Sleep Study Done / What Is The Underlying Cause

[frogcollector]

I just received a positive result from my sleep study.  I was told that you correct it with a CPAP or variant of.  I understand this, but what is causing this to happen.  I had two sleep obstructions, four nuero, two mixed, and 29 hypopneas.  I never went into Deep sleep NR3 or NR4. It recorded I had zero leg movements, but I kept popping off the leads on my legs from moving them.   Venting aside, what is the path I must follow to get the underlying cause answered?  Since childhood I have many symptoms of Narcolepsy and other sleep Disorders.  My AVNRT (130 and 180 heart rate, two Re-Entrants) was ablated in 2000.  November 9, 2008 my high heart rate of 130 returned at night.  The search my cardio had was the Why, and stumbled onto sleep issues and found pulse Oximetry test positive for hypoxia and sleep apnea.  As we go down this tributary, I am told they give you a CPAP and do not worry why.  Let's see in three months.  This is fair, however since the sleep "box" has been opened, I need answers to a lifetime of fatigue, naps, 24 hour catch-ups staring seizures, night seizures, depression, etc.....Thank you  I am currently on O2 at night (2 liters per hour) in the interim.  Thursday I go for titration RX.  I take metoprolal 25 mg PM only for heart rate, Xtra if this does not convert it.

[Steven Y Park, MD]

It's hard to say without more specific details on your sleep study, but based on what you've relayed, it doesn't sound like you have any significant apneas. What is your AHI? It does sound like you have have a minor variant of sleep apnea called upper airway resistance syndrome. Both conditions (OSA and UARS) are caused by anatomic factors—mainly due to your mouth (jaws) being too small (unless you're severely overweight). This prevents you from staying in deep sleep, with chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, etc. Due to the constant sympathetic nervous system stimulation, it can definitely aggravate any underlying heart condition. Take a look at my article on this forum on upper airway resistance syndrome. Let's see how you do with CPAP. Please let us know how you do.

[frogcollector]

Thank you for your answer.  My AHI is 8.3, NREM AHI 6.6, REM AHI 14.5.  Arousal Index (apnea + hypopnea only, all others zero) 2.46/hr, Sleep efficiency 60.8%, 87% nadir value O2, mean 94%.  I am not severely overweight (neck 14.5") and my jaw is average size.  I watched your UARS 'video' and yes to most all of the symptoms.  Since age two, saw an EENT, allergies year round, twenty years on antidepressants, RN Mom thinks I have a form of Narcolepsy, PCP says I always have post nasal drip, which she has never encountered before.  Interesting change since I am on the O2 is that I am no longer stuffy in the AM and my dry mouth at night is not as severe (sleep with mouth closed), still if I get the dry mouth I can barely breath.  On O2 I feel I am somewhat better, but still not 'there'. I gasp at night, and barely snore...more like a purr.  I hope you can comment one more time.  Thank you in advance for your assistance. WomenHeart sister.

[Lulu54]

Hi there,
You might also want to give Dr Park a clue about your heart disease - sometimes it all fits together into a bigger picture -

My heartfelt best,
Laura