16 wake-ups an hour. 90+% oxygen. Depression. ADD. Verbal ticks. Should I get a machine?

Thanks for all the wonderful information here. I am a noob to this forum, so if there are other discussions I should see related to this topic, apologies and please send them over.

I just did a sleep study that found I wake up 16 times an hour with over 90% oxygen level, which I hear is pretty low. I have good insurance and have an opportunity to get a machine for quite cheap. However, my wife is concerned with the noise and she is skeptical that I need it if it's so mild. She says "just exercise, stop drinking and stop looking at your phone!" (all valid points BTW, and working on them now).

My main concern is, should I get a machine even if it's "mild" sleep apnea?

Is 16 times an hour a lot? Or is any amount of waking up not acceptable?

I should note that the sleep study itself was quite questionable. I could not get to sleep with all that crap connected to me, so I do question the accuracy of the test.

I have the following symptoms.

Depression (for the past 2-3 years)

ADD (since middle school)

Zero ability to focus and do my work unless it's absolutely crunch time

Apathetic about finances (used to be neurotic about this)

Never remember dreams. If I do, they are usually nightmares - i.e. being chased, ghosts in the basement, fist fighting (10 years)

Short dreams just before I fall into deep sleep that jolt me awake after a violent or sudden event - i.e. falling off a bike (rare)

Sleep paralysis at least once every 3 months (since I can remember)

Fear that if I close the door to my room I will "use up all the air" and suffocate in my sleep

Shortness of breath throughout the day

Verbal and physical tourettes-like tics (since I can remember)

Thanks for any info.

(PS, my mom has sleep apnea and A-Fib)

Whether you decide to proceed with treatment is your decision. Is the number of times an hour you are waking up (16) your AHI, or is that just the number of awakenings per hour? Usually an AHI greater than 5 warrants treatment. Today's technology makes the machines very quiet. If you are sleeping sounder you are less likely to arouse your wife from her sleep. Something made you get a sleep study in the first place, whether it was over concerns you had or concerns your doctor had. I think this is a nice article on why you should treat your sleep apnea http://www.alaskasleep.com/blog/reasons-to-get-your-sleep-apnea-treated-now

I am a little confused about your results of waking up 16 times per hour. Was that just waking or stop breathing? My oxygen levels dropped to 70% and stopped breathing 169 times in 6 hours, and I am classed as medium on their scale. I think I was assigned a 24 on the scale. I would try cpap therapy if your doctor says you would be helped with it. It is not the easiest thing to do for many people, but it is worth it for better sleep and over all health.

The question shouldn't be do we think you need a machine, it's what your doctor suggests. If you stop breathing even less than 16 times an hour, it is concerning. Low oxygen levels can cause many problems with your heart, kidneys, and other organs and especially your brain. You need to be asking your doctor about your concerns as well as posting on here. We aren't doctors but we can give you support and let you know our own stories.

As for your wife, I understand what she is saying but it goes a lot further than exercise and being on the phone. It is a serious health risk for you. I'm not saying it is easy to get used to but it goes beyond her discomfort. As for whether the test is valid, they take into account that you will not sleep as well as you do at home. Understand too that many times you wake up at night and don't realize it. The sleep study tracks all that. It is also a possibility that while you sleep better at home, your oxygen levels might be even lower than the sleep study shows.

Do more research if you want, but unless there is a really good reason not to, get back with your doctor and try his suggestion. Best of luck and keep us updated.