AI = 0.0

Sheesh! I find it hard to believe that after all this while I am fairly consistently getting an AI of 0.0 in Spontaneous mode w/the Resmed S8 VPAP Auto and I haven't thought to brag about it until now!!!! Duh.

Our old-time members will most likely remember the problems I had w/too abrupt pressure transitions between IPAP and EPAP in Spontaneous mode and that I had to go to Auto mode w/the Pressure Support set at the exact difference between IPAP and EPAP to get the smooth EasyBreathe pressure transitions.

It has taken from March of 2008 until the past two months to achieve this. Of course, most of that time was eventually spent in Auto mode but every now and then I'd switch to Spontaneous mode and change some of the settings trying to find the answer. There are so many settings that can be adjusted as compared to straight CPAP or even APAP, and at one change at a time, one week at a time ....

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!! I'm a HAPPY camper! Yeah, I still get some hypopneas but the HI is almost always 2 or less.

Patience is a virtue - but I am NOT the most patient patient as most of you also know.

Congratulations, Slinky!!! That is very cool indeed.

My AHI is routinely below 1.0, but when I get a rare day of 0.0 I feel like I've just won the Grand Prix - to have accomplished AI=0.0 as a regular thing, I think you should do some serious celebrating!

That is really encouraging Slinky! Right now I'm fighting the battle of finding the right mask. If I ever get that accomplished, it's on to (hopefully) lower my AHI numbers. How high were your AHI numbers back in '08? Mine are usually below 10 but if I change anything at all I might see 17 or 20! Your post gives me hope! Congratulations!

Well done Slinky

Just curious - How much was you doctor involved in all this?

Well done, Slinky! That's what you call perseverance, people!

I used to get an AHI of 0.0-1.0 pretty consistently, but with some chronic pain issues which begets less exercise which begets a bit of weight gain, I hover in the 1.5-3.0 range. It's usually on the lower end. I also can't have my pressure too high because of aerophagia issues, so it's a balancing act for all of us, right?

Way to KICK A$$ Slinky! and I do remember your struggles I am very glad to see you finally got it licked !

Ah! I SO understand about pressure and aerophagia. At one point things got so bad I had to quit PAP therapy entirely for almost two months and then start back on it at 8cms of pressure and climb up gradually again. And just in case, Prilosec and increasing my Crohn's med, Pentasa, back up to 16 capsules a day from 8 a day. (My success numbers are 10 EPAP and 14 IPAP).

I was able to persevere only because after the first 30 nights on CPAP (which were the WORST 30 nights of (non) sleep I'd ever experienced) I was seeing GRADUAL improvement, very gradual, barely enough encouragement to keep me going if it hadn't been for the assistance and encouragement of cpaptalk members.

Well, my sleep pulmo I like wasn't as involved as he could have been simply because he moved to a neighboring town a hour drive away. I tried some local sleep pulmos before biting the bullet and driving that hour one way to see him. By that time I was pretty strong willed about what I would and wouldn't try, what I would and wouldn't accept. Fortunately, we'd gotten to know each other that he was able to brush aside my occasional lack of diplomacy. But he also, I think, gave me more credit than I deserved as to just how much I knew and understood. We had to hash that out before we meshed. Then he would give me a suggested pressure range and let me work it out for six months before seeing me again. Of course, I could make an earlier appointment if needed.

I don't really remember what my AHI averaged thru the years. Usually not more than 10 but I can't say it didn't go over 10 on a rare occasion. I'd have to go back thru my ResScan and EncorePro data to say for w/any accuracy.

You DO have to find that "right" mask that works for you before you are going to achieve any real consistent success. I stuck w/the old Respironics Simplicity simple nasal cushion far longer than I should have but I so loved its "simplicity", lightweight, no forehead brace ... Eventualy I had to accept that I wasn't able to control the "lip flutters" and had to move on to a full face mask. And I was fortunate to stumble on the Quattro FX as the third full face I tried.

I only tried about 3-4 nasal pillows masks of which the Swift FX was the best for me. But there were the ole "lip flutters" to contend with and since during this time I "graduated" to oxygen 24/7 my poor nose just really needed that night time break of no air pressure directly into it.

Congrats Slinky!

This is Fantastic!!!

I had 0.6 last night and felt great with 7.9 hrs of sleep. Boss even could tell the difference.

That's great, Boomer. Continued success w/your therapy. Not everyone takes a long as I have!!!

And thank you, everyone.