Basically the doctor told me that I have sleep apnea and at the second sleep study the cpap was really helping, and I am to go back in 10days to get my cpap. Here are the results, total recording time 444.3 min, total sleep time 390.5min
sleep efficiency 88.9%
sleep latency 23min
a total of 11.8% REM sleep with a REM latency of 147.5  mins
6.8% stage 1, 81.4% stage 2, no stage 3 or 4 sleep
cortical arousal index 6.6
12 obstructive, 1 central and 0 mixed apneas
91 hypopneas for a total number of 104 apneas and hypopneas with a RDI 16.0
RDI in REM was 40.4 versus non-REM RDI of 12.7
respiratory arousal index of 4.8
mean SAO2 for the total sleep time was 96% with the lowest being 87% with 0:00:26.0 min below 90%
The report said moderate sleep apnea but when I asked him if my condition is serious he said yes.
I will bring the report to my GP to have her explain to me in more detail but in the meantime any advice is greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.

alwayssleepy wrote:

Basically the doctor told me that I have sleep apnea and at the second sleep study the cpap was really helping, and I am to go back in 10days to get my cpap. Here are the results, total recording time 444.3 min, total sleep time 390.5min
sleep efficiency 88.9%
sleep latency 23min
a total of 11.8% REM sleep with a REM latency of 147.5  mins
6.8% stage 1, 81.4% stage 2, no stage 3 or 4 sleep
cortical arousal index 6.6
12 obstructive, 1 central and 0 mixed apneas
91 hypopneas for a total number of 104 apneas and hypopneas with a RDI 16.0
RDI in REM was 40.4 versus non-REM RDI of 12.7
respiratory arousal index of 4.8
mean SAO2 for the total sleep time was 96% with the lowest being 87% with 0:00:26.0 min below 90%
The report said moderate sleep apnea but when I asked him if my condition is serious he said yes.
I will bring the report to my GP to have her explain to me in more detail but in the meantime any advice is greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.

Hi alwayssleepy!

I would encourage you to spend some time reading the "stickies" on this forum - they will help much with your understanding of what your numbers actually mean.

Sleep apnea tends to be self compounding.  The stresses placed on the body through the apneas and hypopneas tend to stress the parts of the brain and body which try to prevent them actually damageing them over time.

So, it is important to treat this now thus preventing further damage!

CPAP is a pain but much better than the damage to your body that would result without it.   If you loose weight, exercise, take up a good hobby and see some good friends and work to deal with the stresses and alergies in your life you may eventually get to the point where you no longer need CPAP and regardless will be happier.

I think your doctor gave you a good wake up call.

May we both treat ourselves much better!

Todzo

Thanks for your words of support Todzo!
I am slowing beginning to understand what sleep apnea is and how the cpap can help.
Of course like most who has just been diagnosed, I still have a lot of questions in my head, wanting to better educate myself before my next step in getting better.
From what I have read, my AHI is 16 which is considered moderate apnea. My average O2 was ok, although it did drop to below 90% but not for too long.
I think the reason that I always still feel exhausted after sleep is because I never reached stage 3 or 4.
I am thinking to ask my GP to refer me to an ENT first before going to pick my CPAP, what do you think?
I haven't told my husband yet about getting a cpap soon, he thinks a simple surgery will cure the snoring. This is all new to us.

alwayssleepy wrote:

Thanks for your words of support Todzo!
I am slowing beginning to understand what sleep apnea is and how the cpap can help.
Of course like most who has just been diagnosed, I still have a lot of questions in my head, wanting to better educate myself before my next step in getting better.
From what I have read, my AHI is 16 which is considered moderate apnea. My average O2 was ok, although it did drop to below 90% but not for too long.
I think the reason that I always still feel exhausted after sleep is because I never reached stage 3 or 4.
I am thinking to ask my GP to refer me to an ENT first before going to pick my CPAP, what do you think?
I haven't told my husband yet about getting a cpap soon, he thinks a simple surgery will cure the snoring. This is all new to us.

Hi alawayssleepy!

My AHI is 56 if memory serves, and my lowest oxygen saturation level (nadir) is 55%!  The effects on my life have led to retirement at 54.
Good to treat it now!

Your Respiratory Disturbance Index of 16 (somewhat comparable to AHI) and O2 nadir of 87% probably means that permanent damage is minimal.

I tend to agree that lack of REM tends you toward sleepiness.

If you are considering surgery seeing a few specialists will need to be part of the plan.  That is all about structure.  With the exception of the little plastic inserts in the soft pallet and similar places I tend to shy away from it.  It is so  brutal and people seem to be going back every few years for some kind of re-do.  Still, the relationship with your husband is vital.  I would spend some time viewing here:

 Sleep Apnea Support Forum Index » A Place for Spouses  

Simply to understand how what you do and are going through affect him.

As a possible alternative to surgery may I suggest:  Sleep Apnea Support Forum Index » Interesting Links » Have Sleep Problems? Play The Didgeridoo - BMJ Article  - - along with exercise and weight loss.  As a practical matter in our society most people do CPAP or surgery.

May we both do well!

Todzo