September Sleep Study Results

The official sleep study report is complete, and there were NO central apneas (like the tech initially told me there were). So that's good.

However, Lily did have mild obstructive sleep apnea. It was only during REM sleep, but it was about 25 times per hour during that period. Her lowest oxygen saturation during the study was 81%, but the average during REM sleep was 94%. Throughout the whole study, she was 90% or higher 99% of the time. So that means, she was only below 90% 1% of the time, which is not very much. And even during REM, she averaged 94%, so her apnea episodes and desaturations must have been very, very short.

Are you confused yet? I thought so. Central apnea is when the brain (central nervous system) stops telling the body to breathe. That's why we had to go see a neurologist after the last sleep study. Obstructive apnea is when there is tissue in the way, causing breathing to stop (such as tonsils).

The doctor is not worried. Apparently, they see this a lot, and it's not a big deal... That being said, they're still sending Lily to be evaluated by an ENT. That doctor will be able to tell if her tonsils, adenoids, nasal passages, or who knows what else is swollen or too large, causing the "obstruction." I am curious to see if there is an issue with swelling in her throat; perhaps it's related to or caused by her swallowing problem.

In any case, the results of the study were not bad, per say. Just surprising.

Part of me really wants to just tell the doctors to leave Lily alone because she is fine. But the other part is very thankful for the comprehensive medical care she has always received.