In the UK.....Sleep Study came back with a low AHI but RDI, thinking of buying an APAP anyway

Hi all. My first post here so apologies in advance for any non-conventional matters.
23m, UK, 103kg, 175cm, meds: levothyroxine 25mcg for underactive thyroid.

Been having horrible sleep the past year, i am a mouth breather and sometimes wake myself up snoring / increased heartbeat. Can't say I was gasping for air though. I got a WatchPAT sleep study done. Please see below results. I would really appreciate any guidance.

I feel like I actually slept very good the night I did the sleep study. I usually sleep with my mouth open but I think I successfully slept with my mouth closed all night. So perhaps this was not a good day to take the study!

It's a very low AHI, but a moderate RDI. Could this be resolved with an APAP like the airsense 10 and a nasal pillow mask? Is it worth a shot?

Thank you in advance
themaskedbanker

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M5c9tp ... drive_link

Hi the masked banker,

Well, you've done enough reading to be able to tell the difference between AHI and RDI and you've taken the initiative and found an at-home sleep study supplier in the UK. And that effort and that initiative are to be applauded ...

... but not, I think, with a diagnosis.

The commonly accepted divisions in terms of severity for OSA are: AHI of 5 to 15, mild to moderate; 15 to 30, moderate to severe; 30 and above, severe.

With 0 to 5 as normal. Which is what your numbers say.

There is something, you say, disturbing your sleep, but it doesn't appear to be sleep apnea.

If you want to try an APAP machine to make doubly sure, then you have these options:

a. You can buy a machine and use if for a while. Please note: both the leading manufacturers in the UK will need a prescription or 'scrip' from either a hospital sleep departmennt or a gp before they will sell a machine to you.

b. You can rent a machine for a week at a time. Last time I checked, there was one outfit in London renting machines, and another outfit called Hope2Sleep, oop North. In Hull, if I remember correctly. But the fee is quite high, and you woud not want to hire for more than a couple of weeks, otherwise you might as well buy a machine,

The NHS, via any of its sleep clinics, is unlikely to let you try out a machine for a couple of weeks. They are much more likely to take the ethical position that, if you were to insist on presenting yourself as a possible patient, then they would insist that you repeat the sleep study.

And please also note: the NHS treats only at an AHI of 15 and above.

c. You could buy a second-user machine with a price saving compared to new, The US is the most likely source for this. If you were to take this option, then find a retaiier who knows about UK Customs and Excise paperwork.

So ... if I can say it again: I accept what you say – that your sleep is not rewarding and refreshing. But there are many possible reasons for that, other than sleep apnea. IMO, you need to find a consultant doctor who specialises in the whole range of sleep problems.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/me ... ance-index

RDI stands for Respiratory Disturbance Index.
Your RDI in REM sleep borders on the severe range.

Your sleep is indeed disrupted by respiratory events, and Positive Air Pressure therapy may indeed help.

Go for it.

I wonder if your doctor has considered different ways to modify your levothyroxine - eg taking it at a different time of day, or changing the dosage, etc. etc. because it may well be half the problem. Have you looked up side FX to see what they say - it can cause insomnia. Any way to add (or subtract) some other lesser med to help?