Fluctuating AHI Numbers
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 7:09 pm
Hello fellow CPAP users! I'm looking for answers to a number of questions that I have as a new CPAP user. A brief history of my situation: I've had three sleep studies since July 2012 (it is now September 2012). During my first study my AHI was too low to warrant a CPAP (3.7 rounded to 4). During my second study I had an AHI of 50 (severe OSA). My AHI during my sleep study with a CPAP was 4.7 and I was assigned a pressure of 7cm.
I have slept with my machine 17 nights since I brought it home and I've averaged 9 hours per night 7 nights per week. My first concern is that my AHI numbers are bouncing around like a toddler in need of an unsweetened breakfast cereal. My lowest average for a single night has been 2.2. That was one of the best nights sleep that I've had in years. My numbers have gone as high as 10.1 with a combined average for my 17 nights to date being 6.0 (approximately 2 points higher than my first sleep study without a CPAP). I contacted my CPAP supplier and was told that fluctuations were "normal" and that I shouldn't be concerned unless they go to 12 or 15 or so. Hmmmm. I asked them if I would ever stabilize and, if so, what would that look like? (ex: most nights averaging 4 plus or minus 1 point etc...) I didn't get an answer.
People that I've spoken with who use CPAP machines have told me how those machines changed their lives so I had very high hopes when I brought mine home. I've had a taste of that greatness but only twice since I've been using the machine. I'm beginning to wonder if 7cm isn't enough pressure. Sometimes I think that there must be something wrong with the machine - is it working properly? I'm trying to understand what appear to me to be very significant fluctuations and to try to understand what that means, if I will ever stabilize (or if waking up will still always be a crap shoot) and if there is anything that I can do to facilitate a decrease in the fluctuations but the "professionals" are proving to be a real disappointment thus far.
If anyone who reads this can offer me any insights I would be most grateful.
Reader4211
I have slept with my machine 17 nights since I brought it home and I've averaged 9 hours per night 7 nights per week. My first concern is that my AHI numbers are bouncing around like a toddler in need of an unsweetened breakfast cereal. My lowest average for a single night has been 2.2. That was one of the best nights sleep that I've had in years. My numbers have gone as high as 10.1 with a combined average for my 17 nights to date being 6.0 (approximately 2 points higher than my first sleep study without a CPAP). I contacted my CPAP supplier and was told that fluctuations were "normal" and that I shouldn't be concerned unless they go to 12 or 15 or so. Hmmmm. I asked them if I would ever stabilize and, if so, what would that look like? (ex: most nights averaging 4 plus or minus 1 point etc...) I didn't get an answer.
People that I've spoken with who use CPAP machines have told me how those machines changed their lives so I had very high hopes when I brought mine home. I've had a taste of that greatness but only twice since I've been using the machine. I'm beginning to wonder if 7cm isn't enough pressure. Sometimes I think that there must be something wrong with the machine - is it working properly? I'm trying to understand what appear to me to be very significant fluctuations and to try to understand what that means, if I will ever stabilize (or if waking up will still always be a crap shoot) and if there is anything that I can do to facilitate a decrease in the fluctuations but the "professionals" are proving to be a real disappointment thus far.
If anyone who reads this can offer me any insights I would be most grateful.
Reader4211