Why Am I having late apneas?

[Eureka]

I have been lax in keeping up to date on my sleep apnea. Recently returned to following it, and wonder why I am having apneas shortly before arising. Three nights ago I had an AHI 3.0; 1.8 A, 1.1 H, but was relatively free of events until after 7 hours sleep and then had several apneas. Two nights ago it was 2.3 A, 0.4 H (2.7 AHI) and again was relatively free of apneas until after 8 hours of sleep. Last night the same: 2.7 A, 0.9 H (3.5 AHI) and nearly all were after 7 hours sleep, especially after 8 hours. I usually sleep about 9 hours. Apap at 10-15. Any suggestions?

[LSAT]

It is not uncommon to have CA's as you fall asleep and just before waking. (Clear airway apneas)

[Wulfman...]

I have been lax in keeping up to date on my sleep apnea. Recently returned to following it, and wonder why I am having apneas shortly before arising. Three nights ago I had an AHI 3.0; 1.8 A, 1.1 H, but was relatively free of events until after 7 hours sleep and then had several apneas. Two nights ago it was 2.3 A, 0.4 H (2.7 AHI) and again was relatively free of apneas until after 8 hours of sleep. Last night the same: 2.7 A, 0.9 H (3.5 AHI) and nearly all were after 7 hours sleep, especially after 8 hours. I usually sleep about 9 hours. Apap at 10-15. Any suggestions?

When you look at your reports, do you see any pattern to what your pressure is doing when you're having those increases in apneas?
Are there any preceding events (snores or flow limitations) to the apneas or are they "frank" (out of nowhere, with no preceding events)?

It's common to have increased REM stage sleep at those times. That could account for some of the increased events.


Den

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[Pugsy]

Like Den says...maybe REM stage sleep events. It's common to have more events in REM sleep or even sometimes need more pressure during REM. Also, it is more common to have more frequent and longer REM stages in the wee hours of the morning.
Same thing can be said about supine sleeping. Maybe on your back more in the wee hours of the morning??

You are using a M series machine??
Whatever the cause...most likely a little more minimum pressure is needed to better prevent those events.
Probably just 0.5 cm more.

[Wulfman...]

Also, do a Google search on "sleep paralysis" and read some of the links. It seems to happen more during REM. I'm not sure how much it affects breathing patterns, but it might be worth reading.


Den

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[Eureka]

I'll take a look at my charts. I'm using Encore 1.1. And yes -- an "M" machine. I have hopes of getting an S9 soon. Will that help?
The three nights I listed have a 90% of 12, 13, 11. It has hit the 15 top limit some, so I am wondering about moving that up a notch. The M machine only increases by .5, so I will increase the lower number to 10:5. By far the largest amount of time is spent at 10.

[Eureka]

Improvement!!! I increased the lower pressure from 10 to 10.5. I increased the upper pressure from 15 to 16. My results last night were better -- AHI of 1.0 (A- 0.7, H- 0.3) My 90% was 12.0 The pressure didn't go above 13, and then for only 1.7 minutes. Largest part of the night was at 11.0 So-- thanks for the advice. It appears increasing the lower pressure by only .5 helped. Thanks for the advice.