Zero AHI acheived.

Flying_Norseman · Post by **Flying_Norseman** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:17 pm

Well after about 10 months I finally had a night of zero AHI. Thank you to all the great folks here that helped me out. The next night my AHI was 0.1 so I am on a roll.

Billmanweh · Post by **Billmanweh** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:48 pm

Wow. Do you mind briefly saying how you went about getting there?

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:22 am

You have worked to achieve it & obviously deserve it

It is a nice feeling to know you can achieve a zero - haven't quite done it myself but maybe one day

Good going

DSM

deerslayer · Post by **deerslayer** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:01 am

Billmanweh wrote:Wow. Do you mind briefly saying how you went about getting there?

yea share the wealth please ! Congrats are in order *

sleepydoll · Post by **sleepydoll** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:08 am

Great!
You have reached the " Nirvana" we all want to attain!
If I weren't so happy for you, I actually could be slightly jelous!

wishing you many happy returns
D.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:11 am

Congratulations!
Diligence and determination pays off.

Den

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:56 am

Billmanweh wrote:Wow. Do you mind briefly saying how you went about getting there?

My best guess (and based on my own experience) is that he found the right mask to use with the right machine blower settings.

Flying_Norseman · Post by **Flying_Norseman** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:39 pm

Dreamstalker is mostly right. The new mask (Swift LT) works great for me. I have gone through many, many masks over those months. The most useful tool has been the software to read my data card. Without that, I would have never been able to even know what my AHI was, let alone get it down to zero.

So if you don't have a machine that is data capable, go to your sleep doctor and make him get you one. You are shooting in the dark without it. In my case, I wear a Tiara Topaz chinstrap, have the humidifier set at 0 and use the Swift LT. I am using auto set to a range of 10 to 14. I was initially titrated at 10, but that isn't always enough. It fluctuates from 10 to 12 normally. Now that I have lost 20 lbs it is staying near 10 most of the time. Who knows, maybe in a few months I can get down to a weight where I don't need CPAP at all.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:57 pm

FN - didn't you end up buying an NAII? I remember you had issues with its venting. If you want to offload it, PM me at "Babette". I can always use parts for the Test Drive.

I'm really cheered to hear this about the Swift LT. I've been tempted by it... I know, I know... Haven't bought it YET, but you're tempting me...

How's the venting scenario with your FIANCEE? (Like how I worked that into the conversation?)

Could be I need to start taking such things into consideration in the not too distant future...

LOL,
Babs

WearyOne · Post by **WearyOne** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:28 pm

Congratulations! I've managed to do that a few times myself and it feels great to see those numbers. I know it feels good to see good results from all the hard work and frustration.

Sometimes when I get a roll with great numbers, it makes me feel like I don't have much of a problem and I make the mistake of taking a nap without the mask (subject of several threads here). And after the horrible time I have (waking up with racing heart, etc.) I'm jolted back to reality.

Keep up the good work!

Pam

deglorious · Post by **deglorious** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:29 am

Soooo, how does it feel? Norseman, congratulations on the zero and the 20 lbs. too!

Deglorious

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:33 am

Flying_Norseman,

Do you feel a difference in how you feel with a zero or near zero ahi?

Captain_Midnight · Post by **Captain_Midnight** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:11 am

Flying N

Well done sir!

It's happened to me (a zero AHI) about 3 times in the last 6 months. I can't tell the difference between zero and 0.1 or 0.2.

I can say that I felt measurably better at zero than, say at 1.0. (Which is the why arbitrary and artificial divisor between normal and mild OSA at AHI=5 is simply too high.)

I like your approach, and suspect that the weight loss is a big contributer (along with assiduously applied compliance.)

Carry on! Success such as yours are helpful to all who wear the contraption and wonder if things can ever improve.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:42 pm

Although I agree that an AHI of 5 seems arbitrary, it is I'm sure based on some statistical criteria -- most likely on snoring and to a lesser degree on daytime sleepiness. My guess is however that even daytime sleepiness would still have to be a somewhat subjective measure.

I myself can indeed feel the difference between AHI of 1.0 and 0.1 ... and that is even considering the fact that my untreated Dx AHI was 102 of which 99 were obstructive and 3 were hypopneas. It would seem that for me, even an AHI of 5 would make me feel like a million bucks ... and it doesn't.

As has previously been discussed on this forum, duration in apnea is probably more important than AHI or AI or HI measures. After all, if you have one apnea during the entire night and it lasts more than about 4 or 5 minutes, it will likely not matter that you died with an AHI of 0.1 right?

Basically how AHI affects you is different for each individual. I still prefer to shoot for the lowest possible number and that is zero. I had 4 nights of zero AHI this week and the highest value was 0.2. I too think it has to do with finding the perfect mask for me. I think ResMed must have used someone with my facial features and sleep style to design the Swift LT because I'm pretty sure I won't find a better mask interface ... lucky me.

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 1:04 pm

I'm jealous of you guys. My AHIthis morning was 2.4. .1 was AI and 2.3 was HI (I have a REsmed machine). My leak rate was .04. I haven't had any leaks register on my machine until the last few weeks. They are fairly low like last night's.

I still don't feel like a million bucks. The only time I did was when my total AHI was down to .1, and that has happened only twice.

I still feel lethargic most days. My pulmonogist had thyroid tests done. Plus I am scheduled to take home a wrist device which will measure my oxygen levels while I am sleeping with my equipment. Then he will reassess my situation. I'm afraid he will only want to prescribe me a drug. I want to achieve better therapy to make myself feel better. I already take Advair for asthma, ibuprofen for neck arthritis, and allergy medications daily. I don't need another drug.

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: straight cpap 12.20 AHI avg.0.79