sleep study (PLMD) and health issues - will CPAP help?

with an AHI that low, I wouldn't expect a dramatic increase with a CPAP, though I do find your O2 sat oddly low.

My AHI was also pretty low, and I'm still pretty fatigued, and experiencing an arousal index around 24, mostly spontaneous, but the CPAP is still important to be using because of the cardiovascular relief. Reduces the contributions mild apnea can have on heart/stroke chances.

Your sleep issues are obviously pretty complex, and seem a lot like my own. I'm taking tryptophen/5htp to help balance my mood and stabilize the sleep since I've had bad interactions with SSRIs - they make me a lot more tired in the day. Also been using an e-cig and caffeine, both have eliminated my unexpected sleep attacks during the day.

I'm surprised your doc hasn't rx'd you some Provigil/modafinil yet... that in combination with a mood/sleep stabilizer like an ssri, 5htp, or tryptophen will likely be a decent combo for both the depression and sleepiness/fatigue you're experiencing.

Sorry I haven't been back here to post. After my titration study, they put me at a pressure of 14, which is so high for me to get used to. I use the ramp feature and will still wake up when the pressure is high. They said they had to put it that high to stop my snoring. I was really looking forward to treating my RLS, even though it would mean another med. I never started on the meds the neurologist tried to put me on, and I have cut down my klonopin to .5 mg 2x/day. I have to stop it soon because we found out that we're going to have a little one in November! Also, my DH is deployed for 6 months (he left a week ago), so alot of changes. Those of you who were already concerned about my meds, try not to freak out to much, I'm seeing a high-risk OB along with my regular OB.

Anyway back to CPAP. I tried to get used to the pressure for a few nights, and had the extended stomach and felt horrible, so last night I switched it down to an 8. I didn't rip my mask off, but the data shows that I had events, so I'm going to raise it back up to around 11 tonight and see what that does. My ASI was 3.39 according to SH. Snoring was only shown right after I fell asleep. Which I don't understand how the machine knows if I'm snoring. If someone can fill me in on that, great.

My DME, who I actually liked, called today to see how things were going, and wasn't happy that I figured out how to change the pressure. She mentioned that the Dr wouldn't be either, so a little nervous about seeing him in 2 weeks even though I plan to work my way up to 14 before I see him. Not trying to self treat really, just think that getting used to it slowly will help compliance.

Rynn, I think you're on the right track. The biggest hurdle many have to overcome is just getting used to the equipment. If you can wear your mask through the night at 8, in my opinion that's much better than not wearing it and getting no treatment. You said an ASI of 3.39. I assume you meant an AHI of 3.39. That's pretty good. Remember, anything under 5 is considered to be within normal limits. Some machines do have sensors that can determine snores, I assume your does, I'm not familiar with it, though. Someone will be along who is. Again, I'd say you're on the right track and I think your doctor should be pleased.

Jay,

I am concerned about this comment in Rynn's OP,

The nurse at the clinic said that I have very mild sleep apnea, only stopped breathing 6/hr. But my limb movement was 35/hr and o2 sat was down to 67%. My main concern is the O2 sat.

This could be a misinterpretation of the O2 study by the nurse. It needs to be clarified what the actual diagnosis is. Low AHI and very low O2 are not the usual combination.

She also says,

What I do take for sleep is Soma, klonopin, abilify, trazadone and a crap load of melatonin. Right now I'm up to 50mg of it!

I can imagine with this cocktail in the bloodstream, a sleep study might not be indicative of non-drugged breathing issues.

ChicagoGramps

Thanks Jay. I did mean AHI. I feel like I'm doing what I can w/o bugging the dr., even though I guess I should let him know. I like to be in control of my care and it really bugged me before I learned how to change the settings (thanks to this great board). We're military, so we move every 3 years so I never know what type of drs I will have.

Granny, what I think may of happened during that study was a false reading. The reason why is because during my titration study, the tech had to come in and move the oximeter (is that what it's called?) to my other hand because I was sleeping with that hand under my pillow and it was picking up false readings, so it stands to reason that it happened during the first study since I sleep that way often.

As far as the cocktail, unfortunately, it's been over 15 yrs since I didn't take something for sleep, so that's the norm for me ATM. At one point, I was DX'ed with delayed circadian rhythm disorder, even though I'm doubting that dx now.

Haven't looked at my data for last night yet, but I know that I had some leaks, which I haven't been aware of before. I did move my pressure up to 10 last night, so I'll see what the data says in a bit.

As always thanks to everyone who is helping,
Rynn

Rynn01 wrote:
"As far as the cocktail, unfortunately, it's been over 15 yrs since I didn't take something for sleep, so that's the norm for me ATM. At one point, I was DX'ed with delayed circadian rhythm disorder, even though I'm doubting that dx now."

Have you tried light therapy for the circadian rythm issues? For some people it helps normalize the sleep cycle and also reduces the need for antidepressants.