Lots of Hypoapneas

Hi everyone. I was hoping I could get some feedback. I am a fairly new user to CPAP and have been using the DreamStation auto CPAP for the past several months. The settings are 7-20 cmH20 but I always seem to be near the bottom of that range. My obstructive apneas are down, now normally 0-2 a night. But the problem I am having is loads of hypoapneas...commonly 18, 25, 20 a night. I'll also sometimes have up to 7 clear apneas a night...but mostly 2 to 3. My AHI levels are completely inconsistent. 4.3, 1.1 2.4, 1.5, 3.4, 1.5, 3.2, 3.9, 1.1 for the past week as an example. As a result, I haven't been feeling at all rested and wake up all the time.

My questions are: Is this a common? And shouldn't my CPAP machine be alleviating this issue? I've scheduled an appointment for my doctor but he won't be available til mid-July. Any thoughts, comments, suggestions would be appreciated. I Googled "lots of hypoapneas" and UARS came up...don't know if that's a possibility.

Thank you to everyone in advance.

Quick question - do you mostly sleep on your back?

And are you using software to monitor your sleep overnight?

I try to sleep on my side but I'm sure I do roll over onto my back on occasion.

I've downloaded the sleepyhead software but I'm not good with technology so I have no idea how to transfer the data.

Tell us what machine and mask you are using so we might be able to help.

Thanks. I have the Resperonics DreamStation with the Wisp Nasal mask.

westport wrote:Hi everyone. I was hoping I could get some feedback. I am a fairly new user to CPAP and have been using the DreamStation auto CPAP for the past several months. The settings are 7-20 cmH20 but I always seem to be near the bottom of that range. My obstructive apneas are down, now normally 0-2 a night. But the problem I am having is loads of hypoapneas...commonly 18, 25, 20 a night. I'll also sometimes have up to 7 clear apneas a night...but mostly 2 to 3. My AHI levels are completely inconsistent. 4.3, 1.1 2.4, 1.5, 3.4, 1.5, 3.2, 3.9, 1.1 for the past week as an example. As a result, I haven't been feeling at all rested and wake up all the time.

My questions are: Is this a common? And shouldn't my CPAP machine be alleviating this issue? I've scheduled an appointment for my doctor but he won't be available til mid-July. Any thoughts, comments, suggestions would be appreciated. I Googled "lots of hypoapneas" and UARS came up...don't know if that's a possibility.

Thank you to everyone in advance.

NO! YOU need to increase your minimum pressure to where it eliminates almost all of your events.
If you're going to use ranges of pressures, you need to understand how APAPs work......and they don't "know" what pressure you need. They respond to breathing characteristics and can take quite a bit of time to get from the pressure they're sitting at to the pressure you need (if you have those breathing characteristics). And, in the meantime of them getting from Point A to Point B, lots of events can occur.


Den

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westport wrote: DreamStation auto...The settings are 7-20 cmH20 ... I am having is loads of hypoapneas..... And shouldn't my CPAP machine be alleviating this issue? .

auto cpaps aren't magic, (for the most part) and have to be tuned for an individuals needs, yours has the minimum pressure set too low.

the respironics machines (including the dreamstation) are slow to react (which some people like, feeling that the treatment is more 'gentle'.) but that means, they need to be set with a low pressure that prevents most of your events.

download sleepyhead software and paste in the links for some charts, info on sleepyhead here: https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead as well as how to organize the charts so a single screenshot gives all we need to give you good advice.

Thanks Den. So possibly my minumum setting isn't high enough? How do increase that setting on the DreamStation?

Thanks. I've downloaded sleephead but don't know how I get the data into my computer. Do I need a reader for the card? Can it transfer the data wirelessly?

westport wrote:Thanks Den. So possibly my minumum setting isn't high enough? How do increase that setting on the DreamStation?

Here's some "Quickie" instructions.
If you want the full-blown provider manual, PM me with your email address and I'll send it to you.

Philips-Respironics DreamStation Series Machines
(DreamStation Auto BiPAP,
DreamStation BiPAP Pro,
DreamStation Auto CPAP,
DreamStation CPAP Pro, &
DreamStation CPAP):

Supply power to the device: first, plug the socket end of the AC power cord into the power supply.

Then plug the pronged end of the AC power cord into an electrical outlet that is not controlled by a wall switch.

Finally, plug the power supply cord's connector into the power inlet on the back of the device.

Once the device is powered, press and hold both the control dial and the Ramp button on the device for at least 5 seconds.

You are now in Provider Mode.

To adjust a setting, rotate the control dial to your desired menu option, then press the control dial to select that setting.

Rotate the control dial to change the setting.

Press the control dial again to save the change.

Select the "Home" icon to exit Provider Mode and return to Patient Mode.

(note: setup manuals for these machines are available by email, below)


Den

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westport wrote:Thanks. I've downloaded sleephead but don't know how I get the data into my computer. Do I need a reader for the card? Can it transfer the data wirelessly?

Yes, you need a reader for the SD card.
I recently picked up a "Digipower DP-MCR4 Multi-card reader" at Walmart for $10.
Even though I don't use a CPAP with an SD card, it'll still work for my digital camera cards, if necessary.


Den

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Thanks everyone. I had no idea that obstructive apneas could be pretty much eliminated without taking care of the other types of apneas. Sounds as though I need to adjust my settings

I have the DreamStation AutoCPAP machine. I'm going to Best Buy to see if I can get a card reader and then come back and do a download. Would be helpful to see and understand the data. Sounds like I've been flying blind. The doctors in this CPAP business have not been very helpful in the education.

Thanks again. I'll touch base later when I have the reader.

westport wrote:Thanks. I've downloaded sleephead but don't know how I get the data into my computer. Do I need a reader for the card? Can it transfer the data wirelessly?

yes, you need a SD card reader, there are wifi sd cards available, you'd have to purchase one, there's links on the site I gave you about the toshiba flashair card.

I recommend you get the manual for your machine from apneaboard.com, there's a link at the top of the page on how to request a manual, it's helpful to have the manual, so that you have some reference as to what the functions and options are, instead of just being told "here's how you unlock the gates".

palerider wrote:

westport wrote:Thanks. I've downloaded sleephead but don't know how I get the data into my computer. Do I need a reader for the card? Can it transfer the data wirelessly?

yes, you need a SD card reader, there are wifi sd cards available, you'd have to purchase one, there's links on the site I gave you about the toshiba flashair card.

I recommend you get the manual for your machine from apneaboard.com, there's a link at the top of the page on how to request a manual, it's helpful to have the manual, so that you have some reference as to what the functions and options are, instead of just being told "here's how you unlock the gates".

I have THE manual. The one I linked to (with the Philips/Respironics link) on the forum awhile back......which they promptly changed the following day or two.
It IS the full-blown provider's manual.......in COLOR, too.


Den

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To be clear, you don't need a card to increase your pressure, only to read Sleepyhead.