07-25-2024, 10:29 PM
Mild OSA diganosis (low AHI, higher RDI) -- Worried and unsure how to proceed
Hi everyone,
I'm a 26-year-old male in otherwise good health, but I've been suffering from daytime fatigue despite sufficient sleep, groginess/difficulty focusing, morning headaches and dry mouth, and occasional episodes of waking up gasping for air. So I recently took two WatchPAT home sleep studies through Lofta and was diagnosed with mild OSA. (I assume Lofta isn't as well-respected as an in-lab study. I had an in-lab study scheduled but they canceled it, and there was a very long wait to reschedule. I did the second test because I had unusually restless sleep the night of my first and wanted to make sure that didn't affect the results.
My AHI was within the normal range (2.0 in the first test, 1.6 in the second), but my RDI was in the middle of the mild range (10.1 in the first test, 7.7 in the second). I attached the results of my second test and pasted my AHI, RDI, and O2 from both below.
I have a follow up appointment with Lofta regarding treatment and may see an in-person sleep doctor as well. But I’d appreciate some guidance on a few questions, especially so I can go into the appointments informed:
UARS vs. OSA: From my understanding, the discrepancy between my AHI and RDI suggests this is UARS. I do deal with nasal congestion from allergies, for what it's worth. Assuming it's UARS, are there alternative treatments for UARS outside of PAP that I should be considering? And if PAP is the way to go, what type of machines/settings are best for someone in my situation? I've seen people say BiPaP would be best for UARS, andI know using Oscar is highly advised.
Severity: I found these results quite concerning and know even mild OSA is dangerous. But because my AHI was low and my RDI was still in the mild range, I want to make sure I’m not overreacting. I’m right to be concerned and seek treatment, correct? Is there any reason not to try CPAP or to think that my symptoms/test results could be caused by something besides OSA?
Sorry if these questions are obvious. I've tried my best to read up on OSA but am new to this. I'm trying to figure out the best path forward and would really appreciate any insights or personal experiences you all can share.
TLDR: Healthy 26 year old diagnosed with mild OSA (with low AHI and higher RDI), suggesting it's UARS (?). Are there alternative treatments to CPAP to consider first, and if not, what machines/settings are best for my situation?
First Study Results
AHI: Hourly events: 2.0 | Total events: 14
RDI: Hourly events: 10.1 | total events: 69
Oxygen saturation: O2 min: 93 | O2 mean: 96 | O2 max: 100
Second Study
AHI: Hourly: 1.6 | Total: 13
RDI: Hourly: 7.7 | Total: 58
Oxygen saturation: O2 min: 79 | O2 mean: 97 | O2 max: 100
I'm a 26-year-old male in otherwise good health, but I've been suffering from daytime fatigue despite sufficient sleep, groginess/difficulty focusing, morning headaches and dry mouth, and occasional episodes of waking up gasping for air. So I recently took two WatchPAT home sleep studies through Lofta and was diagnosed with mild OSA. (I assume Lofta isn't as well-respected as an in-lab study. I had an in-lab study scheduled but they canceled it, and there was a very long wait to reschedule. I did the second test because I had unusually restless sleep the night of my first and wanted to make sure that didn't affect the results.
My AHI was within the normal range (2.0 in the first test, 1.6 in the second), but my RDI was in the middle of the mild range (10.1 in the first test, 7.7 in the second). I attached the results of my second test and pasted my AHI, RDI, and O2 from both below.
I have a follow up appointment with Lofta regarding treatment and may see an in-person sleep doctor as well. But I’d appreciate some guidance on a few questions, especially so I can go into the appointments informed:
UARS vs. OSA: From my understanding, the discrepancy between my AHI and RDI suggests this is UARS. I do deal with nasal congestion from allergies, for what it's worth. Assuming it's UARS, are there alternative treatments for UARS outside of PAP that I should be considering? And if PAP is the way to go, what type of machines/settings are best for someone in my situation? I've seen people say BiPaP would be best for UARS, andI know using Oscar is highly advised.
Severity: I found these results quite concerning and know even mild OSA is dangerous. But because my AHI was low and my RDI was still in the mild range, I want to make sure I’m not overreacting. I’m right to be concerned and seek treatment, correct? Is there any reason not to try CPAP or to think that my symptoms/test results could be caused by something besides OSA?
Sorry if these questions are obvious. I've tried my best to read up on OSA but am new to this. I'm trying to figure out the best path forward and would really appreciate any insights or personal experiences you all can share.
TLDR: Healthy 26 year old diagnosed with mild OSA (with low AHI and higher RDI), suggesting it's UARS (?). Are there alternative treatments to CPAP to consider first, and if not, what machines/settings are best for my situation?
First Study Results
AHI: Hourly events: 2.0 | Total events: 14
RDI: Hourly events: 10.1 | total events: 69
Oxygen saturation: O2 min: 93 | O2 mean: 96 | O2 max: 100
Second Study
AHI: Hourly: 1.6 | Total: 13
RDI: Hourly: 7.7 | Total: 58
Oxygen saturation: O2 min: 79 | O2 mean: 97 | O2 max: 100
