Lower than titrated pressure = lower AHI for me

[toddl1962]

First of all my untreated AHI is about 15 and desats down to 85%. My titrated pressure is 7.0 and it took me a good 3 months to adjust fully to the machine (July - Sep). Once I was sleeping rather consistently I began to monitor my data (EncoreViewer) because I didn't feel like I was getting the therapy I should (still rather tired). At my followup appt my doctor didn't bother to read my data but rather just congratulated me on my compliance. I am now determined to manage my own therapy.

Anyhow, I collected several weeks of data at a pressure of 7.0. It yielded an AHI of ~ 3.5; however, I know that my sleep efficiency was probably around 75% at that time so I figure that's really about an AHI of 5.0. I then tried a pressure of 8.0 for 2 weeks. AHI went up to about 3.7. I tried a pressure of 6.5 for 2 weeks and AHI was around 3.0. I then tried a pressure of 6.0 for 2 weeks and my AHI is around 2.5 and sometimes lower. I feel pretty good and my sleep efficiency has improved with further adjustment to the machine.

Here is my question: Could my AHI be better at 6.0 but desats be worse? 6.0 doesn't seem very high so I wonder how therapeutic it is. BTW, I don't use C-flex. Exhalation is not a problem for me at those pressures.

[KatieW]

You've posted your AHI, but how does that break down into AI and HI? If my understanding is correct, desat's would occur with Apneas, rather than the Hypopnea's. So, it's the AI you should be comparing.

Some people have bought a pulse oximeter, to measure their desaturations. I have this one:

http://www.semedicalsupply.com/cms-50e.htm

If you do a search on oximeter, you can read about other models.

[mars]

I feel pretty good and my sleep efficiency has improved with further adjustment to the machine.

Here is my question: Could my AHI be better at 6.0 but desats be worse? 6.0 doesn't seem very high so I wonder how therapeutic it is. BTW, I don't use C-flex. Exhalation is not a problem for me at those pressures.

Hi Toddl1962

If your desats were worse I would think that you would be feeling worse, but you say you feel pretty good at 6.0.

So what you are doing appears to be working - good for you. The experimenting you did paid off.

Getting an oximeter is always a good idea, then you would know for sure what your desaturation situation is.

I reckon you are doing pretty good.

cheers

Mars