Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome - Apnea changes when taking opioids/opiates?

I am confused while it would take that amount of time. Did the technician use any mask on you? If not, you will probably have to do another study to complete a titration study. It took less than a week for the info to be given to my sleep doctor. I have what is known as central/complex sleep apnea which means I have obstructive sleep apnea & central sleep apnea. The opiates slow your breathing or causes shallow breathing. It will take a titration study to get the apnea machine set with your settings. There is a new BI-PAP machine(BIPAP autoSV advanced) that can help with both central and obstructive apnea. I was very glad I had insurance because this particular machine cost around $8000! During the titration study, they were able to correct me to 88%. If this machine had been used during my titration study, I think the score would have been higher.

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My oxygen level was dropping extremely low at times in the the 70's and 3.4 percent of the time, my oxygen level dropped below 90%. I can tell a difference in my fatigue level. I have been using the machine since November. My settings are very high so I start with the Ramp speed while I am awake. I would call the place where you had the sleep study performed and ask when it will be forwarded to your sleep specialist. If it has been sent to your sleep specialist ask when it will be read. After my titration study, I had a machine and mask with 5 days. They had to order the machine because it is one that most people do not use.

As far as what you can do until you get your machine, ask someone that knows your sleeping habits and find out in what positions you snore or stop breathing the most and try to avoid sleeping in that position.

If they tell you there is not a machine for the central sleep apnea. Give them the name of the machine above. It is relatively new. If you breathing is slowed or shallow, you need the machine as soon as possible. When the doctor writes the script for the machine and supplies, go to a medical durable goods place. The reason for this is, it took me three different masks to find one I could tolerate. They will switch the masks out. If you order over the Internet, you can not return the mask. Everyone is different and there are several different types of mask so keep trying until you find one that is relatively comfortable to you. My favorite one is Mirage Liberty because I could not tolerate the mask that rest on my nose. I got an email today about a mask called Quattro FX Full Face Mask that looks interesting. When my insurance will pay for another mask, I might take a look at it. The only problem I have with the Mirage Liberty is I have a difficult time wearing it when I have a migraine. The air blowing in my nose makes the pain worse. I know I have not answered your question but hopefully I have given you some information you can use.

I wish you all the best.

Hi BionicMike. I'm glad you marked this question "conversational" as I really don't have an answer for you. What I DO know about sleep apnea is it scares the hell out of the person sleeping next to them, me. He's totally unaware he stops breathing for as long as 15-20 seconds before he gasps for breath or I can't stand it anymore and give him a push. It's so much worse if you're a back sleeper. I encourage my hubby to sleep on his side but he eventually ends up on his back, the apnea kicks in, and I'm the one wide awake worrying about his breathing. He doesn't take it seriously even though his doctor wants him in asap for the sleep study. Hubby has had 3 cervical surgeries and rarely takes pain meds. When he does, it's maybe half a percocet. If he takes it too close to bedtime, the apnea is non existent. He says he only half sleeps when he takes the med.

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I'm not sure if anyone mentioned it but there's a new mouth guard on the market that pulls out/aligns the lower jaw and helps a lot with the apnea. Good luck to you. I hope you feel better soon. :-)
chris