I asked this a while back, and never really got an answer.  Does anyone know how reproducible sleep studies are?  Specifically, in my first one, I had no Stage 3/4 sleep, and my REM was continuously interrupted (10 AHI during REM, 2 AHI otherwise).  In my second study with CPAP, I had lots of Stage 3/4, but "a paucity of REM sleep" (only 4 minutes REM all night long).  Does this mean that the CPAP stopped my REM (I'm not recalling dreams lately, and am still tired), or is daily variation likely?

I'm not sure I want to pursue the line-up of drugs that can increase REM.  I also almost like sleeping with the CPAP, but am still tired during the day and waking up at night, and don't know what to make of the results.

Russell -  You have been using CPAP for only 2 weeks.  It's possible that you are still repaying your "sleep debt".  Your body has been so tired for so long - it may take a while to "catch up".  You say that you are waking up during the night.  How many times each night are you waking?  Are you able to go back to sleep relatively quickly after waking?  I will wake up once or twice each night, but go right back to sleep.  Some people take longer to start feeling better with CPAP than others.  All I can say is to ride it out and see where it takes you.  Most recommendations that I have seen are to re-test after 6 months on CPAP.

Good Luck!

Russell wrote:

I asked this a while back, and never really got an answer.  Does anyone know how reproducible sleep studies are?  Specifically, in my first one, I had no Stage 3/4 sleep, and my REM was continuously interrupted (10 AHI during REM, 2 AHI otherwise).  In my second study with CPAP, I had lots of Stage 3/4, but "a paucity of REM sleep" (only 4 minutes REM all night long).  Does this mean that the CPAP stopped my REM (I'm not recalling dreams lately, and am still tired), or is daily variation likely?

I'm not sure I want to pursue the line-up of drugs that can increase REM.  I also almost like sleeping with the CPAP, but am still tired during the day and waking up at night, and don't know what to make of the results.

Hi Russell,

I have noticed over the past few weeks, particularly with relatively newly diagnosed sufferers, a big hang up on REM sleep or the lack of it.

The normal sleep cycle starts with Non REM sleep, stages 1, 2, 3 & 4. Stages 3 & 4 are mainly associated with rest. Then follows REM sleep which is normally associated with brain activity (sorting out the days bits a pieces and filing them away) and dream sleep. Total sleep cycle lasts about 110 minutes of which the main block is in Stage 2, followed by Stages 3 & 4 and then REM sleep. Sleep cycle is repeated a number of times during the night.

A sleep specialist once told me that we only remember a particular dream because we wake during it. If we don't wake it is unlikely that we will remember the dream.

A number of things might stop you getting to REM sleep, but you must also ask the question was the stoppage while in stage 3 or 4............in which case you would revert to stage 1 and start again. Have you noticed, or were you tested for (during your sleep test) for PLMD (periodic limb movement disorder) or RLS (restless leg syndrome), which might cause an arousal.

At this early stage, your main priority is to become compliant with cpap, pay back the sleep debt and don't get hung up on the minute detail. Like a good golf swing, not too many thoughts going through your head.

A repeat study after 6 months would be quite early, usually after 12 months.

As you still appear to have EDS, REM sleep should not make a huge difference. Try keeping a diary as to your fatigue levels, also the nightly hours on cpap. If you don't notice an improvement in another 2 weeks or so then it may be time to get back to your sleep doctor.

Kind regards,

Daniel.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)