Search found 1493 matches

by Mary Z
Sat Jul 26, 2014 12:55 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Central Apneas
Replies: 5
Views: 1684

Re: Central Apneas

Clear airway events are not always central apneas. You only average a little over two a night. Your AHI is good. I would mention it at your next appointment with the sleep doc, but I don't think it's anything worth worrying about. To diagnose a central apnea you need to be in the lab.
by Mary Z
Sat Jul 26, 2014 12:51 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: First Night New Machine ?
Replies: 3
Views: 1314

Re: First Night New Machine ?

Most of those numbers don't help as much as an AHI to see how you're doing. It's not the only parameter we look at.. The list of values you posted are important, but ultimately you will judge your progress with the AHI (apnea/hypopnea index). This number is the average number of apnea/hypopnea event...
by Mary Z
Thu Jul 24, 2014 2:10 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: New User Thoughts/Advice Appreciated
Replies: 6
Views: 1920

Re: New User Thoughts/Advice Appreciated

Mike, do you also have the ramp in use? This may help you to sleep as it's no good to sleep all night long trying not to move and make the mask leak. You can reengage the ramp when you wake up during the night- soon it won't be necessary. I hope your O2 sats come up with the machine- it should be ov...
by Mary Z
Thu Jul 24, 2014 1:34 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Not mouth breathing exactly, but.. err.. venting?
Replies: 10
Views: 2047

Re: Not mouth breathing exactly, but.. err.. venting?

Makes sense to me. You might try a chin strap on the nights this venting of pressure happens. You might try a FFM - just switch out when you find this happening. You've got a good setup.Good Luck
by Mary Z
Thu Jul 24, 2014 1:31 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: *Both* titrations were a fluke?
Replies: 20
Views: 3822

Re: *Both* titrations were a fluke?

None of my three titrations were effective at producing a working IPAP/EPAP. If you have a ramp feature enable it when you wake up, perhaps that will make it easier to go back to sleep. Maybe try Tylenol PM if you are not opposed to meds. I gradually tuned my ASV to very narrow changes in pressure b...
by Mary Z
Thu Jul 24, 2014 1:24 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Should I increase or decrease pressure?
Replies: 11
Views: 2742

Re: Should I increase or decrease pressure?

With that AHI I would not make any changes, though the pressure changes suggested seemed sound. A lot of people don't like meds, but I think a mild sleeping or antianxiety pill would help you sleep through the night. A non prescription idea is any of the PM meds that contain Benadryl (diphenhydramin...
by Mary Z
Thu Jul 24, 2014 1:17 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Finally getting bi-pap -- anything I should know?
Replies: 14
Views: 2774

Re: Finally getting bi-pap -- anything I should know?

The only thing I would suggest is that if you have EPR (exhalation pressure relief- Respironics calls it biflex) and a ramp feature use them until you're more comfortable and able to sleep well with the machine. I found the transition to be smooth. Keep us posted.
Good luck.
by Mary Z
Thu Jul 24, 2014 1:13 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Finally under ahi of five!
Replies: 2
Views: 1032

Finally under ahi of five!

It took me from April of 2008 until three months ago to reach that sub 5 AHI. I used every kind of machine and every kind of pressure. MY AHI even on my ASV was in the low teens, better than the 13-25 I used to run. My Doc blamed my meds, but I haven't changed anything, but stopped opiate PAIN MEDS....
by Mary Z
Wed May 01, 2013 10:44 am
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Sleep study tomorrow night need help!
Replies: 9
Views: 2255

Re: Sleep study tomorrow night need help!

Just try and relax. If you have a special pillow take that. Have an active, but not overly so, day so you will be tired enough for a normal nights sleep. Don't know any tricks to get you into REM, though. Sorry.
It's not a test you can study for...
Good Luck.
by Mary Z
Tue Apr 30, 2013 7:18 am
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Getting my ASV soon What should I do
Replies: 19
Views: 3449

Re: Getting my ASV soon What should I do

I can tell by your enthusiasm you're going to be successful with ASV. I would suggest that you not get ahead of yourself. Relax. You are very lucky getting the Cadillac of machines- take time to understand the functions. I have used a Respironics ASV for past 14 months. I figured it would take six m...
by Mary Z
Mon Apr 29, 2013 8:06 am
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: New Doctor - Feeling More Clarity
Replies: 76
Views: 10717

Re: New Doctor - At IPAP 18

Madalot, glad to hear you got a doc that didn't get defensive with all the work you've done. It seems as though you're having some ups and downs with the new, higher IPAP. Good luck, keep up the extraordinary work you've been doing.
by Mary Z
Wed Apr 24, 2013 10:13 am
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: I had one of those Aha! moments with my Quattro FX FF leaks
Replies: 2
Views: 967

Re: I had one of those Aha! moments with my Quattro FX FF leaks

I've had the same thing happen to me. You can't tell unless you take the mask off and look at it in the light. At least I couldn't.
by Mary Z
Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:09 am
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Frusrated, need help understanding why I can't sleep soundly
Replies: 16
Views: 4079

Re: Frusrated, need help understanding why I can't sleep soundly

I used to think all you had to do was strap on your mask, use the machine 100% of sleep time and all will be well. Then I learned that compliance with the machine does not guarantee quality sleep. I would start with simple, but not easy, sleep hygiene. I'm not good at reading graphs so I won't comme...
by Mary Z
Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:29 am
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Is ASV useful for AHI around 6, of which 4 are Centrals?
Replies: 24
Views: 4408

Re: Is ASV useful for AHI around 6, of which 4 are Centrals?

I find ASV to be the most comfortable and beneficial therapy. I had drug resistant depression, continued excessive sleepiness, no libido, and chronic leg and back pain requiring heavy meds. My AHI on BiLevel or AUTO was 18.6 for a solid year. The previous three years it was worse. Hard to believe, I...
by Mary Z
Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:31 am
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: So uterly and completely fed up with being constantly tired!
Replies: 5
Views: 1484

Re: So uterly and completely fed up with being constantly tired!

Joel, Good luck. If you do have sleep apnea you will probably go through the stages of grief. Your body is failing you in such a dramatic way- your breathing at night. Though the treatment can be straightforward and simple, it is a big change. It hopefully be a change for the better and the basic tr...