Periodic Breathing

[me54321]

I have a repironix system1 aflex and a quattro mask.
My data for the last 10 days reports periodic breathing of 3.3%.
Is this something to be worried about?

[Moby]

Sorry, I've no idea.

This is to bump up your post.

[snnnark]

Can u give us more info?

For example, is this a new trend?
How long have you been on CPAP?
Do you have any heart problems?
What pressure is your machine set to?

For some people a few weeks of Periodic Breathing happens when CPAP is first started. It goes away once the body acclimatizes to the therapy.

[seeker of good sleep]

Been on CPAP for 20 years. Only started to find out about CPAP data definitions about 6 months ago when my Sleep deteriorated. Transioned from Nasal to FF Mask 4 months ago. Pressure 11 - 15 cm.
Sleep study said 12 was correct pressure. Pressure has always been set to around 12 cm. CPAP data shows vibratory snore 5.3. AHI 5.1. Leak Rate average 42. No heart problems. Not a new trend. I am not sure what the baseline leak rate is for the quattro mask.
thanks for the questions.

[Starone]

I would also like to know what Period Breathing is and what casues it and how to prevent it.
My bipap has the option...While mine is 0% i would still like to know.

Bump

[Starone]

this thread has a lot of views..i guess no one knows what it is...

[slaaplekker]

I would also like to know what Period Breathing is and what casues it and how to prevent it.
My bipap has the option...While mine is 0% i would still like to know.

Bump

Easy enough to look this stuff, since a simple search on the web provides the definition.
http://www.altitude.org/sleep_at_high_altitude.php

[slaaplekker]

I have a repironix system1 aflex and a quattro mask.
My data for the last 10 days reports periodic breathing of 3.3%.
Is this something to be worried about?

Maybe - but it does occur in normal sleepers and quite often in newborns.

If you are worried at all a recording Oximeter is a handy tool since that will tell you what you O2 levels are doing, if they maintain at normal levels then I wouldn't worry about.

[seeker of good sleep]

where does one get a recording oximeter? Any idea how much they cost?

[stevealive]

The definition in the link is above is a pretty good one, but it isn't only associated with high altitude climbing. It has to do with the brains mechanism for sensing CO2 levels in the blood, and deciding whether it needs to breathe in other to throw off excess CO2 . Sometimes a cyclical pattern starts where the brain thinks it should breathe lightly because there is little CO2 in the blood, which then creates a high CO2 situation in the blood where it breathes heavily to try to get rid of it. The cycle then repeats itself, and often central apnea events occur as part of the pattern. There's a lot more info available if you search on Cheyne-Stokes Respiration, which is a particular pattern of periodic breathing. I run at 25% to 40% a night in PB, but I think that is because my doctors haven't yet worked through the treatment options to get a handle on this. The time in periodic breathing also is when I have most of my central apnea and obstructive events. If I got down to 3.3% I'd be thrilled. Checking your oxygen levels is a good suggestion. In my case, I've found that my levels are mostly above 90% which is good, but my sleep is still fragmented by AHI about 15. At 3.3% I don't know if you have too much to worry about if your AHI is low. I learned about all this by reading posts and referred articles from this forum, so you can study up and increase your understanding if you want to.

[seeker of good sleep]

Thanks, Stevealive. Very inciteful!

[slaaplekker]

where does one get a recording oximeter? Any idea how much they cost?

Bought mine for about $100. There someone who participates here who sells them and many have purchased from him.

http://www.coopermedicalsupplies.com/

I bought mine somewhere else but would buy from him if I needed a new one. You can search the forums here lots of good recommendations from those who have purchased from him.

good luck
John

[JohnBFisher]

Periodic Breathing can be associated with higher altitudes (lower oxygen levels). However, it can also be connected with congestive heart failure. Remember that it is known the "cardio-respiratory system". They are fairly closely interconnected.

Some periodic breathing is perfectly normal in a healthy adult. At 3.3%, I doubt it is a major issue. If it were above the 10% mark, I would start to talk with a doctor about it.

You can read a LOT more about periodic breathing by searching Google. Here is one example:

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art ... ekey=10902

Periodic breathing: Clusters of breaths separated by intervals of apnea (no breathing) or near-apnea. As opposed to normal breathing which is usually regular.

Periodic breathing was originally thought to arise from serious neurologic or cardiovascular disease and therefore to carry a poor outlook. It is now known that periodic breathing tends to occur during sleep, it can occur in healthy persons, and the apnea in periodic breathing is usually central (without respiratory movements) rather than obstructive (caused by upper-airway blockage).

Periodic breathing during sleep occurs typically in patients with congestive heart failure.

[pulseoxstore]

Hey Stevealive, I saw your post and remembered reading about the new BiPAP Auto ST Advanced being designed to treat periodic breathing. May be something to talk to your doc about. Its a big upcharge for your insurance company to cover, but if you are spending that much time in periodic breathing, I would think that it would justify that.
http://bipapautosvadvanced.respironics.com/

[mreewh]

I've notice lately that my fiance is experiencing periodic breathing in his sleep. He doesn't seem to have any apnea - either obstructive or central - just cycling between very heavy to very light breathing. Since I have a fingertip pulseox I've checked him periodically (when I can see it happening) and also overnight, and he doesn't seem to have any significant desats.

When I talked to him about it, he said he's also conscious of having this breathing pattern when awake.

We live at 7200 feet elevation.

He has a very complicated neurological history, with multiple diagnosed concussions and other head trauma with loss of consciousness since childhood. In 2000, he had another TBI, which set off near constant migraines. In 2004, he took a triptan migraine med, inappropriately, and had an ischemic pontine stroke. At age 33.

He's currently effectively disabled, with an active disability case on appeal. He does have medical coverage through a state program in the interim, but benefits are limited. So I'm not sure what coverage he may have for a sleep study or CPAP.

He currently experiences significant fatigue, chronic pain, memory problems, etc. Of course, what's chicken and what's egg is probably unknowable.

Despite my own journey through OSA diagnosis and CPAP treatment, I don't really know much about periodic breathing and potential treatment via xpap or ASV. Should I push for a sleep study, or will it tell me enough, above what I can already observe, to be worthwhile if it's not covered by his insurance?