Expectations were dumped on again today...I've been using the Remstar auto titrator for 4 weeks, took the software card to my DME & dr., and my numbers aren't good. 98.9% of the time my pressure was topping out at 19. (Used regular cpap at 20 for 4 wks previously, didn't feel rested), My AHI average is 8.4, and still a significant # of apnea & hypnoapnea events. Dr. is thorough, she is running thyroid blood tests, and a 24 hr. urine test for cortisol, but also sending me to an ENT. She is thinking it may be a good idea to get rid of tonsils and adnoids and anything else that is unneeded that's hanging around. I'm 50 and surgury doesn't thrill me, but she admits it won't cure the apnea, but the idea is to open the airway more in order to avoid the high pressures I need. Will be trying a bi-level next week that goes up to 25, but dr. would still like to avoid these high pressures. I agree, it can't be good for you. Anyone else have experience with ENT's and/or surgery or knowledge or something to share on this? I'm learning a lot here. Diagnosed last November, waiting (and expecting) things to get better.
Still hopeful, and thanking God that I have insurance.
tk
trying not to be discouraged...
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oh yeah...
Forgot to say that the AHI # above is with treatment-the autotitrator.
tk
tk
Hibernating sounds so good....
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littlebaddow
- Posts: 416
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:21 pm
- Location: Essex, England
tk
This is not going to be easy to beat, but it can be beaten, please don't get discouraged.
It sounds like you have a good doc who is being thorough, so hang on in there.
I wish I could give you more practical tips, but I know nothing about the surgery and have no experience at the pressures you're dealing with, but I'm sure you will find people in this forum who do and therefore can
Importantly, you will find understanding, support and humour in this community, so do keep visiting and asking questions.
All the best
This is not going to be easy to beat, but it can be beaten, please don't get discouraged.
It sounds like you have a good doc who is being thorough, so hang on in there.
I wish I could give you more practical tips, but I know nothing about the surgery and have no experience at the pressures you're dealing with, but I'm sure you will find people in this forum who do and therefore can
Importantly, you will find understanding, support and humour in this community, so do keep visiting and asking questions.
All the best
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| Machine | Mask | |
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Airsense 10 & Airfit N20
TK, not feeling rested was a common problem for me too. While using
CPAP i NEVER felt rested. I repeat, NEVER. I had to drop CPAP and I am going to try it again after a very very very long absence. My AHI index was similar to yours but my pressure is lower. Do u know the stats breakdown? AI, HI?
Irregardless, don't go for the surgery. It likely won't help. You are putting yourself at more risk. You may have to try to use another brand of CPAP or even straight CPAP. What you can try doing is sleep on your side. Somebody told me that sleeping on the stomach may help too. You may also consider using a dental appliance in addition to the CPAP to improve your airway and lower the pressures.
As you are also aware, if you are overweight, losing weight will help a lot.
CPAP i NEVER felt rested. I repeat, NEVER. I had to drop CPAP and I am going to try it again after a very very very long absence. My AHI index was similar to yours but my pressure is lower. Do u know the stats breakdown? AI, HI?
Irregardless, don't go for the surgery. It likely won't help. You are putting yourself at more risk. You may have to try to use another brand of CPAP or even straight CPAP. What you can try doing is sleep on your side. Somebody told me that sleeping on the stomach may help too. You may also consider using a dental appliance in addition to the CPAP to improve your airway and lower the pressures.
As you are also aware, if you are overweight, losing weight will help a lot.
tk, how are you feeling compared to how you felt before? My understanding is that anything below 5 is very good and 8.4 is a little high, but not bad. Before throat surgery, I would look into less radical things:
1) Has your doctor put a scope up your sinuses to look for polyps?
2) Check into using a dental TAP device to pull your jaw forward slightly.
3) Check into somnoplasty. This can be used to shrink the palate or tissues inside the nose so you can breathe more freely. It uses radio waves. It has far less side effects than surgery.
Surgery may work, but it is a last resort.
1) Has your doctor put a scope up your sinuses to look for polyps?
2) Check into using a dental TAP device to pull your jaw forward slightly.
3) Check into somnoplasty. This can be used to shrink the palate or tissues inside the nose so you can breathe more freely. It uses radio waves. It has far less side effects than surgery.
Surgery may work, but it is a last resort.
thanks
Hey, thanks for the replies. I'm not giving up, thanks to this forum. I am using a TAPS dental device, and I sleep on my side. Planning on losing weight (I'm 60 lbs overweight). I don't like the idea of surgery at all, especially after what I've read on this forum. Has anyone had a positive experience with it?
My numbers, while using the Remstar autotitrating machine:
Average pressure 16.6; average 90% pressure is 19.6
Avg. OSA Index - 5.4
Avg. Hyponpnea Index - 2.7
Avg. Flow limitation Index - 1.5
These are the readings after 3 wks of use, (used Remstar cpap w/cflex for 6 wks before switching to the auto, constant pressure of 20, ramped up from 12). I haven't been groggy in the mornings like I used to be, but still fighting daytime sleepiness.
I suspect the ENT I'm going to see will "scope" me out. I do think I have a deviated septum, not sure how that applies to all this. Have no trouble breathing through my nose.
Again, thanks for all the replies.
tk
My numbers, while using the Remstar autotitrating machine:
Average pressure 16.6; average 90% pressure is 19.6
Avg. OSA Index - 5.4
Avg. Hyponpnea Index - 2.7
Avg. Flow limitation Index - 1.5
These are the readings after 3 wks of use, (used Remstar cpap w/cflex for 6 wks before switching to the auto, constant pressure of 20, ramped up from 12). I haven't been groggy in the mornings like I used to be, but still fighting daytime sleepiness.
I suspect the ENT I'm going to see will "scope" me out. I do think I have a deviated septum, not sure how that applies to all this. Have no trouble breathing through my nose.
Again, thanks for all the replies.
tk
Hibernating sounds so good....
TK, your values are very similar to mine as far the AHI index goes, a little bit higher. I (think) I am only 10 lbs overweight while others say I am only 5 lbs.
I suspect your feeling tired is because you are not entering ALL the stages of sleep, perhaps not even REM stage which is the case with me when I was on CPAP.
The one thing to remember about the autos is (according to my sleep doc) is that they are "NOT SMART ENOUGH" . The auto's tend not to adjust to the variable needs of the patient fast enough so you will still have apneas, especially hypopneas.
I suspect your feeling tired is because you are not entering ALL the stages of sleep, perhaps not even REM stage which is the case with me when I was on CPAP.
The one thing to remember about the autos is (according to my sleep doc) is that they are "NOT SMART ENOUGH" . The auto's tend not to adjust to the variable needs of the patient fast enough so you will still have apneas, especially hypopneas.
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