questions about lowering AHI
Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 7:30 am
I started CPAP therapy on 2/2/12. I have an S9 autoset and my inital pressures were set at 5 and 8 by the titration study. My sleep clinic was great during the studies and setting up and explaining the machine - horrible at supprot and follow up that they said they would do. RT told me he would call after 4 days to see how it was going and then again at 2 weeks. Neither happened. I emailed him after a few days and he called and answered a couple of questions. I told him that I was not seeing an AHI on my machine. He said if I wasn't it was because it was 0. Of course that was not true. I figured out how to turn on the sleep report and was able to monitor it. Always under 5 but often in the 4s. Then I went back on 3/6 and saw the doctor. I told him that my 95th percentile was always at 8 so he agreed that the pressure should be raised and said he would raise it to 6 and 9. I also told him I wanted to try a full face mask as I was having some congestion problems and mouth breathing even with a chin strap. They measured me and said they would have to order one and would contact me when it came in. 3 weeks and 2 emails later and still haven't heard anything. Checked the next morning and my 95th percentile was still 8. So I figured out with the help of this board and the apnea board how to get into the clinician's settings. Sure enough the pressure had not been changed. I changed it to 6 and 9. AHI still hovering in the high 3s and 4s. Better certainly than what it was before CPAP but I want to get the most bang for my buck! However I kept it that way for 20 days to get used to it. I then changed it to 10 leaving the lower range at 6. Ramp is only 10 minutes but it is an easy way to get started every night. So for two nights I have had it at 10. THe 95th percentile pressure on both nights is 10. AHI of 2.5 and 3.1. Better certainly but - really - I want it to get as low as I can. However I will leave it at this to get used to it and see what happens. I want to post some of my data but am unsure of how to do it. I have both Sleepyhead and the Res Scan software.
I am so frustrated with thie after care and support that I am receiving. I did talk to the doctor about it when I saw him as I was having some problems with his billing person not returning calls too and he seemed really concerned and then - DIDN'T CHANGE THE PRESSURE WHEN HE SAID HE WOULD. I see him again on 5/8. Prepared to listen to crap about chaniging my own pressure and prepared to reply to that crap as well. Aetna has me paying for the machine for 10 months after which I own it - wonder if I can change doctors during that time...
So I have rambled but my questions are - how can I post some data? SHould I raise the lower pressure as well so it is in a 3 point range? How long should I wait before I raise it again if my 95th percentile keeps reaching the upper limits? Thoughts on staying with this practice or changing. They blah blah when you are on hold about how important you are to them and how they know the most important thing is their patient's satisfaction and the best compliment is a referral - and yet they really do not offer good support when that is what is most crucial for success.
I am so frustrated with thie after care and support that I am receiving. I did talk to the doctor about it when I saw him as I was having some problems with his billing person not returning calls too and he seemed really concerned and then - DIDN'T CHANGE THE PRESSURE WHEN HE SAID HE WOULD. I see him again on 5/8. Prepared to listen to crap about chaniging my own pressure and prepared to reply to that crap as well. Aetna has me paying for the machine for 10 months after which I own it - wonder if I can change doctors during that time...
So I have rambled but my questions are - how can I post some data? SHould I raise the lower pressure as well so it is in a 3 point range? How long should I wait before I raise it again if my 95th percentile keeps reaching the upper limits? Thoughts on staying with this practice or changing. They blah blah when you are on hold about how important you are to them and how they know the most important thing is their patient's satisfaction and the best compliment is a referral - and yet they really do not offer good support when that is what is most crucial for success.