He's got: Wild AHI Swings

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Dennis de NorthWet
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He's got: Wild AHI Swings

Post by Dennis de NorthWet » Sun Apr 23, 2017 2:33 am

Papers,
I likely don't have all the needed info, but I've got a friend who's new to this game who's having issues.

He's using a Resmed Dreamstation "with all the bells and whistles" and says he's having AHI readings ranging between 8 and 40+. Per the wisdom of this forum, I suggested to him that his machine may be set at too high a pressure. Unfortunately I don't know what that pressure is. He has an appointment with a doc, but not for a few weeks. Comments? Suggestions?

Regards, DDN

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GoodGuysFinish

Re: He's got: Wild AHI Swings

Post by GoodGuysFinish » Sun Apr 23, 2017 3:47 am

I have been at this a little while, not a super expert, but have no idea how you could come to that conclusion.

The friend should go to a doc or someone who can extract the complete data from his machine. The data in capable hands is what will lead to good conclusions.

GGF

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LSAT
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Re: He's got: Wild AHI Swings

Post by LSAT » Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:41 am

Dennis de NorthWet wrote:Papers,
I likely don't have all the needed info, but I've got a friend who's new to this game who's having issues.

He's using a Resmed Dreamstation "with all the bells and whistles" and says he's having AHI readings ranging between 8 and 40+. Per the wisdom of this forum, I suggested to him that his machine may be set at too high a pressure. Unfortunately I don't know what that pressure is. He has an appointment with a doc, but not for a few weeks. Comments? Suggestions?

Regards, DDN
With an AHI that high he most likely has the pressure set too low. See if you can get him to download Sleepyhead Software to see exactly what is happening with his therapy. He has a data capable machine and may be able to monitor and adjust his own therapy.
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment

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robysue
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Re: He's got: Wild AHI Swings

Post by robysue » Sun Apr 23, 2017 9:04 am

Dennis de NorthWet wrote:Papers,
I likely don't have all the needed info, but I've got a friend who's new to this game who's having issues.

He's using a Resmed Dreamstation "with all the bells and whistles" and says he's having AHI readings ranging between 8 and 40+. Per the wisdom of this forum, I suggested to him that his machine may be set at too high a pressure. Unfortunately I don't know what that pressure is. He has an appointment with a doc, but not for a few weeks. Comments? Suggestions?

Regards, DDN
Offer to take a look at his data in SleepyHead.

Until we know what the breakdown of those events is, we can't speculate on whether the pressure is too high or too low. Without knowing what the leak line looks like, we can't speculate about whether the too high treated AHI might be related to serious mouth breathing that renders his therapy totally ineffective.

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englandsf
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Re: He's got: Wild AHI Swings

Post by englandsf » Sun Apr 23, 2017 10:33 am

Triage basics:

1. What's the pressure setting? If it's low it could be a problem. If it's high it could be driving leaks
2. What's the leak rate? - if it's high on bad nights the mask is not working
3. What's the mask type - if not full face then mouth leaks could be an issue.

Hope this helps

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chunkyfrog
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Re: He's got: Wild AHI Swings

Post by chunkyfrog » Sun Apr 23, 2017 11:40 am

industry shill wrote: . . . a doc or someone who can extract . . . The data in capable hands . . .

FYI:
"Capable hands" are not necessarily attached to over-worked, under-trained "providers".
Forum members promote the concept that the PATIENT is often the only one with a vested interest in successful treatment.

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robysue
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Re: He's got: Wild AHI Swings

Post by robysue » Sun Apr 23, 2017 11:56 am

GoodGuysFinish wrote:I have been at this a little while, not a super expert, but have no idea how you could come to that conclusion.

The friend should go to a doc or someone who can extract the complete data from his machine. The data in capable hands is what will lead to good conclusions.

GGF
Anyone around here who uses SleepyHead (or ResScan or Encore) can look at that data and most of us can analyze better than many doctors and most DMEs do.
englandsf wrote:Triage basics:

1. What's the pressure setting? If it's low it could be a problem. If it's high it could be driving leaks
2. What's the leak rate? - if it's high on bad nights the mask is not working
3. What's the mask type - if not full face then mouth leaks could be an issue.

Hope this helps
The only way Questions 1 and 2 can be answered is by looking at the data. The OP should offer to look at the data on the SD card for their friend.

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Wulfman...
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Re: He's got: Wild AHI Swings

Post by Wulfman... » Sun Apr 23, 2017 12:50 pm

Dennis de NorthWet wrote:Papers,
I likely don't have all the needed info, but I've got a friend who's new to this game who's having issues.

He's using a Resmed Dreamstation "with all the bells and whistles" and says he's having AHI readings ranging between 8 and 40+. Per the wisdom of this forum, I suggested to him that his machine may be set at too high a pressure. Unfortunately I don't know what that pressure is. He has an appointment with a doc, but not for a few weeks. Comments? Suggestions?

Regards, DDN
ResMed doesn't make the DreamStation........Philips/Respironics does.


Den

.
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palerider
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Re: He's got: Wild AHI Swings

Post by palerider » Sun Apr 23, 2017 2:08 pm

LSAT wrote:
Dennis de NorthWet wrote:Papers,
I likely don't have all the needed info, but I've got a friend who's new to this game who's having issues.

He's using a Resmed Dreamstation "with all the bells and whistles" and says he's having AHI readings ranging between 8 and 40+. Per the wisdom of this forum, I suggested to him that his machine may be set at too high a pressure. Unfortunately I don't know what that pressure is. He has an appointment with a doc, but not for a few weeks. Comments? Suggestions?

Regards, DDN
With an AHI that high he most likely has the pressure set too low.
this is true.

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Dennis de NorthWet
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Re: He's got: Wild AHI Swings

Post by Dennis de NorthWet » Mon Apr 24, 2017 2:30 pm

Papers,
Thanks all for your input. Passed it on. Hopefully my friend will join us here eventually.
My bad on the brand, but the model was correct.

Anyhow, his machine is set at 8 and he has no leaks indicated.
He intends to call his doc this afternoon and download SleepyHead.
Also, he just moved from FL to CO with the altitude change, which I don't see making a lot of difference. (?)

Regards
Dennis

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Eson™ Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Started with a S9. Now have AirSense 10. S10 is noisier than S9 even though it's supposed to be the quietest thing on the market.

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Wulfman...
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Re: He's got: Wild AHI Swings

Post by Wulfman... » Mon Apr 24, 2017 4:09 pm

Dennis de NorthWet wrote:Papers,
Thanks all for your input. Passed it on. Hopefully my friend will join us here eventually.
My bad on the brand, but the model was correct.

Anyhow, his machine is set at 8 and he has no leaks indicated.
He intends to call his doc this afternoon and download SleepyHead.
Also, he just moved from FL to CO with the altitude change, which I don't see making a lot of difference. (?)

Regards
Dennis
All data-capable machines have automatic altitude adjustments (up to pretty high altitudes), so that shouldn't be a problem.


Den

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(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
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robysue
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Re: He's got: Wild AHI Swings

Post by robysue » Mon Apr 24, 2017 5:06 pm

Dennis de NorthWet wrote: Also, he just moved from FL to CO with the altitude change, which I don't see making a lot of difference. (?)
What elevation is he now living at?

While modern CPAPs doe a got job of adjusting to altitude automatically, the specs on the DreamStation list the maximum operating altitude as 7,500 feet.

If he is living close to that altitude or above he may need to consult someone who knows something about how to adjust his machine's pressure settings properly for the altitude he is living at.

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Machine: DreamStation BiPAP® Auto Machine
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