Correlation between VS and high pressure?

[Methos1979]

Okay, so I've got my software and card reader and I've started down the road to taking a an active role in my therapy after 8 years of just being along for the ride. I must admit, I'm having fun with it. Who knew? Anyhow, I digress. My initial readings have my AHI way down low, less than 1. So that is good obviously. I'm having a problem with high pressure in APAP, high leaks and off-the-chart high vibratory snore. While researching VS here I saw someone make a vague reference to the hose rubbing against something causing the machine to interpret this as VS. I run my hose up over the top of my headboard and I flop a lot at night. So this is definitely the case for me. Is this rubbing action causing the high VS values which in turn is making the machine stay at high pressure which in turn is causing the high leak values? My VS scores are sometimes 400 to 600. And I don't snore at all, never have. It was never one of my symptoms which is part of the reason it took them so long to diagnose me with OSA. When I run my machine in straight CPAP mode at 10 (my most recently titrated pressure) I don't have the leak problems but I still have the high VS. Thoughts?

[dsm]

Okay, so I've got my software and card reader and I've started down the road to taking a an active role in my therapy after 8 years of just being along for the ride. I must admit, I'm having fun with it. Who knew? Anyhow, I digress. My initial readings have my AHI way down low, less than 1. So that is good obviously. I'm having a problem with high pressure in APAP, high leaks and off-the-chart high vibratory snore. While researching VS here I saw someone make a vague reference to the hose rubbing against something causing the machine to interpret this as VS. I run my hose up over the top of my headboard and I flop a lot at night. So this is definitely the case for me. Is this rubbing action causing the high VS values which in turn is making the machine stay at high pressure which in turn is causing the high leak values? My VS scores are sometimes 400 to 600. And I don't snore at all, never have. It was never one of my symptoms which is part of the reason it took them so long to diagnose me with OSA. When I run my machine in straight CPAP mode at 10 (my most recently titrated pressure) I don't have the leak problems but I still have the high VS. Thoughts?

Methos1979

An interesting question. "Is a hose rubbing on the headboard of the bed going to cause a high VS value" ?

I really don't know for sure as I would have thought that the newer AUTO machines would be using pressure transducers to detect the snore vibrations (air pressure fluctuations) rather than sonic transducers (microphones detecting sound).

The earlier AUTO cpaps did use microphones. Even if the hose rubbing could cause high VS, I do agree that if the machine keeps going to high pressure that that would contribute to higher leaks. Am going through a bit of that myself at the moment.

Does your partner notice you snoring in the night ?

Good luck

DSM

[YawnGirl]

I have the same machine as you with my low range being 10, high 15 and my vs is 4.0. Try repositioning your hose. I use a "Command" hooks and thin elastic headbands looped around my hose on the side of my headboard. It would be a cheap way (under $10) to test your theory. I have a cozy on my hose also, I think that helps. (You can use a fleece scarf and rubber bands for that). Good luck.

[Methos1979]

No, I do not snore - ever! That was a road block to my diagnosis some 8 years ago. The doctors kept asking me if I snored and I told them no, I didn't. My wife says she has never heard me snore. So everyone dismissed OSA. Finally, when all else had failed diagnosis-wise, they put me in for a sleep test and sure as heck, I had it pretty bad.

I'm going to try a different position tonight with the hose and see if my VS values decrease significantly. And if so, if there is a significant decrease in pressure as well. Despite the issues last night, and the less time slept (5 hours vs. the usual 8 I get), I feel very refreshed today so I'm loathe to change any settings just yet. Besides, this is fun. Is that weird, that I'm enjoying this so much?

[dsm]

No, I do not snore - ever! That was a road block to my diagnosis some 8 years ago. The doctors kept asking me if I snored and I told them no, I didn't. My wife says she has never heard me snore. So everyone dismissed OSA. Finally, when all else had failed diagnosis-wise, they put me in for a sleep test and sure as heck, I had it pretty bad.

I'm going to try a different position tonight with the hose and see if my VS values decrease significantly. And if so, if there is a significant decrease in pressure as well. Despite the issues last night, and the less time slept (5 hours vs. the usual 8 I get), I feel very refreshed today so I'm loathe to change any settings just yet. Besides, this is fun. Is that weird, that I'm enjoying this so much?

Methos1979

That then supports the possibility that the hose noise may be triggering the higher pressures.

The next obvious question is the sleeping position and you are already experimenting re that so are on the right path.

Good luck

DSM

[GumbyCT]

No, I do not snore - ever!

Even if you did - I don't think snores will drive up your pressure. But leaks will. Can you post one of your daily graphs?

[Gerryk]

Try to find a way to see if the hose can be routed or held up so it can not touch anything to make that noise. I have a cheaper travel hose lifter that I use that you could modify so the hose can't move. The hose lifter is around 20 bucks. What about some type of hose cover? I have one for mine that isn't fleece and it won't allow the ribbed part of the hose to make that type of noise. My hose cover is a Resmed tube wrap and it has a zipper for easy installation. I have only seen it sold at once place so far and it is 14 bucks. The hose lifter is also sold there for 17 but they also sell the hose lifter on cpap.com.

Gerry