I've been lurking for a couple of weeks now and learning a ton.  Thanks for all of the info.  Because of this forum, I actually knew the important questions to ask.  I just got the results from my first sleep study.  I'm going by this afternoon to pick up the full report, but I did get some key info:  51 events per hour, 84% min O2 saturation, 52% efficiency.  I'm in the process of scheduling my follow-up titration study.  

My question is regarding the titration study.  During my first study, it took me forever to fall asleep.  The tech said I slept less than an hour during the first four hours.  I know a lot of you guys have discussed taking an Ambian to help you sleep during a study.  I was wondering if you thought an Ativan (anti-anxiety) would be a problem.  I have occasional anxiety issues, and my doctor has given me Ativan for this.  I pretty much think my reason for not sleeping is anxiety rather than the bothersome cords etc.  Doc said that he was fine with me taking it, but I would have to OK it with the sleep center.  This won't interfere with my study will it?  It definitely helps me sleep when I take it at home, so I think it would help me get more sleep time for the study.  But I don't want to mess up the results in any way.  I'm sure the sleep center will tell me, but I wanted to at least get your thoughts as well beforehand.

Thanks!
Ray

Ray, I also have occasional anxiety and I take 0.5 lorazepam (ativan) sublingual when necessary.  When I had a sleep study last year, I warned the sleep clinic doctor that I might need to use it and he said that it was okay to do so.  He said that it would make any apneas worse, if present, otherwise it wouldn't matter.  In the event, I did use it and it did help me fall asleep.  And I didn't have any apneas.

You have another post about sleep stages.  Yes, REM usually comes after stages 1 to 3.  Stage 3 is considered the deepest sleep stage but sleep apnea sufferers often don't make it that far and often don't get any REM sleep either.  Normal sleep consists of several periods of moving from stage 1 through stage 3 to REM then going back to 1 and starting again over about 90 minutes and, as the night progresses, the stage 3 gets shorter and the REM gets longer.

The body that sets the standards for registered polysomnograph technicians has decided that stage 4 is not a separate sleep stage and that stage 3 will now be the last stage.

Hi Ray,

I work at a sleep study center, scheduling patients.  And I tell them that if they are using medication for sleep (or anxiety to make them sleep), to bring it along just in case and tell the sleep tech.  Here, as Frances said, we think it's ok to take.  Besides, you're already in the severe category of sleep apnea (if the 51 per hour is correct), it's not like you're borderline normal/mild.  And even if the meds make the apneas a little worse, they'd be titrating you under the worst case scenario, and that can't hurt, it might even help, for they are looking for the pressure that controls your apneas.   And the longer you sleep the better they can test the pressures, so I doubt they would tell you not to take the meds.


Linda


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Thanks for the replies.  I actually had my titration last night, and it didn't go real great.  They were fine with me taking the Ativan, but it didn't help.  I hardly slept at all.  The tech said they got some pretty good results when I was on my side, but she's not sure if they got enough on my back to set a pressure.  I guess I'll just wait for the report and see what they recommend.  Hopefully they got enough to set me up with CPAP at home.  I'm committed to making it work, but last night was my first time ever with it, and I just couldn't get comfortable enough to sleep.  Thanks for the comments; I'll keep you updated.

Oh, by the way, I did get my full report.  The Dx was severe obstructive sleep apnea with AHI = 51.9/hr.  On my back it was 59.3, on my side 30.0.  I also had RERAI of 14.2 so my RDI was actually 66.1.  Avg. apnea was 19.4 sec, max was 81.0.  So, bottom line is I need some help!