Central apnea during stage 3,4 sleep.

A 45-year-old female who complained of frequent awakenings and excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale 16/24) was referred for a sleep study. Her husband reported that she had frequent pauses in her breathing during sleep with intermittent snoring and gasping. The patient began having sleep problems about 2 years before the sleep study. At that time she also developed severe pain associated with cervical degenerative joint disease requiring treatment with oxycodone. There was no history of recent weight gain or nasal congestion.