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Not sleeping well- having another oximetry test
I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnoea in 2009 and have been using CPAP since then. If I remember correctly the test I was given then showed I was waking up on average 140 times every hour (I didn't think that was possible thinking there are only 60 minutes in an hour!!). I use my CPAP machine every night because I do not get any restful sleep without it, the problem is that although I'm sleeping better than before diagnosis and do not snore I don't think that I am sleeping as well as I should. My CPAP machine appears to be too old to attach any modern technology or apps - it's S8 11 escape - My Fitbit indicates my restful sleep is on average 4.5 hours (I've been using since last October). The machine is checked every year and the clinic is satisfied that I use it regularly, the pressure was adjusted when I said that I did not think that I was sleeping well, but does not seem to have made much difference
I have asked for another test, I will collect the equipment for an oximetry test next week, use it at home overnight and take it back the next morning. Is this the only test available?
Am I correct in thinking that the oximetry test shows how many apnoeas you have during the night, I was told that if the test showed that things were within acceptable limits that I would be referred back to my GP. I want to arm myself with enough information to ask the relevant questions at the appointment therefore would appreciate any suggestions ,information or shared experiences.
Can anyone confirm that my model of CPAP cannot have anything attached to it in order that I can monitor the situation myself, they say information from the Fitbit is not acceptable, i don't know how reliable it is, the setting show periods of restless but I'm not certain if it this means genuine restlessness or its because I'v come out of restful sleep by an apnoea. I've just taken the information as an indicator that something is not quite right.
Any suggestions on what else could be affecting my sleep if it's not the apnoeas? I doubt my GP will have much expertise on this subject.
This situation is having an effect on other aspects of my health and self confidence therefore any feedback would be welcome.
Thank you
Views: 226
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on
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Without you going into hospital and being monitored overnight, this is the best they can offer (assuming you've been told to use the pulse oximeter WITH your CPAP on). It will show if any apnoeas/hypopnoeas you're still having IF they cause oxygen desaturations, but won't show any that don't cause you to de-saturate, even though they could still be causing you interrupted and restless sleep. Therefore, the oxygen desaturations will indicate apnoeas, but can't rule them out.
Fitbit are again facing court for false claims on sleep tracking, so I would only use the device as a rough guide https://consumerist.com/2016/07/19/fitbit-must-face-lawsuit-over-sl... Sometimes people move in sleep when just turning over in bed (which is normal).
Unfortunately, there's no useful data on the 'Escape' models of the Resmed machines (except to prove you're compliant) so it's not possible to attach anything (other than use pulse oximetry as a guide). Even the clinicians can't see any data. If only the hospitals could give out machines with data to everyone it would make life easier to spot problems when people are feeling like things aren't going well. It all depends what area people live in, as a lot of clinics give everyone data-capable machines, but a lot also just give out fixed pressure CPAP with no data.
Good luck with the oximetry test and hope it helps towards solving your problems. If nothing shows up, it would be worth asking the hospital if they would let you have a trial of a machine which will show up useful data. Let us know how it goes.
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Permalink Reply by Sleep2snore on
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It only tests how low your blood oxygen gets during the night, which can be a reasonable indication you have Sleep Apnoea.
However, it can't tell how many events you have, just the longer events may show up, however, in saying that, it will give the Sleep Clinic a good indication if CPAP is working for you or not due to the levels of oxygen in your blood.
Hope that helps a bit?
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Permalink Reply by Carys on
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Thank you all for replies, I had the test last week and the results showed that everything seemed ok, that I was sleeping well and that there was'nt even much movement. I had begun to worry that restless leg syndrome was having an effect on my sleep, this used to bother me a long time ago even before the sleep apnoea was diagnosed. I did some research and found that taking certain natural supplements help eleviate the pain, but wondered if it still had an effect on my sleep, the test showed that this was not the case as I did not move much at all during the night.
I think I will have to make an effort to engage in some relaxation techniques before bed in order to wake up brighter in the morning
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Do you still suffer from Restless Legs? Usually they stop after you get a CPAP machine. It appears to be part of the course.
relaxation techniques before bed
Sounds like to much hard work to me!
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I think it's quite common to suffer from restless leg if you have sleep apnoea but I don't think it is necessarily cured by CPAP - there is medication available, I am reluctant to go down that route if at all possible but have found taking natural supplements have helped me, I am not an expert on the subject - I found the information online - everyone has their preference and have to be careful of interaction with any other medication taken. I checked with my pharmacist before taking them.
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That's good the pulse oximeter test didn't flag up problems Carys. Yes, I agree with you that RLS isn't always fixed with CPAP. The same goes for sleep paralysis which I used to suffer from before CPAP.....I was lucky that the paralysis was linked with my untreated sleep apnoea, but sadly this isn't the same for everyone and some people do still have this battle, like they do with RLS.
Have you had your iron levels checked? My own daughter had this problem and when it was discovered she was low in iron and took supplements the RLS went away. Again, this isn't the same for everyone.
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