[Diagnosis] Do I have UARS?

[s7eve14]

Here is the link to my sleep study: drive.google.com/file/d/1Vd5XO8IyS0ihIspj0OE-J8ryVku8S9Dh/view

For context, I am a male in late 20's. I have had symptoms of apnea for a while now and I usually wake up a couple times a night at least. I always wake up feeling very unrefreshed with a headache, I'm also very fatigued and irritable during the day.

I've been going to NHS doctors with my concerns(UK) - It was diagnosed as insomnia, depression and anxiety(way back in 2017). I've tried antidepressants but obviously that has not helped my sleep at all really.

Since this has been going on now for around 4-5 years, around 2 years ago I wanted to check the possibility that I had sleep apnea. I had a home sleep apnea test done with hope2sleep. They detected a minor amount of AHI(around 8), so I went to the doctor and got an NHS home sleep study done.
I don't think I slept much during the test, but they basically just fobbed me off and said there's no way I have apnea due to my appearance. I ended up pushing back and got referred to an ENT, who diagnosed me with a deviated septum.

I got a septoplasty done a few months after(mid 2019), but it didn't really help too much. Over the past year I have slept with breathe right strips as I feel like they help - I can breathe through my nose fine with the strip on.. but unfortunately I still don't sleep well.

I got this new test done this week, and the amount of RDI's is worrying. Their report from the sleep technician says I don't have apnea, but I'm aware of UARS. I've read the diagnosis section of wikipedia, and it seems to exactly tie in with my results..

Since I'm in the UK I'm not very hopeful at all that the NHS will even want to look into this. I will try and bring it up.. but yeah I might end up having to do something my self or go private. 

What do you guys think, and also what treatment options have helped?

[slowriter]

Assuming that RDI score is accurate, the study does suggest UARS.

Most people here with UARS try a CPAP machine (specifically the Reamed Autoset), or better yet, a bilevel (the Resmed Aircurve VAuto).

[happydreams]

I was told I had micro arousals, or UARS, but not apnea.  I received no relief from standard APAP machines.  AHI was considered to be cured, but cured or not, I suffered.  It's only on bi-level that my symptoms are being significantly reduced.  In full disclosure, I had to buy the machine myself, as by the book, I was cured.  My opinion of the "profession" has declined considerably due to this experience.  My advice, try to get a more advanced machine than an APAP for UARS.  Buy once, cry once.

[s7eve14]

I was told I had micro arousals, or UARS, but not apnea.  I received no relief from standard APAP machines.  AHI was considered to be cured, but cured or not, I suffered.  It's only on bi-level that my symptoms are being significantly reduced.  In full disclosure, I had to buy the machine myself, as by the book, I was cured.  My opinion of the "profession" has declined considerably due to this experience.  My advice, try to get a more advanced machine than an APAP for UARS.  Buy once, cry once.

Thanks for the reply. How did you go about titrating? Did you just go by feel or was there any metrics you were able to use via OSCAR? I've read a lot of others say that BIPAP is the way to go for UARS too.

[slowriter]

You can use the data in OSCAR for most of the fine-tuning, and then go by feel for any remaining small tweaks.

[happydreams]

Got a lot of help from here on AB.  Everyone on AB has been very helpful.  Use OSCAR, the level of insight you will get is really helpful.  We use OSCAR (on AB) to quantitatively evaluate your progress.  Of course, it's not all about the numbers, how you feel is more important!  

The titration process can take a while, but in the end you will feel a lot better.  My headaches, which used to be migraine like in intensity, are greatly diminished.  Still working on my titration, but I already feel significantly better than ever before.

Keep us updated.

[s7eve14]

Thanks a lot both. I am going to keep looking into it. It feels so weird that I may have to treat this myself but I'm prepared to do it if I have to.

[jaswilliams]

s7eve14, you are not on your own we are here to help post graphs ask questions be proactive in your own health