I posted this on the main forum, but I'm copying to this one as well just in case.

Sleep study results: any advice?
I just received the results of my initial sleep study.  Some of it I understand, some I don't.  The lab director reviewed some of the results with me over the phone, but any insight you all have is welcome.

Time in Bed:  386 minutes
Total Sleep Time:  223.45 minutes
Sleep Efficiency:  57.9%
Sleep Onset:  120 minutes (I was really anxious and it was noisy in the lab)
REM Onset:  212.5 minutes

Stage 1:  12 minutes (3.1%)
Stage 2:  143.5 minutes (37.5%)
Stage 3:  10.5 minutes (2.7%%)
Stage 4:  39 minutes (10.1%)
Stage REM:  18.5 minutes (4.8%)
Movement time:  0

# of Respiratory events:

2 obstructive
1 mixed
58 hypopneas for a total of 61 events

Mean Duration

Obstructive:  18.3
Mixed:  16
Hypopneas:  25.9

Max Duration:

Obstructive:  22
Mixed:  16
Hypopneas:  34.5

Apnea/Hypopnea Index:  16.4
REM Index:  22.7
Non-REM Index:  15.8

Average 02 while awake:  96%
Average 02 while in REM:  95
Average 02 while in Non-REM:  95
Minimuim 02 91%

Arousal index 17.9/ hour

My diagnosis is Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea.  I have Excessive Daytime Sleepiness.  I had another sleep study with CPAP last night.  My tech said she had me titrated up to 14.  However, the doctor decided on a setting of 10. I get my CPAP tomorrow.

With my OSA being on the low end of moderate, do my numbers really warrant having CPAP?  I've heard that some doctors won't treat people at this level.  My doctor seems convinced that I need the CPAP.

Is it reasonable that I will feel significantly better with CPAP?  Or are my numbers so borderline that it probably won't make much difference?

Hi Awnewkirk!
I guess to answer that, there are 3 things that cause excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) as they relate to sleep.  From a post I put up elsewhere:

Quote:

Insufficient sleep. The company line is 7.5 hours per night.

Insufficient quality sleep (Sleep Stage Totals). The breakdown of sleep by stage is Stage 1 5%, Stage 2 55-60%, Stage 3&4 20%, and REM 20%. Stage 3/4 gives you the most rest. Reduction in REM due to anti-depressants should not make you tired.

Insufficient quality sleep (Breaks in Sleep Continuity). This is really why we're all here. Every time you have an arousal, like after a hypopnea, apnea or PLM, there is not only a break in sleep continuity, but you also back up at least one sleep stage (except for REM, where you go to Stage 2 or 1, you can't go SWS-REM or vice versa). So OSA keeps bumping you into lighter stages of sleep, and this contributes to #2.

Very decreased and late REM there, antidepressants can cause that.

AHI's from 5-14 can cause EDS.  And actually, we're really looking at the arousal index, which is a tiny bit more elevated at 17.9.

So, yes, CPAP could very well help.

Insufficient sleep must also always be considered, but it sounds like the lab night was no way like your regular night's sleep.

Good luck.
sleepydave

Dave, thanks for the information.

Wow, anti-depressants can cause a reduction in REM?  I did not know that.  I take Lexapro and Wellbutrin.  I had no idea they were affecting my sleep quality like that.  I wonder if that would be a reason to try to come off of them.

No, the sleep lab was definitely not a typical night.  But it doesn't matter how much I sleep, whether it's a lot or a little, I'm still tired.

I'm looking forward to giving the CPAP a try.  Thanks for the support!

Amy

Hi Amy!
And depression may be linked to sleep apnea, there's a bunch of material out there, like:
Depression and Sleep Apnea
Lexapro can cause sleep disturbances.
On the other hand, depression can create all kinds of sleep disorders, so don't flush everything yet.
The bottom line is, with this new information, discuss your overall treatment plan with your physician, there's a good and bad to everything, and all the factors must be considered to fine-tune your sleep and overall health.  Good luck!
sleepydave