Had a sleep study a week and a half ago.  Have a scheduled dr's appt two months out but was curious about the results so I went and got a copy of the report from the sleep study doctor.  Whoa.  I have it way worse than I thought.  Here's what it says:

Sleep efficiency: 84.48%
Global AHI: 43.26
REM AHI: 67.83
Supine AHI: 55.31
"considerable" oxygen desaturation down to 72%
Longest event duration: 74 seconds.

Min heartbeat 55, maximum 101


Interpretation:  "Moderately severe OSA, becomes quite severe in the supine position and in REM sleep.  This is associated with severe oxygen desaturation down to 72% ...  Recommended he be brought back for a CPAP titration ...strict back avoidance advised"

I have an appointment that's 2 months away.  Should I call the Dr who read the study (who will also be my dr for the followup) and ask that they go ahead and schedule the titration in advance of meeting with them or should I wait until after seeing the doctor?

Also, this is kinda scary. Am I getting "dumber" with each night's sleep due to lack of O2?

--Matt

My numbers were similar, with a slightly higher AHI.
The doc's recommendation to avoid sleeping on your back is (in my opinion) nonsensical, we have no control over that once we're asleep.
I have supplemental O2 to keep my desat up in the high 90's, and I had to have the pressure increased slightly to overcome snoring and apnea events while I'm supine.
My doc says the big worry with desaturation isn't loss of brain cells (whew) but the increased risk of heart arrhythmia and stress (just as scary, though).

It is kinda scary. I'm glad I got it checked. I'm pretty young (i think anyway) for this sort of thing (34).  I really need to get my family checked...

mundele wrote:

I have an appointment that's 2 months away.  Should I call the Dr who read the study (who will also be my dr for the followup) and ask that they go ahead and schedule the titration in advance of meeting with them or should I wait until after seeing the doctor?
--Matt

Yeah, call the doc and get the titration scheduled. Sooner they do it, the sooner you get treatment started.

Ask to be put on their cancellation list for the titration study. Let them know how much advance notice you would need. Can you be there w/in an hour of their phone call? Do you need 24 hour notice? Then call twice a week to see if there have been any cancellations. The first patient they talk to that can fill the titration slot gets the cancelled titration slot.

Don't let them cancel your sleep doctor appointment tho. It is quite possible if you are really flexible on the amount of notice you need to take a cancelled titration slot that you can discuss both your sleep evaluation AND titration results w/him at your currently scheduled appointment.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Ok I will have to call the sleep study place as well as the sleep doctor to see what they can do about scheduling a titration earlier than 2 months away.

How severe are my numbers?  Should I be scared?

flexibility is a big key. I was told I had sleep apnea at about 11:00 am and that there was
a cancilation and could I do the titration that night? I said yes and got the thing over with.
Still took 2 weeks or so the get my equipment but I was lucky to get the titration over with
so quickly.

I wouldn't be afraid, Mundele, but there are a couple of things you can do meanwhile to help a bit. If you have a recliner try sleeping in that so your torso is somewhat elevated whilst you sleep. Or knot up a couple of old socks and tack them to the back of your PJs so that it is too uncomfortable to sleep on your back. Use some BreatheRite strips on your nose when you go to bed.

Propping yourself up in bed w/pillows doesn't really work as you tend to slip down in your sleep and that bending limits the action of your diaphragm. In the recliner you are bent at your hips, when you slip down the pillows you are bending at and above the waist.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

mundele wrote:

Ok I will have to call the sleep study place as well as the sleep doctor to see what they can do about scheduling a titration earlier than 2 months away.

How severe are my numbers?  Should I be scared?

Nothing to be scared about.  Concerned, yes, but you have lived this long with it so another week or two isn't going to kill you.

I concur with the advice to get on the cancellation list.  It worked wonders for me...I was scheduled a few weeks out and after speaking to the scheduling person about cancellations was worked in the next night!  Just be sure you really are flexible before asking.

My blood pressure consistently peaks in the morning with the helpless aid of many medications.  Could there be something going on within my sleeP?  I am very athletic 43 y.o. military man but have been diagnosed with hypertension a year ago or so.  I notice when I doze off  it's like my breath is being held.  I am wanting to get a sleep test done as well.  THanx.

An in-lab PSG wouldn't be a bad idea. Many have found their BP to drop substantially w/CPAP treatment for OSA (if they have OSA). Are you bulked up pretty good? What's your neck size (circumference)?


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

I would say I am pretty solid with a 17.5" neck.

Neck circumference >17" in men is one of the criteria for suspicion of OSA. >13" for women. (If I remember correctly).


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

thanx for the info

Just an update.  Made a few phone calls today and the Dr. who ordered the study just signed off on the results without even taking heed to the recommendation to the Dr. who scored the study.  That annoyed me.  I called the sleep center and they explained that the sleep Dr. wanted me to do the titration ASAP  and be on the CPAP for at least a month before meeting her, thus the appointment 2 months away.  I think I've about gotten it straightened out.

I wanted to say thanks to everyone here who helped me and answered my questions.  It amazes me that medical professionals can be so ignorant about this.  I would be so totally screwed after all they've messed up had it not been for the info I found on here, and taking control myself of the appointments.  Thanks!!!!

So, I have my titration on this coming monday.  We'll see how that one goes...

--Matt