AHI-Is it important-how do I lower it?

Just finished my 3 month compliance check and the Therapist said that my AHI was running a little high-47.5. During this time frame I was on a Respironics BiPap in the Cpap mode with the pressure at 14.0. Orginally, the Doc programmed me for BiPap at 10-25, but after 7 days I kept blowing my mask so he switched me to the Cpap mode. Now, after a couple of months, I like the mask, Quattro FX, and the Cpap seemed comfortable and I am getting good sleep and other than the AHI I am getting better than average results. Oh yes, for the past several nights I went back to the BiPap mode and have not had any problem.

Does switching back to BiPap help lower the AHI? Do I need to lower my AHI? Is there a magical AHI number?

Appreciate any input

BB

Generally we like to see AHI less than 5....so yeah your AHI needs some work.

What is the breakdown in your AHI of each event category? Clear Airway hourly index? Hyponea Index and Obstructive Apnea Index?

Are you using the software to see your AHI or are you getting the number off the LCD screen?

Edit: I see you have a M series machine showing in your profile? How come you have an older discontinued model machine? Not that it is bad, just older and not the latest technology and you won't see a Clear Airway Index (even if you did have the software) because the M series machines didn't score them.
There is software available that you can use to obtain the data that is offered on the M series machine but you would need a special card reader to use the smart card and the software.

The new technology PR S1 BiPap...like I have in my profile have been out for a long time and unless you were given a machine from a friend or family member...3 months ago a DME should have provided you with a new technology machine. New machines have SD cards and much easier to use software and they do score Clear Airway events which would be rather important.

In your sleep studies did anyone mention "centrals" in either study?

I got my numbers from a print out that the DME gave me when I went in for the compliance check. My LCD is indicating 33 for both 7 and 30 days. I do not have any software and have no idea how to get the breakdown of my AHI

No one has ever mentioned "centrals", your the first, I do not know what it means.
Disregard my profile--I hit the wrong machine and I haven't been able to figure out how to correct it. My machine is a respironics bipap autop ds750 with a heated humidifier. I do have a SD card but without any software I cannot read it.

Hi there, I am a newbie too and this is actually my first reply to a post. Welcome to this great site! You can download the sleepyhead program here: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Others/Mis ... Head.shtml
And then can read your own data. It is great, gives you a breakdown of all the statistics and helps you to take control of your therapy. I have someone on this forum who is very helpful and helps me to read it and adjust pressures etc.
Good luck!

thanks flocof-I will give it a try

Bob... you should have the same machine as mine. Better to add it as text than to add it as pictures.

cflame1

In retrospect I agree that words are better than pics. Unfortunatley I have tried and tried to edit my profile but have not figured out how to undo the info I put in.

Going back to your original question, what do your numbers look like on Sleepyhead?

You edit your profile same way as you added the pictures the first time but you choose text or at least the proper machine image.
From the equipment drop down menu...look for the grouping of equipment names that start with PR System One Remstar BiPap Auto... That is the name of your machine...same name shows up in my profile.
Then you have to click on submit to make the changes permanent.

For more instructions with pictures..wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile

LCD showing AHI of 33 for both 7 and 30 day? Way too high if that is the case.

CFLAME1-sorry for the delay in response. I thought I had replied but I do not see it so I guess I messed up somewhere.

In regards to the Sleepyhead software, I went through the download and at the end of it I got a message saying that this software could cause damage to my computer and gave me the option to cancel and I did. My thoughts now are of taking my SD card to the Doc and let him decipher it.

it's beta... open source. The author's a member on here.

If you want to wait for the doc or the DME go ahead... just don't depend on them to be able or to want to be able to help because not all of them will. Be fore warned.

I installed Sleepyhead and downloaded my SD card. I think I screwed it up because my data only shows to Feb 3rd. Anyway, I going to monitor it for a while and see how it goes. Thanks to all who encourage me. I will probably have some more questions in a week or two.