Hi there.
I'm new to the board, but have been reading for the past couple of days.  I had a sleep study done at the hospital, and just found out I have apnea.  I was talking to a nurse about my results, but then of course my cell phone found itself ina bad area, and the call was lost.  What I found out is that I stop breathing 50 times per hour.  Sounds severe to me!  No wonder I've driven off the road 3 times in the past year and can't concentrate at work.  Just how severe is my apnea compare to the "average"?  
Then there was something she said about 80% of oxygen (cell phone then garbled).  Then I just heard her say "...and that's not good at all."  So does that mean that 80% of the oxygen I need for a restful nighht's sleep is not getting to me?
I guess I'll find out what all this means when I get my CPAP from them on Wednesday.
I'm actually very frightened to go to sleep now...Imean if I stop breathing every 1.5 minutes or so, I'm afraid.
I just need to hear from someone who is sharing this problem.
It started for me in November when I caught a terrible case of pneumonia. That lead to severe bronchitis, asthma, allergic reactions to EVERYTHING, sinusitis....it makes me sad just typing it.
Being a teacher in Illinois, they don't provide air conditioning.  So, I've been teaching in a room that averages about 85 degrees daily.  After a bad night's sleep, 8 hours of that is excruciating...add the students (ugghh) on top of that!  The open windows trigger my allergies, which triggers my asthma, and has caused severe sinus infections. This of course doesn't help my sleep,and on and on the circle goes.
None of this horrible stuff has ever happened to me before, but it seems as though as soon as I hit 40..BOOM, it all hit!
I'm very sensitive to evrything, so I'm afraid of "the dreaded mask".  Which is most comfortable?  Will the CPAP help with my asthma and allergies?
What kind of numbers should I be looking for when I'm formally presented my sleep study?
Thanks for reading...if you got this far!
---Rich

Hi Rich,

I'm not so familiar with asthma and how sleep apnea might be related.  The American Sleep Apnea Association does have some information about this, although it seems to refer to nocturnal asthma.  Below is a link to that information.  It may or may not apply to what you have.
Click here for link

I would say that 50 apneas in an hour is pretty high, but there have been a lot higher.  It's important to take the results and what your doctor recommends seriously.  And yes, sleep apnea can be very dangerous if untreated.  But also keep in mind, the body is an amazing thing.  Those apneas are happening while you're sleeping, you might not even wake up or know it's happening.  The brain reacts to the momentary emergencies with "arousals" where signals alert the brain, and the brain reacts by sending signals to the throat muscles to constrict enough to jumpstart the breathing, all in a split second time.  It's brain saving your life.  But it can't continue without dangerous if not deadly consequences.  It's possible to die from the not breathing, but I believe it's much more likely you would die from symptoms, such as heart attack, stroke or others.  So it's very important that you get treatment if you do in fact have sleep apnea.

I am guessing the nurse said your oxygen level is 80%, meaning you were down 20%.  Numbers in the upper 90% range is normal.  Once it dips below 90% there is cause for alarm.  This means you are not getting enough oxygen in your body because of your sleep apnea.  The 80% is not good, but there have been far worse.  Mine was much worse.  This lack of oxygen causes strain on your body, making your heart and lungs work that much harder to try and get adequate oxygen to all the parts of your body.  With treatment, your levels will go back to normal.  

I'm guessing you had only one part of your sleep study.  There are two parts.  The first is to determine if you have sleep apnea and if it's severe enough to warrant treatment.  The second part, called a "titration" study. follows the first, later, where they duplicate the testing but apply the cpap treatment to test what levels of cpap is required to eliminate your apneas.  This information is used by your doctor to prescribe the cpap machine.  After you've had both parts of the sleep study, your doctor will likely get a copy of the sleep study report, and the doctor will explain the results.  You should obtain a copy of that report.  That report has a lot of valuable information about your condition, and it is your right to have a copy of that report.  Lots of folks here post the data from their report with the hopes of getting some further explanations.  So feel free to do so too.  I would post those under "Sleep Studies" though.

The masks depends a lot on how you breathe.  If you can breathe easily with your mouth closed, then only a nose mask or something called nasal pillows for your nose are necessary.  These are easier to deal with.  However, some people are mouth breathers, and they must use a full face mask.  It's not all that bad, it doesn't cover the whole face, just the nose and mouth.  During the titration part of the study, they will know which type mask best suits you.  After that, there are variations amid the different types.  And it's a matter of what works for you.  Everyone seems to be a little different as to what works best.

It's good that you've gotten tested.  This means you may be well on your way to treatment.  It's a strange existance.  But for those of us who felt relief from the scary symptoms (like nodding off while driving, etc.)  it's something that is definitely worth it.  

Good luck, and keep in touch!

Linda

Thanks for responding Linda.  Actually it was a one night sleep study, and the CPAP was applied to me after a few hours.  The I only had apnea 8 times in one hour due to slight mouth leakage.  I really wish my doctor would sit down and explain all of this to me.  I meet with the CPAP people tomorrow (Wednesday).  They have my results, and I'll take notes on what they are saying, since my doctor apperantly doesn't want to take time to discuss it with me.
Wish me luck.  Apparently there's a new CPAP machine out (with humidifier) that is not nearly as large as the older models.  I think the nurse said they are made by Res Med (I could be wrong with the name).  I'll check and post in the appropriate discussion areas for help.  Thank you.
---Rich

Ahhh... you can tell I'm new here.  I forgot to log in lastr time, and ended up as "guest".  Let's hope this works.  Thank you for all of your patience.
---Rich

Hi, I got diagnosed this summer and I just received my cpap today. I have the new S8 Autoset Vantage buy Resmed and it is so tiny and cute. Perfect for travel. I am not sure if that is the one that you were refering too?
Keep us posted on how you are doing!
Debbie

Debbie,
Just got the CPAP about an hour ago.  It is the Resmed S8!  
I suppose if you want to call it cute, I'll agree...it looks a lot better than those big old machines!
The results of my sleep study were explained to me, and it looks as though they have rated me "severe" since I stopped breathing 3 times for over 5 minutes each!  then there were the 50 times per hour that I stopped breathing for over 20 seconds.  My god, how have I been living?
I'm  nervous about starting this tonight...it's good to know this website is here!
---Rich

Good luck Rich, Hope you have a good night's sleep.


_________________
Hi. I don't sleep good. Is it bedtime yet?

neptune wrote:

Ahhh... you can tell I'm new here.  I forgot to log in lastr time, and ended up as "guest".  Let's hope this works.  Thank you for all of your patience.
---Rich

Oh, I don't recall if I actually welcomed you aboard our forum.  Welcome!




Linda


Someone gave me these crazy smilie graphics.  I sure love them.  Welcome, newbie!

Thanks for the welcome, Linda!

welcome neptune, I too am on this very new journey, I had sleep study done 1 year ago and just got results 3 wks ago and cannot believe I am alive to write this. Some encouragement for you...my original sleep study showed 233 apneas and hypopneas in 129 minutes with a pulse ox of 74%. Not too great  huh? Have had my CPAP now for 3 weeks and am feeling a little better. I opted for full mask because I breath through my mouth and have since a child. My adjustment to everything has gone well except for my frustration with the physicians. I've been referred to an ENT now which is an appt I will not keep after reading all of the info on this site and others. Long story short...am having titration study 10/10/05 and cannot wait to see if they can get my settings correct so I can begin this new life that I can't believe I am here to live. Good luck and keep pushing the docs or change to a new one. Hope things go well for you and hang tough we're all in here pitching for you.
Peg

Peg,
I agree with you about the doctors.  For some odd reason they just don't seem to want to take the time to communicate to each other or the patients in a timely matter (or at all).   I mean, if I was the physician who did my study, and saw that I stopped breathing 3 times for over 5 minutes, I'd be on the phone and helping that patient immediately!  I hope the frustration will pass for you.  Last night was my first night, and that stupid hose really bothers me!  
Better a hose in the way than the alternative, though.  
Thanks to everyone for the welcome, and I'm glad to have "virtually" meet all of you.
---Rich