Snoring with my ASV

[Ladyflower]

It's been a while since I've been around. I've been using my ASV for almost 10 years now and it's been going mostly smoothly. I've been using the same type of mask the entire time - the Airfit p10 nasal pillow. Over the years I've bought a couple other masks to try (nasal and full face) because there are times when I'm congested the nasal pillow just doesn't work. But, I've always went back to it. Lately within the last month I've begun waking up with those tell-tale headaches. And my husband said I've been snoring a lot lately. So, I broke out the full face mask last night. I didn't sleep well I think mainly because I'm not used to the full face - air blowing on my face, itches that I can't scratch, and just rolling over with this big thing on my head. At one point I woke up because my husband was shaking me to wake up and he said I was snoring really bad. Should I still be snoring with the full face mask?? As far as I can tell my machine is still working fine.

[Pugsy]

If snoring is still occurring then the pressure settings probably need adjustment....usually EPAP needs an increase.
Impossible to know for sure without seeing the detailed data.

Snoring is one of the warning signs that the airway is at least trying to collapse and without seeing the detailed data we don't know if the collapse is just trying to happen or is happening.

Gained any weight lately? What is your age? Menopause maybe a factor?

Our bodies change and pressures that worked 10 years ago might not be working so great now.

[Ladyflower]

I am 44 so yea, menopause could be in my not so distant future. And yes, I have gained weight over the years, nothing sudden. I thought that an ASV machine automatically adjusted itself. Do they have a range limit that I maybe need to adjust?

[Pugsy]

I thought that an ASV machine automatically adjusted itself. Do they have a range limit that I maybe need to adjust?

ASV machines can auto adjust depending on the model being used as well as the mode of operation and the setting parameters.

The machine you are using...the S9 Adapt has 2 models available. The older model doesn't auto adjust the EPAP....it just auto adjusts the IPAP via the PS settings. The newer Adapt model has 2 modes of operation available...the fixed EPAP mode like the older Adapt plus it has a mode of operation where the EPAP will auto adjust.

And even if it can auto adjust we don't know what the settings actually are...like is it very limited in its ability to auto adjust or is it wide open.

We can't really offer any concrete ideas without knowing exactly which model you are using and which mode and finally all the settings available.

Finally why were given the Adapt in the first place? What was your original diagnosis?

[Ladyflower]

I'm assuming since my machine is 10 years old that it's the older model. I didn't even think about it until now that my paperwork (which I kept in my machine bag) probably says exactly which model it is. I looked at my sleep study, but didn't even think of looking at the machine paperwork. I'll have to look at that later when I'm home. My husband is already threatening to make me go back to the doctor without letting me try to fix it on my own because my snoring is waking him up. I tried the full face mask 2 nights and seemed to make no difference so I'm going back to my nasal pillow mask.


I did take a pic of my study, but I don't know how to upload the pic. So, I think these are the important parts below:

CPAP/BI-LEVEL TREATMENT: CPAP was tried and failed due to Central Sleep Apnea. The patient was titrated at pressures ranging from 5 cmH20 up to 18.0/9.0 cmH2O. Bi-Level was tried, yet failed due to the patients sensitivity exhaling against the pressure of 18.0/9cm H2O. BILEVEL was titrated up to 18.0/9.0 cm of H2O.

SLEEP ARCHITECTURE: The total recording time of the study was 372.5 minutes. The total sleep time was 295.5 minutes. The patient spent 8.0% of total sleep time in Stage N1. 61.6% in Stage N2, 25% in Stages N3 and 4.9% in REM. Sleep latency was 7.9 minutes. REM latency was 88.5 minutes. Sleep Efficiency was 79.3%. Total wake time was 77.5 minutes for a total wake percentage of 16.6%.

RESPIRATORY EVENTS: Optimal pressure 18.0/9.0 cm/H2O revealed an Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 30.3 events per hour. The Polysomnogram revealed a presence of 23 obstructive, 54 central, and 2 mixed apneas resulting in an Apnea index of 16.0 events per hour. There were 70 hypopneas resulting in a Hypopnea index of 14.2 events per hour. The combined Apnea/Hypopnea (Respiratory Disturbance) index was 30.3 events per hour.

Diagnosis: Central Sleep Apnea

[Pugsy]

Does your machine have a SD card in the slot? If you don't have one...get one and insert it and lets see what the machine is reporting. The card must be in your Adapt when in use to get that detailed data. If you just insert the SD card (if brand new)
There is free software that can be used to see what the machine is reporting but don't go using it until you know if you need to lock/write protect that SD card when you put it in your computer. The S9 models have a little quirk that has to be dealt with in terms of SD cards.

OSCAR will work with your machine.

Optimal pressure 18.0/9.0 cm/H2O revealed an Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 30.3 events per hour.

Is this what they set your machine to?
They are calling this "optimal"....the best they could do was get the AHI down to 30???? Pretty sad IMHO.