High AHI numbers

[TCW]

I'm on my 5th week of using a CPAP machine and my AHI numbers are still running 10-14! (sleep test high of 62) The Resmed 10 Auto was dumping up to 19 cm air pressure into me. I was changed over to a Resmed AirCurve 10 Auto BiPAP machine and my AHI number are the same! The BiPAP machine says it's pumping 16 cm of air. (no significant air leaks on either machine) I use a full face mask.

Any Ideas?

Tom

[zonker]

I'm on my 5th week of using a CPAP machine and my AHI numbers are still running 10-14! (sleep test high of 62) The Resmed 10 Auto was dumping up to 19 cm air pressure into me. I was changed over to a Resmed AirCurve 10 Auto BiPAP machine and my AHI number are the same! The BiPAP machine says it's pumping 16 cm of air. (no significant air leaks on either machine) I use a full face mask.

Any Ideas?

Tom

welcome aboard! the only idea i have is that you need to supply the experts here with more data. (i am NOT one of those experts!)

each of us is slightly different in how we progress through our cpap journey. we have different pressure needs. we sleep differently. and so on. and mainly, we are different in how our individual ahi breaks out.

this difference is crucial in getting your therapy optimized. what the experts here on the forum need to see is HOW your ahi is constructed. to do that, you'll need to post some charts.

please grab the free oscar software- https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/

also see the link at the bottom of my post regarding newbies. it's filled with all kinds of advice pointed towards helping you out.

good luck!

[Pugsy]

What are your current settings and what is your AHI composed of?
There are 3 event categories that compose the AHI and to figure out what might be needed to bring that AHI down we need to know what kind of apnea events are happening along with what settings you are using now.

[TCW]

Here's what I get with Oscar.

Jun17.jpg (760.13 KiB) Viewed 4083 times

[attachment=0]

[Pugsy]

You need a lot more EPAP baseline than what you are starting with now. The machine can't respond fast enough with such a low setting to be able to prevent the airway from collapsing.

At least 10 cm EPAP and maybe even more. Without seeing the pressure graphs I am just making a wild guess.

Review this thread please and the next time you post your graphs do it in the format shown here.

viewtopic/t158560/How-to-post-images-for-review.html

You have included graphs that aren't helpful at all and omitted a couple that would be helpful.

[TCW]

Thanks! I'll try to figure out Oscar to print out more useful graphs.

Tom

[TCW]

Thanks for your reply Pugsy! Is this any better?

TomsData.jpg (294.66 KiB) Viewed 3987 times

[jimbud]

Thanks for your reply Pugsy! Is this any better?


TomsData.jpg

In the future.
Lose the AHI graph.
Get rid of the pie chart.

That will allow more room for the useful graphs.
Just my suggestion.
If Pugsey tell you different forget what I wrote and do what she says. Amen.
JPB

[Pugsy]

Yes, that is better. Next time lose the AHI graph too and make the other graphs slightly larger.
The pie chart isn't hiding the statistics so I don't care if it is there or not.
Only reason to hide the pie chart is when the statistics below it can't be seen easily.

I still think you need at least the 10 cm minimum starting point and maybe even more to reduce those obstructive events.

Are you comfortable changing the pressures yourself or do you wish to have your medical care team do it?
If you are comfortable changing stuff...do you know how?

[TCW]

Yes, I know how to get into "clinical" mode. Is it EPAP that you are suggesting raising to 10?

Thanks,
Tom

[Pugsy]

Yes, EPAP from 7 to 10.
Leave all the other settings alone.
You may need more EPAP but 3 cm jump is a pretty good size jump so that's all I would attempt at this time.
And if you can't manage that...start with smaller increase and work up....like maybe EPAP 8 or 9 and see how it feels.

[TCW]

I'll give it a try tonight!

Tom

[TCW]

EPAP set at 10 did bring down the AHI to 15. I set the EPAP to 12 and the pressure was so much that it was hard to exhale and maintaining a mask seal was impossible. I set it back to 11 and it was slighly easier to exhale but the AHI didn't come down any.

After 6 weeks of this I'm about ready to quit.

Tom

[HoseCrusher]

Before you quit...

Perhaps a change in perspective will help. Are you able to identify anything that is more positive now?

While you are dialing in your machine, how about resetting your circadian rhythm?

Sometimes expanding your perspective offers new insights...

[TCW]

One plus is that my wife says I do NOT snore any more!

Tom