Hypopnea Question From Newbie

-

-

Things have changed a lot in 10 years from what I have read.

Lots of recent studies have come out linking apnea to increased risk of stroke, heart disease,
and other nasty disorders, so the medical comunity treats apnea
more aggressively now. CPAP (XPAP) is very popular right now. In most
cases it can treat apnea with 100% effectiveness - if you pass the ring of fire initiation -
which about 50% do.

Apnea awareness is on the rise right now too, it has been called the most undiagnosed
disease in America for example.

Those low O2 stats of your combined with many arousals make for misery and lots of health
problems if I understand things correctly (lotsa ppl here know more than me).

I would find another sleep doctor (one specializing in sleep disorders) and go get some CPAP.

Agreed, that's ANYTHING but mild OSA. While it doesn't matter so much if you call it "moderate" or "severe" OSA, it's definitely OSA, as indicated by the large number of hypopnea's and the desaturations (1 every 3 minutes) , and the large number of arousals (nearly 2 every 3 minutes). Hypopnea's ARE significant, especially if you go with the definition where they are accompanied by oxygen desaturations. I would say OSA explains many if not all of your symptoms. The oxygen desats as well as the arousals will both wreck your brain and your heart...

Get on CPAP!! and Welcome to the Forum!

Many of us weren't diagnosed until very late in life or after falling asleep at the wheel, a few us of are lucky to have been diagnosed before our 40's. In your case, at least be glad it's getting caught NOW (again, ) before the OSA wrecks your body and life even more. If your GP isn't convinced that you had or now have OSA, find one that knows what they're talking about!

And it might very well be worth it for you to do both the PSG and the titration study IN the lab, rather than at home (titration = where they determine your optimal pressure).. You don't want to miss out on any other issues that might come up - central apnea's, restless legs, etc, which can't be measured at an at-home PSG.

Keep us posted!