Obstructive SA now possibly Central SA ?

Hi all,

First time poster, long time OSA / CPAP user here.

So for the last 18 years I have had OSA, and used a CPAP (pressure 11.4 ) all that time to help with it, and it has certainly helped.

Probably like all of us, over the years my weight has gone up and down, but about 6 months ago I decided i needed to lose some weight. So 6 months later I have lost approximately 40-50 lbs. Along the way I noticed I was absolutely exhausted at night time. But because I was getting up at 5:45 - 6am to exercise, I chalked it up to that and never gave it a second thought. Then over the past 3 weeks I noticed I was waking up with a dry mouth, dry throat. I also found I was waking up almost like clockwork after 4-5 hours sleep, heart racing. My mind instantly went back 18 years.... sleep apnea!

So I contacted the cpap place and they pulled up a report. Pressure is good, mask seal good, I was told "its running a little dry so you may want to increase the humidity". But what was interesting was that I had no OSA events at all like i thought, but she did see "central apnea events" but according to the report they are not significant. So I get the science and the numbers, but when I wake up at 4am and my heart is racing and I cant fall back to sleep, they feel pretty significant to me.

So knowing what CSA is, it kind of has me terrified to go to sleep. I have contacted my doctor to get the ball rolling with appointments with the sleep clinic but until all that happens, I'm a bit lost I guess. I'm partially afraid to go to sleep, but desperate to get some sleep.

Has anyone encountered this? Any useful "homemade remedies" I can try at least to tide me over until I can see the specialists?

Thanks :)

Welcome to the forum. It would seem that something must have changed. In most a reduction in weight would reduce the probability of sleep apnea.

First, what make and model of a machine do you have? If it is compatible what you may want to do is download OSCAR so you can look at the detailed sleep data to see what is happening all night long. Instead of just seeing a summary of data, you can see all the events, and when they occur. OSCAR requires a PC or Mac and a SD card reader to get the data from the SD card in the machine (assuming it has one).

Here is an example of what a report looks like. This is one from about a week ago when I had a higher number of events. I do suffer from both OA and CA events, but they are primarily central events.

Hi, blackadder337!

Have you checked your overnight O2 desaturation levels? If you are awakening with your heart racing, it could be because you are desaturating badly. Borrow or buy an overnight recording oximeter, and test yourself. They’re available online and not too expensive. Good item to have in the house anyway, like a blood pressure cuff or thermometer.

Also, have you developed any related comorbidities? Like COPD, CVD, HBP, AFIB, DM2, etc? Those could be influencing things….

Hi, Sorry for not following up. I was away.

It turns out I don't have an SD card reader so I have ordered one and its on the way.

I did get a call from my sleep physician and he's got me on the short list for another overnight sleep study. Based on what he saw from the report, he is thinking its time for a reduction in pressure. He has also advised me not to use the cpap for until my sleep study.

Interesting thing about sleeping without the cpap now, is that I know I am snoring as I wake up with a sore throat, but I have NOT bolted awake after 3 hours with my hear pounding since then. I've actually been getting almost a solid 7 hours of sleep. Truth be told, without a cpap, its been the best / longest sleep I've had in the last almost a month.

Anyway once I get the results I'll follow up in case it helps anyone else :)

Thanks!