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BrainsNeedSleep

BrainsNeedSleep
Joined Dec 2014
BrainsNeedSleep
Joined Dec 2014

You wrote: "My sleep study scores were 5 episodes per hour during light sleep and 12 during REM sleep. I was really only prescribed the machine because my oxygen drops to 81%." *This is the stuff that drives me nuts. * YES you needed the machine because of the O2 desaturations down to 81%, but you ALSO NEEDED IT because of the numbers! It is NOT only the number of apneas/hypopneas that causes trouble, and the desaturations they can cause in some but not all people, but ALSO the *sleep fragmentation! * ANYthing that rouses you out of the normal sleep "architecture", that cycle of light/deeper/deep sleep we do, can become a problem if it happens frequently enough for long enough. I don't know who suggested you really only needed the machine because of the desaturations. The AHI numbers are a moving target, the machines and the scoring are variable, and you need to protect your sleep regardless of the numbers. If they tell you AHI of 5 is normal -- here's a pound of salt for you. IF they tell you under AHI of 15 is acceptable -- here's a ton of salt for you, and in my own imperfect but long-experienced opinion, get yourself a second opinion. It's YOUR brain, it's YOUR life, and a lot of what I am learning about AHI and guidelines etc is politics. By the way, I loved the suggestion of trying to keep tongue on the roof of the mouth -- I will have to try that one, now, too. And Dan's suggestions about the humidifier etc were (of course) great, and I only ever wake up with such dryness and/or sinus headache when I have, despite my best efforts, slept on my back with my mouth open OR if the humidifier ran out of water. Good luck!