Finally got my AHI under control

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
User avatar
LaurieJ31981
Posts: 97
Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 8:02 pm
Location: Worcester, MA
Contact:

Finally got my AHI under control

Post by LaurieJ31981 » Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:50 pm

My AHI has been between 1.5 and 3.0... Strangely enough all I did was change my pillows, and now my numbers are under control. I was ranging between 7-15 for an AHI with my other pillows... For the past few nights my AI has been 0.0. It took awhile but no more complaining from me about my numbers being to high lol.

_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: ~CPAP since 6/4/09- Pressure set at 12.4- Ramp Off- EPR 1~
Original AHI- 113, with 68% Oxygen saturation- That is scary!

User avatar
Muse-Inc
Posts: 4382
Joined: Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:44 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by Muse-Inc » Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:09 pm

Change size or replace pillows?
ResMed S9 range 9.8-17, RespCare Hybrid FFM
Never, never, never, never say never.

User avatar
LaurieJ31981
Posts: 97
Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 8:02 pm
Location: Worcester, MA
Contact:

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by LaurieJ31981 » Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:09 pm

My pillows were squishy, and soft... which kept my head lower... so I used my sisters for a night, hers are more firm... and woke up with my AHI at 1.0... so I stole the pillows and have had nothing over 3.0 since... I struggled for almost 3 months with high AHI numbers... and it was due to the elevation of my head I think. I can even sleep on my back now with the pillows I am now using and it doesn't make my Apneas go up... with my squishy pillows my apneas went way up if I ended up on my back... It's been nice... although even with low AHI numbers I can't say I wake up any less tired... but I can make it through the day without wanting to fall asleep... a lot of changes in 3 months... including my blood pressure which went to 147 over 97 to now 125 over 81... I am excited

_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: ~CPAP since 6/4/09- Pressure set at 12.4- Ramp Off- EPR 1~
Original AHI- 113, with 68% Oxygen saturation- That is scary!

User avatar
Muse-Inc
Posts: 4382
Joined: Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:44 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by Muse-Inc » Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:17 pm

Easy to know we have apnea: you wrote pillows, I noted your mask, thought nasal pillows immediately not bed pillows

I sleep on layered bed pillows 'cause I have such awful congestion-allergy issues and now that I side sleep top avoid more events, it's a challenge to find a sweet spot that doesn't make me wake too stiff & sore to move .
ResMed S9 range 9.8-17, RespCare Hybrid FFM
Never, never, never, never say never.

dkdc

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by dkdc » Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:38 pm

Interesting - first I ever read about pillows being the cause of AHI problems

I had a 3.0 AHI at 8cm in the sleep study - first time ever using a cpap and mask

At home I haven't ever gotten less than 10 AHI at 8 cm or now at 10cm - with very soft mattress topper and thick soft pillow

I will have to try sleeping without the pillow again tonight

Been lurking for a month - will sign up soon

User avatar
dkdc
Posts: 83
Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:47 pm

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by dkdc » Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:49 pm

now registered
Masks tried: Mirage Activa Nasal, Comfort Gel Nasal, Full Life, Fit Life

User avatar
Muse-Inc
Posts: 4382
Joined: Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:44 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by Muse-Inc » Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:57 pm

dkdc wrote:now registered
Welcome abroad...maybe that should be welcome to living outside the closet & no longer lurking?
ResMed S9 range 9.8-17, RespCare Hybrid FFM
Never, never, never, never say never.

User avatar
twokatmew
Posts: 606
Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:06 pm
Location: Mid-Michigan, US

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by twokatmew » Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:49 pm

Muse-Inc wrote:Easy to know we have apnea: you wrote pillows, I noted your mask, thought nasal pillows immediately not bed pillows
Me too, Muse!!

I wish changing my (bed) pillow would help my AHI, but it hasn't made a difference.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: CPAP 6/5/2009, Rx: 11-16, OSCAR

User avatar
LaurieJ31981
Posts: 97
Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 8:02 pm
Location: Worcester, MA
Contact:

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by LaurieJ31981 » Tue Sep 01, 2009 5:01 am

I didn't think pillows would make a difference, but even last night my AHI was 2.5... I have to say it's gotta be the pillows lol. I use 2, one thinner pillow, and 1 bigger but firm pillow... try something like that and see if your AHI's go down at all...

_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: ~CPAP since 6/4/09- Pressure set at 12.4- Ramp Off- EPR 1~
Original AHI- 113, with 68% Oxygen saturation- That is scary!

MGoBlue
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:55 am
Location: Michigan

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by MGoBlue » Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:59 am

LaurieJ31981 wrote:I didn't think pillows would make a difference, but even last night my AHI was 2.5... I have to say it's gotta be the pillows lol. I use 2, one thinner pillow, and 1 bigger but firm pillow... try something like that and see if your AHI's go down at all...
Thanks for posting this. I will give it a try.

_________________
Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Additional Software: Encore Pro, Encore Pro Analyzer

karessamom
Posts: 259
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Utah

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by karessamom » Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:12 am

twokatmew wrote:
Muse-Inc wrote:Easy to know we have apnea: you wrote pillows, I noted your mask, thought nasal pillows immediately not bed pillows
Me too, Muse!!

I wish changing my (bed) pillow would help my AHI, but it hasn't made a difference.
I guess i wasn't the only one who immediately thought of that too

_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: back up mask--Ultra Mirage FF, Husband Resmed AUTOset8 w/H3i Heated Humidifier and ComfortGel FF mask

User avatar
robertmarilyn
Posts: 523
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 7:38 pm

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by robertmarilyn » Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:55 am

LaurieJ31981 wrote:My pillows were squishy, and soft... which kept my head lower... so I used my sisters for a night, hers are more firm... and woke up with my AHI at 1.0... so I stole the pillows and have had nothing over 3.0 since... I struggled for almost 3 months with high AHI numbers... and it was due to the elevation of my head I think. I can even sleep on my back now with the pillows I am now using and it doesn't make my Apneas go up... with my squishy pillows my apneas went way up if I ended up on my back... It's been nice... although even with low AHI numbers I can't say I wake up any less tired... but I can make it through the day without wanting to fall asleep... a lot of changes in 3 months... including my blood pressure which went to 147 over 97 to now 125 over 81... I am excited

I thought you meant you stole your sister's nasal pillows. I was a little confused at first, like some of the others. Afterall, there are the threads about the Swift nasal pillows being 'squishier'.


mar

User avatar
Roberta
Posts: 19
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:34 am
Location: Hayward, CA

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by Roberta » Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:25 am

Does anyone know if "CPAP" bed pillows help AHI? Dr. Just took me off flex yesterday because computer never seemed to reach high of 11. I'm anxious to see if that helps because my AHI has been running in the 7-8 range. I'm using a contour and I try to sleep on the edge.

User avatar
Kiralynx
Posts: 2426
Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:42 am

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by Kiralynx » Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:49 am

Roberta wrote:Does anyone know if "CPAP" bed pillows help AHI? Dr. Just took me off flex yesterday because computer never seemed to reach high of 11. I'm anxious to see if that helps because my AHI has been running in the 7-8 range. I'm using a contour and I try to sleep on the edge.
Haven't actually ever tried the CPAP pillows. I found "side sleeper" pillows at Bed, Bath and Beyond. I use one king-size, with one regular centered on top of it. That gives me "edges" on either side.

AHI running .6-1.0 and leak rate around 20-21 on the Headrest, with a phenomenally flat line.

_________________
Mask: TAP PAP Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Improved Stability Mouthpiece
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead software, not listed. Currently using Dreamstation ASV, not listed
-- Kiralynx
Beastie, 2008-10-28. NEW Beastie, PRS1 960, 2014-05-14. NEWER Beastie, Dream Station ASV, 2017-10-17. PadaCheek Hosecover. Homemade Brandy Keg Chin Support. TapPap Mask.
Min PS = 4, Max PS = 8
Epap Range = 6 - 7.5

User avatar
SleepyT
Posts: 775
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:50 am

Re: Finally got my AHI under control

Post by SleepyT » Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:12 pm

LaurieBug...congrats on your good numbers! I know you must be thrilled to finally see the results you've wanted. Pugsy has said over and over that CPAP is only one aspect of a good night's sleep. So many other factors affect us as well. Glad you figured out something that is working for you!

T.
"Knowledge is power."