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Neurology (Expert Forum)
sleep studies
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sleep studies
by jan, Jan 25, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Dr.,
I previously posted under amitriptylin Jan. 23. I rec'd the reports today from my PCP, I am not sure what to post, so...
(My 1st sleep study I didn't sleep.)
My 2nd: Results - sleep profile: patient monitored for a total of 415 min. and slept for a total of 83 min. Sleep effic. was 20.0% There was a sleep latency period of 55.5 min. until the onset of the initial sustained sleep epoch. REM sleep latency was 376 min. Stage 4 sleep was not exhibited.
awake 332.0 min. (80.0%)
stage 1 non REM 8.0 min. (1.9%)
stage 2 non REM 56.5 min. (13.6%)
stage 3-4 non REM 3.5 min. (0.01%)
REM 18.5 (4.5%)
Alpha EEG activity was dominant thoughout brief periods of sleep.
My 3rd: Results - monitored for a total of 486 min. and slept for a total of 199 min. Sleep effic. was 40.9%. There was a sleep latency of period of 205 min until the onset of the initial sustained sleep epoch. REM sleep latency was 157 min.
awake 287 min. (59.1%)
stage 1 non REM 37 min. (7.6%)
stage 2 non REM sleep 112 min. (23.0%)
stage 3-4 non REM sleep 28 min. ( 5.8%)
REM sleep 22 min. (4.5%)
Alpha EEG activity was dominant thoughout brief periods of sleep.
I guess what I want to know is: 1.what does this mean? 2.is amitriptylin the right course and why do you think it was prescribed? If it is just to help me fall asleep, I would think something like Sonata would be more in line. 3. would the amitryiptylin fix the problem eventually and then I could stop taking it? or is it a long term thing (life)?
I am curious, too, why my neuro. wouldn't prescribe, but it is too much trouble to ask him. Maybe it would interfere with other meds., atenolol,verapamil, and vioxx? Or with one of my other problems:
IST,NCS,IBS,possible POTS,mild valvular disease,autonomic dysfunction? 4. Do you see a problem with me taking the amitriptylin?
I am sorry this is so long, but I gave what I thought was pertinent.
Thank you for your time.
I previously posted under amitriptylin Jan. 23. I rec'd the reports today from my PCP, I am not sure what to post, so...
(My 1st sleep study I didn't sleep.)
My 2nd: Results - sleep profile: patient monitored for a total of 415 min. and slept for a total of 83 min. Sleep effic. was 20.0% There was a sleep latency period of 55.5 min. until the onset of the initial sustained sleep epoch. REM sleep latency was 376 min. Stage 4 sleep was not exhibited.
awake 332.0 min. (80.0%)
stage 1 non REM 8.0 min. (1.9%)
stage 2 non REM 56.5 min. (13.6%)
stage 3-4 non REM 3.5 min. (0.01%)
REM 18.5 (4.5%)
Alpha EEG activity was dominant thoughout brief periods of sleep.
My 3rd: Results - monitored for a total of 486 min. and slept for a total of 199 min. Sleep effic. was 40.9%. There was a sleep latency of period of 205 min until the onset of the initial sustained sleep epoch. REM sleep latency was 157 min.
awake 287 min. (59.1%)
stage 1 non REM 37 min. (7.6%)
stage 2 non REM sleep 112 min. (23.0%)
stage 3-4 non REM sleep 28 min. ( 5.8%)
REM sleep 22 min. (4.5%)
Alpha EEG activity was dominant thoughout brief periods of sleep.
I guess what I want to know is: 1.what does this mean? 2.is amitriptylin the right course and why do you think it was prescribed? If it is just to help me fall asleep, I would think something like Sonata would be more in line. 3. would the amitryiptylin fix the problem eventually and then I could stop taking it? or is it a long term thing (life)?
I am curious, too, why my neuro. wouldn't prescribe, but it is too much trouble to ask him. Maybe it would interfere with other meds., atenolol,verapamil, and vioxx? Or with one of my other problems:
IST,NCS,IBS,possible POTS,mild valvular disease,autonomic dysfunction? 4. Do you see a problem with me taking the amitriptylin?
I am sorry this is so long, but I gave what I thought was pertinent.
Thank you for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Jan 25, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Jan:
Sorry that your having the sleep problems. I am not a sleep expert but there are a few clues to your studies. You may have what is called alpha intrusion into slow wave sleep. This is where the alpha rhythm (although usually a few Hertz slower than your usual rhythm) continues into slow wave sleep. This will make the usual percentage of Stage I/II/III-IV off and give the impression that you may not be sleeping at all. Amitriptyline has been shown to help patients with fibromyalgia and has been found to help improve daytime symptoms of sleepiness and patient assessment of sleep quality. Patients with arthritis have also been shown to help with this medication. Give it a trial and see if it helps your sleep. If it doesn't then I might suggest another opinion concerning your sleep studies. (some sleep specialist use Prozac to help these conditions).
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Sorry that your having the sleep problems. I am not a sleep expert but there are a few clues to your studies. You may have what is called alpha intrusion into slow wave sleep. This is where the alpha rhythm (although usually a few Hertz slower than your usual rhythm) continues into slow wave sleep. This will make the usual percentage of Stage I/II/III-IV off and give the impression that you may not be sleeping at all. Amitriptyline has been shown to help patients with fibromyalgia and has been found to help improve daytime symptoms of sleepiness and patient assessment of sleep quality. Patients with arthritis have also been shown to help with this medication. Give it a trial and see if it helps your sleep. If it doesn't then I might suggest another opinion concerning your sleep studies. (some sleep specialist use Prozac to help these conditions).
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
