Central apneas

[LARS52]

I was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea and I have completed slightly over 5 weeks on the CPAP machine; the last 4 weeks of which I have been using the Opus 360 mask and have adjusted quite well to it. Essentially no problems with keeping the mask on all night and no leaks.
The good news: My obstructive apnea index has been averaging essentially zero during the past four weeks. My hypopnea index has averaged less than one and has been close to zero.
The problem has been with the central apneas. Many nights they are averaging about 10 per hour (some nights they are down to 5 or so per hour). And when looking at the graphs of the distribution of the centrals, they are typically clustered in 3 sometimes 4 groups during the night (with no particular repeating pattern from one night to another) with each grouping ranging from 30 to 60 minutes approximately. Consequently, I have not noticed any relief to my exhaustion and fatigue. I still wake each morning feeling very exhausted and drag throughout the day despite sleeping about 8 hours every night and taking at least one nap during the day.
Should I be considering the possibility of using a different machine (currently using Res Med Auto Set S9) or should I just be more patient and hope the centrals fade away? Thanks

[rayfree]

I am new to the Apnea world and this is my first post on this board, but here goes. I have been using an ASV (Auto Servo Ventilator) for approximately 4 months. The reason for the ASV is a diagnoses of Complex Sleep Apnea. When I tried CPAP it worked for the Obstructive Apneas, but the machine induced Central Apneas in me at a rate similar to yours. If I was you, I would talk to the Sleep Doctor about this. It should have shown up in your sleep study, but could have been missed. I hope this helps!

[Julie]

It would be very helpful if you download Sleepyhead software (free) and then download reports to Imgur.com, leaving a link to them in this thread so we can see what's going on overnight. But if you truly have central apnea (vs a handful on going to sleep and another on wakening) then a regular Apap won't help. But before you jump and change machines, see what the software shows because there are other factors to consider as well. Have you talked to your doctor about all this? Did no centrals show up at your study - seems very odd.

Rayfee - your having posted in this thread had me confused in that I was responding to your note before I realized it (when I wanted to answer the OPs note). Maybe you could start your own thread?

[ChicagoGranny]

Rayfee - your having posted in this thread had me confused in that I was responding to your note before I realized it (when I wanted to answer the OPs note). Maybe you could start your own thread?

He should NOT start his own thread. He was replying to LARS52's OP.

[Jay Aitchsee]

He should NOT start his own thread. He was replying to LARS52's OP.

Which certainly seemed appropriate in context and content.

[ChicagoGranny]

Which certainly seemed appropriate in context and content.

Yes. Maybe basic, but still appropriate.

[rayfree]

Sorry for the "basic" post. I have a basic understanding of my condition, but am trying to learn. Question for ChicagoGranny, are you a Sleep Doctor? I missed your reply to the actual question.

[LSAT]

Sorry for the "basic" post. I have a basic understanding of my condition, but am trying to learn. Question for ChicagoGranny, are you a Sleep Doctor? I missed your reply to the actual question.

Hmmm..She must be.....Her answers often put me to sleep.....

[ChicagoGranny]

are you a Sleep Doctor?

I am not a sleep doctor, but I pla ... oh, not that either.

There are no sleep doctors on the forum.

I missed your reply to the actual question.

You did not miss it. I did not reply. If I were to reply, it would say to post a typical night's Sleepyhead detail, and someone could give the OP better advice. That advice might well be to contact his doctor, as you said.

I have a basic understanding of my condition, but am trying to learn.

To learn, yet in your first post you were giving advice.

But, that is OK, many have done it. Welcome, and yes, this is a great place to learn.

[ChicagoGranny]

Hmmm..She must be.....Her answers often put me to sleep.....

$50 copay and see me again in six months.

And stay on your meds!

[rayfree]

I'm out! There are problems that a CPAP can't help with.

[ChicagoGranny]

There are problems that a CPAP can't help with.

Didn't stay long enough to learn that even a fragile ego gets stronger with good CPAP therapy.

[Julie]

Nothing like hijacking someone's questions... he's probably afraid to come back at all. Are you happy now Granny with the attention you got?

[palerider]

Maybe you could start your own thread?

why?

[Julie]

Because LARS came to ask about something he's experiencing, and while Rayfree may have had similar issues, his follow-up turned the OPs post around to somewhere else and then everyone responded to that instead of LARS' note. Or am I missing something (again)"?