Had my 2nd sleep study done and the results almost make it look like I don't have sleep apnea anymore..but the problem is that I don't really feel any better (I actually had the 2nd study done because I felt that I was getting worse).

I have tried to tolerate cpap since my first study but haven't been able to tolerate it, but I will be revisiting it again to try and get used to it.  Here are my results from the 2 studies:

First Study:

5/2004 (Age 33)
Weight:  165 lbs (bmi: 27)
Sleep Efficiency:  72%
Low saturation:  78%
RERA #:  56
AHI: 7
% of sleep in REM:  10%
A lot of apneas in REM sleep (they didn't measure REM AHI back then)

2nd Study:

4/2008 (Age 37)
Weight:  145 lbs (bmi: 23)
Sleep Efficiency:  71%
Low saturation:  80%
RERA #:  20
AHI: 3
% of sleep in REM:  8%
REM AHI:  27

The question I have is that it almost looks (based on my AHI & RDI outside of REM) that with the second study I don't have a problem anymore, but all my apneas are occuring only in REM sleep.  I lost 20 lbs since the last study but I don't feel any better.  Some days I feel somewhat ok, other days, I feel awful.  Would insurance start excluding me from CPAP related DME's based on these results or does REM AHI mean something to them? Are my REM AHI relatively bad?   (I will check with my insurance but I figured I would see if people have run into this type of thing with their insurance co's).  My sleep Doc is going to have me try and get used to cpap again.

One more question:  Any ideas on things I can do to try and increase my REM sleep?  

Thanks for any advice you guys can give me.

CONGRATULATIONS on the weight loss! And the weight loss obviously improved your OSA, reducing the episodes quite drastically. Most apnea episodes occur whilst in REM sleep and/or whilst supine (on your back). Notice that even your lowest 02 desaturation improved by 2%.

Since you were interested enough to search and find this apnea forum you "might" find you'd be more compliant w/CPAP therapy if you had a fully data capable CPAP so you could check your own data each morning. Give you something to look forward to. AND some information to work with so you could take an active part in your CPAP therapy and have some control over it.

You know, after the correct pressure setting for you, the MASK is the real key to CPAP therapy. You NEED to find that RIGHT mask for you that is comfortable and w/which you experience very few leaks. Pressure leaking due to an ill-fitting mask, thru mouth leaks or even gentle leaks thru the lips is just CPAP pressure therapy going out the window and doing you no good at all.


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