I was wondering if anyone knows where to get a home REM monitor.  I've been diagnosed with mild OSA adn am using a CPAP for the last 2 weeks; it seems to make me sleep deeper without tossing adn turning, but I am still tired adn waking up a lot at night.  My primary diagnosis was not getting much REM sleep.  Leg twitches, snoring, and AHI events kept waking my during the first sleep test; during the CPAP my second sleep study, the arousals were minimal, but I only had 4 minutes of REM all night!

The sleep doctor had me try Rozerem, but it made me wake up more and be exahusted the next day.  Now they have me trying Ambien, which seems to have me at least feel rested in the morning, but I'm still tired int he afternoon, and don't want to take drugs every night.  While what really matters is if I find a way to not be tired all day, I was thinking if I had a REM monitor, I could see how different things (herbs, drugs, sleeping position, etc.) affect my REM.

Russell

Hi Russell,

If you Google search "EEG Monitors",  you can find a mini EEG monitor used for paramedics.  the price isn't listed so I am sure it is hefty.  Seems like it would be much easier just to monitor how much you are dreaming.  Once you get over your sleep debt, you should be able to notice an increase in dreaming.  Many people say that they start having the most vivid dreams that they've had in years.

If you are having significant leg twitches which are causing arousals, that is properly termed Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) and is similar to Restless Legs Syndrome which occurs when awake.  Medication is required to quiet that.  I take a low dose of an anti-Parkinson's drug.  I also have to make sure I'm not anemic because an Fe deficiency exacerbate it.

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Russell wrote:

I was wondering if anyone knows where to get a home REM monitor.  I've been diagnosed with mild OSA adn am using a CPAP for the last 2 weeks; it seems to make me sleep deeper without tossing adn turning, but I am still tired adn waking up a lot at night.  My primary diagnosis was not getting much REM sleep.  Leg twitches, snoring, and AHI events kept waking my during the first sleep test; during the CPAP my second sleep study, the arousals were minimal, but I only had 4 minutes of REM all night!

The sleep doctor had me try Rozerem, but it made me wake up more and be exahusted the next day.  Now they have me trying Ambien, which seems to have me at least feel rested in the morning, but I'm still tired int he afternoon, and don't want to take drugs every night.  While what really matters is if I find a way to not be tired all day, I was thinking if I had a REM monitor, I could see how different things (herbs, drugs, sleeping position, etc.) affect my REM.

Russell

Russell,

Why the importance of REM sleep at this stage ? Restful sleep occurs mainly in stages 3 & 4 of Non REM sleep.

REM sleep is normally associated with brain activity (as the brain sorts things out and files them away) as well as dreams.

If you are still sleepy during the day, it is more likely that you are not getting restful sleep and possibly still paying off your sleep debt. If you are waking up a lot during the night it is possible that your sleep cycle is being disturbed still.

There is an excellent multimedia 'family' called the Doze Family on the Sleep Foundation web site. This exsplains in great detail about sleep cycles and the possible problems you are experiencing.

At this stage of things I wouldn't be too concerned about REM sleep.

Daniel


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The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

Daniel,

My doctor says that REM defficit is my biggest problem, and is contributing to a lack of rest (especially because of my high stress load).  Maybe it's not as important as my sleep deficit from a long lack of Stage 3/4 restful sleep, as you say.  And what do I do if my sleep cycle is being disturbed? They just seemed amazed that I was having so little REM,and seemed concerned enough to start recommending bunches of drugs.   At any rate, thanks for the references.  I look forward to reading them.

Russell