I am posting this for a family member who had APNEA symptoms (some light snoring, fatigue, etc.) They did an at-home test that showed 6 or so events per hour. The doctor prescribed them a CPAP machine that was set for a range of 4-12. After several nights during which they had the usual difficulties with the mask, they were able to keep the mask on for a few hours each night. During those nights, the machine reported between 5 and 10 events per hour and the person usually woke up unable to exhale. They are still tired during the day and have all but given up on using the machine.
The doctor suggested raising the upper limit of the pressure setting to 14 (the machine was reporting average pressures around 11.
. The doctor also suggested that the patient may need a BiPAP machine and is working to schedule them for a sleep study in a sleep lab.This person has sought my advice. I've been on CPAP for almosti 20 years and I used to know all about reading and interpreting the detailed charts. But my AHI has been at less than 1 for years and I have filed all of that information far away in the archives of my brain.
Before I post the person's chart, I am trying to help them with some simple questions about the sleep study in the lab. The one I went through consisted of two periods: one without the mask and one with. Is that pretty much how it goes when the patient needs a BiPAP or a VPAP machine? Also, is the study able to detect what is causing this person to have difficulty exhaling even if they don't have an actual episode? They are concerned that it won't happen during the night and they'll have to repeat the study until it happens (which their insurance won't cover).
On a side note, would it help to reduce the pressure range on their CPAP while they wait for the sleep study? I just have this feeling that 4-14 is "sloppy" but don't recall why.
Thanks.
