Graphs for review

[Pugsy]

Your times are off because there is a clock on the cpap machine itself that is set to the wrong time.
You can change it and make it correct.
Explained in the manual....do you have the provider manual?
If not, here it is.
https://www.respshop.com/manuals/ResMed ... %20her.pdf

[DreamDiver]

My AHI is quite variable, is that normal? It can be under 1 or 2/3, the other day it was 4 but I was trying a full face mask at the start and it was awful.

Yes. You might have had a six pack of beer one night and abstained the next, or some piece of pie might have disagreed with you. Or you ate right before bed. When and how much you exercise can vary what your AHI looks like. So can stress and sleeping position. Even environmental considerations may have an effect.

It's one of the reasons that, when we're down around 2.0 for AHI, we start making really small changes and leaving it for a few days - even a week - to get an average. Remember, for most insurance purposes, anything below 5.0 AHI is considered reasonably well managed sleep apnea. The ideal goal is 0, but for many of us, it hovers between a range. Some nights I still get 1.9. Most nights it's around 0.5. I get an occasional 0.0, maybe 2 times per year.

Remember -- this is just a number, an index that will point you in a direction. What matters most is how well you feel you slept -- your clarity, focus and energy for that day. Down around 2.0 AHI, the index becomes less about the machine. We often start looking closer at sleep hygiene, large leak, meds, etc. We're at the point where the tail can wag the dog. Fewer, smaller, slower moves at low AHI's sometimes yield more useful information.

Chris

[milboltnut]

My AHI is quite variable, is that normal? It can be under 1 or 2/3, the other day it was 4 but I was trying a full face mask at the start and it was awful.

Dude really? LOL you have no CA, 1 OA, 1 H..... relax................ keep doing what your doing. So your face mask was awful... ok so try another set up. And hold on to the mask !

[zonker]

My AHI is quite variable, is that normal? It can be under 1 or 2/3, the other day it was 4 but I was trying a full face mask at the start and it was awful.

as forum member palerider is fond of saying, we don't sleep the same way from night to night, or even from hour to hour in the same night.

this is certainly true for me, though i'm trying to stabilize it.

but that's me and this is your thread.

good luck!

[milboltnut]

and as Pugsy told me arousels/awakings could cause a flag !

[jerryfudd]

My AHI is quite variable, is that normal? It can be under 1 or 2/3, the other day it was 4 but I was trying a full face mask at the start and it was awful.

Dude really? LOL you have no CA, 1 OA, 1 H..... relax................ keep doing what your doing. So your face mask was awful... ok so try another set up. And hold on to the mask !

I use a nasal one usually, they sent me a Fullface one to try, tried a few times and didn't get on with it, i guess it's now a spare just incase.

[milboltnut]

right now I'm deal with nasal congestion, and wish I had a face mask..

[jerryfudd]

I couldn't stop it leaking, even shaved my beard off each time. Last time it just kept using loads more pressure and bulging then leaking, and it felt weird to use my mouth - even though I always used to breathe through my mouth before!

I wanted to try it because of congestion too, I may have to try again sometime to see if it helps.

[jerryfudd]

Struggling today with congestion and what I think is a bit of dyspnea (not feeling like I get a full breath when yawning) - think I will up the humidity tonight....

[DreamDiver]

Struggling today with congestion and what I think is a bit of dyspnea (not feeling like I get a full breath when yawning) - think I will up the humidity tonight....

Increasing the humidity often causes increased congestion in some people. If your congestion gets worse after you've tried increasing humidity, try reducing the humidity instead, even within the same night.

Chris

[jerryfudd]

I had it down to 2 for 2 days now, I could persist, but I think I need to try the other way for a few days.

[Pugsy]

A setting of 2 for humidity is very low. Some people have nasal mucosa that need lots of moisture. I am one of those people...my nasal mucosa would be happiest if I just snorted water.
According to a poll I did a while back...more people used a humidity level on the high side of medium up to maximum than on the lower side.

When the nasal mucosa get too dry (or sometimes for some people too moist) they react like they react when we have an allergy attack.
Histamines are produced and the mucosa swell up and start itching, draining, being congested, etc. Pretty much they mimic a real allergy attack or even the usual cold symptoms. Treat the symptoms just like it was a real allergy attack and try altering the humidity setting in an effort to keep the mucosa feeling nice and normal.

Google "cpap rhinitis"....it's fairly common and why so much of the time cpap machines prescriptions included heated humidity.

[jerryfudd]

Fingers crossed for tonight then!

Do most people use a heated hose? Are they worth the money?

[Pugsy]

I use a heated hose year round. I need the warmer air in the winter to prevent condensation in the hose and/or mask since I keep a rather cold bedroom. It also helps with the fact that the cold air bothers my nose.
In the summer I just turn the hose air temp way down because I don't need the extra warmth in the summer.
I could use a non heated hose I suppose but it is just either to leave the hose alone and change hose air temps as I feel the need.
To me...for the rain out/condensation prevention it's a priceless accessory.

Now if I kept my house at 78 degrees in the winter...I wouldn't need it.

So how much it is worth depends entirely on your own preferences.

[milboltnut]

Fingers crossed for tonight then!

Do most people use a heated hose? Are they worth the money?

you have to have a heated hose (or insulate it) if you have a humidifier, otherwise the humidified water (steam) will condense in the hose due to cooler temp. air on the outside of the hose. Basically the humidified water (steam)... is warmer than the outside ambient air temperature of the hose, cooler air surrounding the warm hose will cause the steam to condense and the term used will cause "rainout" or better condensation... you'll know if it does it.