I've been reading this site since I was first told I needed a sleep study, over 2 months ago.  Finally had my study last week and results seem to be very dismal.  Since I don't know anyone else with OSA, I'm hoping that by discussing the results here - I can get my bearings and hopefully feel less badly.  Here are the numbers:

Sleep Latency 37 minutes
Wake after onset 86.5 minutes
Total # of arousals 461
Respiratory related 365
Total wake time 305.5
Sleep Efficiency 71.5%
Stage I 180.5 minutes 46%
Stage II 107 minutes 27.3%
Stage III 2 minutes .5%
Stage IV 0 minutes 0%
REM 16 minutes 4.1%
REM Latency 34.5 minutes

Apneic evenets 344
Mean Duration 13.4 seconds
Maximum Duration 37.4 seconds
Hypopneic Events 134
Mean Duration 15.6 seconds
Maximum Duration 40.5
AHI 94.5 (OK that sounds really bad)

So I took it into my own hands - and rather than waiting for the sleep lab to call me to schedule my titration, I called them and got lucky - my appointment is next Tuesday.  

My questions are - from my education of many years ago - I vaguely remember that stage IV and REM are the most important parts of sleep - from a restfulness perspective, is this true?  Needless to say - now that I have the facts, I feel even more tired.  Will I then have to wait weeks for my CPAP machine?  Will it then take months to get used to the machine and actually get some sleep?  Will I still snore with the machine?

The main driver of my even going to a doctor was my snoring - it is destroying my relationship.  My b/f and I now sleep in separate rooms - this is really a fairly new thing for me.  When we first started dating, there was no issue, needless to say, I'm freaked.

I'm looking forward to hearing from others who've been there.

Thanks in advance!

Hi TSPTD:
Yeah, as far as AHI goes, that's darn near max.
Equally important are the desaturations, including the low value, if you have that.
Stage 3 and 4 collectively are known as slow wave or deep sleep, yes, that's where you can get truly restored.  REM has a bunch of other functions, but you can do without it.  You should "find" a pile of it during the CPAP titration, tho.
All those arousals are what destroy your sleep continuity.
2 weeks should be the target from the time of the titration to when you get your machine.  Start being a kvetch after 3 days.  Don't buy the "it's a holiday" excuse, reply "oh, then my sleep apnea will take a holiday?"
Depending on the insurance, you could even set some things in motion now, because many insurers just use the first or diagnostic study, to allow a CPAP machine.  Then you plug in the set pressure at the last minute.  So initial contacts with DME and insurer could begin now.
The good news, of course, is that all these numbers should turn around quite nicely.
sleepydave

Don't be afraid to be a little pushy with the doctors.  While waiting for my appointment, I convinced them to put me on an APAP (auto adjusting CPAP).  I would recommend it.  It will just give the doctor more information to analyze when you meet with them. Plus, you start the process of trying to get better sleep.

My experience has been that most doctors see this everyday and become somewhat complacent.  You need to remind them that everyday that you are not on a CPAP machine, is a day that you are at risk.  Its your life...don't let them make you wait to get better.

Good Luck :)


_________________
~Room Shaker

Thank you both so much for your input!  

SleepyDave my saturation levels were actually not so bad - lowest was 89%, so that is not really a concern.  I guess at this point - I am just so tired.  The truly funny thing is I don't doze off during meetings or whatever, in fact people consistently comment on my high energy level - now I tell them they should see me when I've gotten some sleep!

I will call the insurance company today and get the ball rolling, what a marvelous idea (plus it will be covered under my already met, 2005 dedcutible!).

I will keep folks posted.  I soooo appreciate this forum.  Thank you all so very much!

For the love of G-d this is all so stupid.  I called to make an appt with the DME to get my equipment, figuring if I schedule it after the titration I'll know the settings, etc.  They can't schedule me until they get the prescription and the sleep lab won't send it until after the titration.  Unbelievable - we already know I need it - based on the sleep study - why make me wait?!

Healthcare in this country is an oxymoron no one seems to care.

Your numbers look about like mine.  I let my wife convince me to follow through with a sleep study after I got a bad EKG during a physical for HazMat certification.  Even after the sleep study I didn't get excited about the whole deal because further cardio studies found nothing wrong.  However, after the titration study I became a royal pain to everyone standing between me and my "blower."  I had six good hours during the titration study and felt better than I can ever remember feeling, and no one was going to keep me from having that feeling.

I have been on the blower for 99 nights, and had no trouble adjusting.  I am averaging 8.2 hours on the thing per night, have lost seven pounds, and am generally free of pain where 54 year old men have pains--knees, back, etc.

Make the people doing the titration study keep changing the mask/interface until you find something that is comfortable, not something  you like--you won't--but something that is comfortable.  I received my RemStar Plus and Mirage Swift head gear in less than a week, and would not trade it for a winning lottery ticket.

Pester people until you get what you need.

Your numbers look about like mine.  I let my wife convince me to follow through with a sleep study after I got a bad EKG during a physical for HazMat certification.  Even after the sleep study I didn't get excited about the whole deal because further cardio studies found nothing wrong.  However, after the titration study I became a royal pain to everyone standing between me and my "blower."  I had six good hours during the titration study and felt better than I can ever remember feeling, and no one was going to keep me from having that feeling.

I have been on the blower for 99 nights, and had no trouble adjusting.  I am averaging 8.2 hours on the thing per night, have lost seven pounds, and am generally free of pain where 54 year old men have pains--knees, back, etc.

Make the people doing the titration study keep changing the mask/interface until you find something that is comfortable, not something  you like--you won't--but something that is comfortable.  I received my RemStar Plus and Mirage Swift head gear in less than a week, and would not trade it for a winning lottery ticket.

Pester people until you get what you need.