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Newbie - how bad? what's next?

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Posted by jammies on August 12, 2008 at 21:35:00:

Please help. Sorry this is so long - newbie - lots of questions.

I got the following sleep study report and a diagnosis of severe apnea, leading immediately to a hardsell for CPAP. I'm not convinced, but know NOTHING about this. I would love to try more moderate, holistic fixes (like fixing allergies and sinus) first, but they say 'no', 'too severe', those won't fix the apnea, and too many factors pointing to cardio risk from apnea: 18 years Type I insulin dependent diabetes (which is a strong indicator for heart disease) and family history of heart/vascular problems - two CABGs and advanced atherosclerosis in immediate family.

First, BMI 4.3 (weight is not the issue)

Heart rate varies 60-90 during the course of the night (Normal?). With sinus rhythm (what is this - sinus is a HUGE factor for me and in my layperson eyes my biggest problem). And no ectopy (what is this?) EEG stable throughout.

420 minutes recorded with 344 minutes of sleep (this seems reasonable to me ???)
resulting in sleep efficiency of 82% (also seems reasonable to me - is this a problem?)

Sleep onset latency is 37 minutes (okay. ???). REM latency is 99 minutes. (okay. ???)
There are 3 REM periods at 21% tracing and slow wave sleep at 11% of the tracing. (okay??)

There were 19 awakenings (seems above average but not severe to me), 96 stage shifts and 19 stage I shifts were noted as a result (???? no clue - seem like a lot).

... with many apneas and hypopneas ('many'? what is 'many'? How precise is 'many'?)
at an index of 35 (is this the AHI everyone refers to (Is this severe?)

Snore index 38 (severe?)
Oxygen desaturations of 88% (this does not seem severe at all)
Periodic limb movement index is 29 and movement arousal index is 1.

I asked about the tennis ball in the back thing. Nope won't work for me 'too severe'. ???
I asked about allergy relief - desensitization shots, nasal steroids, making the dog sleep in the hall? Nope, 'too severe' - different part of anatomy.

One last question. If you say they're right it is too severe, should I go with the full face mask as they want because I sleep with my mouth open due to the sinus/allergy or should I still try to get that cleared up so I can go with a smaller face mask?

Thanks so so so much for any help.

jammies

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