Are my numbers acceptable.

[My_Dream]

Details

ResMed S8 Elite11 with ResMed Swift FX, Large Pillow.
5'11" @ 225 lbs.
Diagnosed with 85.7 events per hour during sleep study 8 years ago.
I sleep best on my back so the air pressure from mask won't blow in my wife's face and better on my body. I know it's best to sleep on my side but it doesn't work for me.
I sleep on 1, Bio-Soy, hard, memory foam pillow.
My average sleep time is in bed by 9:30pm and out of bed by 5:30 am with 2-3 urination trips during the night which I will generally loose 1 hour sleep for said inconvenience.

Below is a weekly average with pressure at 15.0 and EPR at highest level with humidity at level 4.

AHI 6.8
Leak 0.04L/S
AI 0.8
HI 6.0

It generally takes me about 15 minutes to fall asleep and every morning I wake up tired, will little energy.

Any idea whether I can make any changes on my machine or mask, as I'm trying to figure out why I'm always tired and fight to stay awake during the day?

[LSAT]

Considering that you have been on treatment for 8 years the AHi seems a little high. Now...If I remember correctly, when I was using an S8 machine, the HI was overstated. I was told at the time to cut the HI number in half to determine my actual AHI. This was verified when I upgraded to S9...My average AHI and HI dropped considerably. Have you considered upgrading? There are great buys available on S9 machines since they are being discontinued.

[Krelvin]

How are you awakened to get up at 5:30am every morning?

[Julie]

I'd work on not back sleeping... because it's difficult to get a good seal when you sleep that way (I so know that!) and your high 'scores' are mostly hypopneas, which probably would lessen greatly if you didn't back sleep.

[My_Dream]

Thanks for the replies.

LSAT
I just found out that the prescription that my family doctor gave me is not accepted so I have an appointment beginning of March to get a new prescription for a replacement. On my wish list is the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet, let's see what I'm actually entitled to re prescription and insurance.

Krelvin
I've had sleep apnea for as long as I can remember as my parents had to close all bedroom doors, due to my snoring being very loud, yet I never used an alarm to wake since I guess I'm a light sleeper. Fast forward to now and I'd say I get up before the alarm 90% of the time even if I've only had about 3 hours sleep.

What are acceptable levels and how can I obtain them. We purchased a new Kingsdown King mattress (2 months ago) so my wife never disrupts my sleep as she has enough room. also the mattress is more comfortable so it's not an issue. I'm told I no longer kick or jump during sleep, but do snore just a bit...........according to my wife.

[jonny515]

My understanding is that urinating at night is really a symptom of sleep apnea. I don't think it's so much the urinating but the waking up. You wake up and realize your bladder is full. If you didn't wake up, you wouldn't know. Of course, it could be a symptom of something else-- prostate issues or UTIs come to mind.

[OkyDoky]

I sleep best on my back so the air pressure from mask won't blow in my wife's face and better on my body. I know it's best to sleep on my side but it doesn't work for me.

An Airfit P10 has cured that problem for many. It has very quiet and diffused venting. Hopefully with it you would be able to sleep however you feel comfortable.
I don't know if your machine has an SD card or if it has data that can be downloaded to Sleepyhead but if it does that would be a better source of info and if it does not make sure your next one does.

[My_Dream]

Thanks once again for your replies.

Julie
I guess it's a toss up then, if I sleep on my stomach, it's not as comfortable on my body, but it's believed that my hypopneas levels will be reduced thus increasing my quality of sleep. If I sleep on my back, it helps reduce the blow out from the Swift FX, as well it's more comfortable on my body. I could try sleeping on my stomach for a week and see if the levels change?

jonny515
I've had the finger up the *** ****, as well as stool sample etc and they say all is ok, so they placed me on meds to reduce the urination from 5 times per night, down to 2-3. I find that I get a slight pain and it prompts me to wake up and empty my bladder which eliminates the discomfort/slight pain. As for does the need to urinate wake me or do I wake and need to urinate, I view that as, which came first, the chicken or the egg and I don't know the answer to either one.

OkyDoky
I find it difficult to find a comfortable nasal mask that will accommodate pressures between 15-17 and so far the Swift FX (despite it's faults) has been the best so far in keeping the leakage under control and attempting to be comfortable enough to not only fall asleep but remain asleep. The major downfall is the blow out as if it were a relief valve that's constant. I hesitate in purchasing a different mask as I own it after purchase, but based on positive review I think the P10 seems like a good replacement. Based on the AHI of 6.8 and that being mild apnea (correct me if I'm wrong), would that be enough to wake me, compared to 85.7 without the machine which is what I dealt with before being diagnosed.

Does the P10 blow much less air than the FX?

Yes, it has the SD card but I don't have a software program or card reader, only the card that came with the machine. With your help in a previous thread, I've become more educated in what's needed to obtain a new machine and as such have had to backtrack on the paperwork to satisfy both the DME and Sunlife Insurance. In the meantime, I'm using that time to try to get a better nights sleep in both my present machine/mask and make a more informed decision on what will work best for me when getting new equipment.

[OkyDoky]

I find it difficult to find a comfortable nasal mask that will accommodate pressures between 15-17 and so far the Swift FX (despite it's faults) has been the best so far in keeping the leakage under control and attempting to be comfortable enough to not only fall asleep but remain asleep. The major downfall is the blow out as if it were a relief valve that's constant. I hesitate in purchasing a different mask as I own it after purchase, but based on positive review I think the P10 seems like a good replacement. Based on the AHI of 6.8 and that being mild apnea (correct me if I'm wrong), would that be enough to wake me, compared to 85.7 without the machine which is what I dealt with before being diagnosed.

Does the P10 blow much less air than the FX?

Glad a new machine is in the works. The P10 works well with my bilevel pressures of 11/15 and I know some are using it with higher pressures. I used the Swift FX briefly and by blow I assume you are talking about the vent, you will notice alot of difference. You have to get your hand pretty close to feel it. The only draw back on the P10 is the limited adjustment of the headgear but that is also a plus for it in that the mask is light and easy to put on even in the dark once you find the raised wording on the pillow. I just leave both straps back and it works for me.
An AHI of 6.8 still means you brain is awakened. whether you are aware of it or not, almost 7 times an hour.

[dvejr]

MyDream: while you might be urinating frequently even without apnea - perhaps you have an enlarged prostate - I've read that apnea can cause increased urine production. This has something to do with kidneys reacting to low oxygen levels. (Of course, any one of us can have multiple maladies. I have OSA and BEPH ) The first few years of my CPAP treatment, I ceased going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I drink a lot more water now, because everyone says we should, so I'm back to my old habits....

[palerider]

MyDream: while you might be urinating frequently even without apnea - perhaps you have an enlarged prostate - I've read that apnea can cause increased urine production. This has something to do with kidneys reacting to low oxygen levels.

kidneys reacting to blood pressure spikes, not oxygen levels.

[My_Dream]

OkyDoky
I wish the insurance would cover a AirCurve 10 VAuto BiLevel, but here in Canada, I believe they're around $3300.00 of which our healthcare covers $685. and insurance would cover $1500.-$2000.00 of the rest. In Reality, I'm trying for the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet™ with HumidAir, which if percribed by the specialist, should be covered 100%. I should know in about 20 days. Yes, I was referring to the air coming from the front of the nasal pillows. I researched the P10 and do like the elastic straps, although I didn't see any adjustment, I'll assume it's a "one size fits all"?

dvejr
I agree in that I may have an enlarged prostate, but with the help of medication I've reduced the frequency down to 2-3 timers per night, I don't know how to reduce that amount other then drink less water before bed, but then I fell dehydrated which prevents me from falling asleep easily. I don't know what changes I can make to my settings to help reduce the amount of pee trips.

palerider
Thanks for that bit of info, last I checked my blood pressure was 140 over 95 with the help of meds.


Any suggestions on how to lower my AHI results, my only thought would be to increase pressure up to 16.6, but that makes it a bit more uncomfortable and may raise my leakage rate.

[OkyDoky]

I researched the P10 and do like the elastic straps, although I didn't see any adjustment, I'll assume it's a "one size fits all"?

There is some adjustment by separating the 2 bands in the back. With the top one higher on your head it is supposed to decrease tension but I couldn't keep that band up on my head and just use both together at the back of my head. They will stretch and at some point stretch out but you can wash it in warm water and then let it dry to help regain the tension for a while. I've used mine for 1 1/2 years now and it is starting to get loose but my PadaCheek side wraps help to hold it in place and my leaks are not bad yet so it is still going.

[palerider]

palerider
Thanks for that bit of info, last I checked my blood pressure was 140 over 95 with the help of meds.

blood pressure is a dynamic thing, your bp while standing/sleeping/walking/running will all be different.

and it spikes when you have an apnea event.

as to drinking more water... drink when you're thirsty.

[My_Dream]

I've used mine for 1 1/2 years now and it is starting to get loose but my PadaCheek side wraps help to hold it in place and my leaks are not bad yet so it is still going.

I'd never heard of "PadaCheek", I'll have to do a search. Thanks OkyDoky.

blood pressure is a dynamic thing, your bp while standing/sleeping/walking/running will all be different.

and it spikes when you have an apnea event.

as to drinking more water... drink when you're thirsty.

I went from drinking Coke for all my life to now drinking water, (took some time to get use to it) and yes I only drink when I'm thirsty, which equates to about 6 glasses of water per day. I try not to drink after 6:00pm and just have a small sip before bed as I'm still thirsty at that point.
Thanks palerider.