[Diagnosis] Sleep Apnea? UARS?

[asymptomaticguy]

I recently got a sleep test done using WatchPAT. I’ve heard it’s not the most reliable test but it’s all I have to go off of right now. My AHI is listed at about 6, which would land me in mild territory, but my RDI is at 25, which is well into moderate. I asked my doctor about this, and he said that RDIs were generally not worrisome and not the main thing they look at. I was told on Reddit that I may have UARS, but I’m not exactly sure how that differs from sleep apnea.

As some background, I’ve been having some quite severe symptoms for the past year+ (forgetfulness, brain fog, memory issues, fatigue, etc.) which is why I got checked in the first place. I’m generally fit and only 19, though, and my doctor told me I’m not in the general demographic of someone with sleep apnea.

I would appreciate any information on my results and if there’s anything I should be worried about. Additionally, I’ve seen bilevel machines recommended for UARS, but should I pursue them as opposed to an APAP?

[BoxcarPete]

Your doctor is correct, you are not in the typical demographic for OSA. However, he is incorrect that RDI isn't something that's worth looking into, as it is a clear indication of sleep fragmentation which can explain most or all of your symptoms. I would get a referral to an ENT to have your airway checked for any obvious obstructions because you are young and otherwise healthy. Once you see a good ENT, they will work with you to find the best way around your particular issues, whatever they may be. I had two surgeries to this end, one when I was eight years old and another last month, and I believe they both were well worth doing. Adenoids both times, tonsils with the first and deviated septum + turbinates the second.

If you have a breathing obstruction, your body has ways of working through it and some of those arouse you from sleep. As you age, the sources of obstruction from soft tissue tend to get worse and the methods of working through them get less effective, resulting in more full-blown apnea events. Don't let your doctor kick the can down the road for ten or twenty years until you have a "real" problem, start working on solutions now. Best of luck to you.

[Sleeprider]

There is nothing in a Watch PAT test that gives us a clue as to respiration timing, volume or flow limitation, we can only infer it from the pRDI. Your AHI would qualify for CPAP therapy provided you experience comorbid conditions of fatigue, daytime sleepiness, "brain fog", lack of attention, etc. This is often quantified as an Epworth Score. https://nasemso.org/wp-content/uploads/n...epscale.pd

You mentioned the symptoms in your post, so there is not much doubt that if you want to try CPAP, you should qualify. The next question, is what doctor is this that says RDI is not worrisome? If you have good insurance with low or low deductibles, ask your main doctor (not sleep specialist) for an Rx for Auto CPAP and identify a DME that is in-network for your insurance. If you have high deductibles and copay, or don't suffer poor service easily, get the script and order through one of the online DMEs that are offering the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset card to cloud version for $329. Unbeatable deal. Use a nasal pillows mask with that an you will quickly have data and an idea if this is going to work out. We can help. Here is a thread of another member that just got one https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...legitimate