severe OSA or not?

Organplayer · Post by **Organplayer** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:30 pm

My apnea was 84 per hour and my oxygen level went down to the high 40's. My tech said if I did not get on CPAP I would be dead in 5 to 7. Since my family has a history of strokes. geuess where this going.

echo · Post by **echo** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:43 pm

My apnea was 84 per hour and my oxygen level went down to the high 40's.

40's.... Yikes! I hope the treatment is helping!!

echo · Post by **echo** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:48 pm

I have mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I was told that I needed a CPAP to treat this, however, I was also told that many people with mild to moderate apnea do not tolerate the CPAP very well..

Probably because those with mild/moderate apnea seem to have less detrimental physical/mental effects from the apnea, and therefore less motivation to continue with the difficult treatment, but I guess that myth is being blown out the water here.... That doesn't sound very encouraging that they are telling people this, even if it is a 'fact', it only puts a negative thought into a person's head!

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 8:28 am

Very true, Echo, that is an irresponsible statement even if it is true!

Is Echo your first name? I have a friend named Echo here in the states. Jen

Sleepdeprived · Post by **Sleepdeprived** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:17 am

[quote="echo"]First, thanks in advance to anyone who can help with this...

Second, I have tried to read as much as I can on the forum already but since everyone is different, I'm still a bit unsure as to what it means for me.

So I have been diagnosed with "Severe" OSA (haven't gone on treatment yet; waiting for second appt)

However, from what I've read about sleep efficiency and SA02 levels, I don't seem to fall into the 'severe' category. I guess what bothers me is that I seem to have quite severe side-effects from the apnea, it is very disruptive to my work, studies, memory, cognitive function, concentration, weight. I cannot go by on less than 10 hours of sleep, and usually need more. Of course periodic insomnia doesn't help. I know it's severe , and that it's affecting me, but since some of the stats don't fall into the 'severe' category, I wonder if I'm unjustified in feeling so physically miserable?? Anyway I guess I'm ranting more than anything, but I would love insight from those more experienced with this... thanks!!!

Stats:
Sleep efficiency = 81%
Sleep latency time = 43 min
REM latency time = 79 min
Slow wave sleep = 19%
REM sleep = 12%
Arousal index = 38.3
AHI = 35.5 (obstructive in origin)
Average oxygen saturation = 96.7%
Min SA02 = 93.2%

thanks...

echo · Post by **echo** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:51 pm

Jen, nope, it's part of my standard handle, and part of my email name, but since this is a public forum i didn't want to use my email as my username so I just used the last half (magn + echo: source of my username is another long story). anyhoooo long story short, my first name is actually Asli.
Never met anyone before named "echo", though it sounds kinda neat. Wonder if your friend ever got teased for such a name when they were a kid?

ColoradoDreamer · Post by **ColoradoDreamer** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:10 pm

Your O2 levels do appear to be within the “normal range”. Been explained to me that the mid 90’s is the acceptable range. Sounds like a reading when you were awake. Perhaps the O2 sensor was hooked up to one of the Techs

But I noticed that your REM sleep is 12%. It was explained to me by my ENT that normal REM is around 24%. Your’s is half that and help explain you being tired. Mine was 7% and I noticed a big improvement in the way I felt the morning after the sleep study after being on the CPAP for half the night (My REM number went up to normal level on CPAP).

The majority of my AHI’s (80) occurred when I was in REM, which I understand is normal for most. One’s body is in a “paralyzed” state at that time hence increased chance for airway blockage.

Ask your Dr. questions...its your health. I kept asking my ENT questions from my list even when he was trying to walk out the exam room. He was done but I was not. I wanted to know what my numbers meant.

echo · Post by **echo** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 5:51 pm

thank you very much for your feedback Coloradodreamer

My GP said that the good O2 level was because I "recovered quickly" from the apneas. Indeed the REM sleep is quite low. I think you may be partially right about being awake during the study - I felt like I slept very little the whole night, and felt like I kept waking up, so perhaps that pulled up the numbers a bit. However even the lowest o2 level was still above 93%. I plan to ask the sleep specialist for the graphs, etc, that came out of the sleep study, but I don't know if they store all that info, and the study was back in May. Also I didn't get a chance to speak with either the sleep specialist or her assistant (apparently I had to make a separate appointment to speak with them), but I plan on doing that after the titration study (yay 6 more days to go!) ... I'm compiling my list of questions as we speak

BTW I read that most apneas occur in the morning hours - I think that fits with the fact that the REM cycles get longer throughout the night.

Mask

severe OSA or not?

Re: severe OSA or not?