level of 92% at its lowest. So my AHI I believe is 14.3 (93 events / 6.5 hours asleep).

As far as sticking with the CPAP rig I have now, I just can't deal with the mask leaks. The new one should be here soon and I think that right now at least, I get more rest with than without.

Janelle, you mention depression as one of the results of suffering from apnea. 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and have been on and off meds since. Lots of $$ into therapy too (which I don't regret in any case as it's helped me cope with life's various curveballs). I'm probably genetically prone to depression as it runs in the family, but I'm thinking that my moods may lighten up if the CPAP therapy works out. Or perhaps sleep apnea is a the real genetic culprit and I'm the first to be diagnosed?