Central vs Obstructive & thoughts

[MNKNIGHT]

Hi All-
I'm on day 59 on therapy (Auto CPAP Dreamstation).
Looking at my data I'm realizing that the Central Apneas are not resolving (kind of assuming those are the truly ugly ones).
The other thing i noticed in the detailed minute by minute report is some periodic breathing - usually 2 instances - but I have not looked at enough data to see if this is happening every nite
I've heard BPAP may help with Central Apneas (maybe it is too early to tell - will talk to my sleep doc about it) ...are there any other thoughts on this. Below is my last 14 days of data/stats.
I've noticed a difference between the LED screen and the Encore Pro software once the data is loaded in.
Appreciate any feedback
Thanks

Day Date AHI TCA TOA TH Tevents usage MinPre Max Pres 90% pres Avgpre
47 12/21 2.9 3 10 8 21 7.19 10 20 12 ---
48 12/22 8.4 13 27 22 62 7.24 10 20 13.2 ---
49 12/23 5.6 3 26 10 39 6.55 10 20 11.1 ----
50 12/24 12.5 12 52 14 78 6.14 10 20 12.6 -----
51 12/25 8.5 2 24 9 35 4.07 10 20 15 -----
52 12/26 6.7 2 27 16 45 6.44 10 20 18 -----
53 12/27 8.7 3 4 15 58 7.35 10 20 17.8 13.7
54 12/28 2.6 1 8 3 12 4.34 10 20 10.7 10.3
55 12/29 3.8 3 18 4 25 6.31 10 20 14.8 11.4
56 12/30 4.9 8 20 9 37 7.33 10 20 12.6 10.8
57 12/31 6 7 20 11 38 6.18 10 20 13.4 11.7
58 1/1 3.4 2 18 8 28 8.2 10 20 14.3 11.3
59 1/2 3.8 3 14 13 30 7.55 10 20 13 10.9

[MNKNIGHT]

ok the data did not post that well...sorry about that but you can see in the first columns why i'm asking the question

[LSAT]

From what I can tell...and I certainly am not an expert on this...you have no problem with Centrals and have no need for a bipap.
First of all...if you had a severe CA problem you would need a VPAP machine. A bipap is needed when your pressure needs are very high and will not treat CAs. A severe CA problem is when your AHI is very high and comprised of LOTS of CAs that are in large clumps. I'll let someone with more experience with this continue the conversation.

[Pugsy]

You need to use the Encore software to see exactly when those centrals are happening. Some of them may be awake/semi awake centrals which we have to ignore.
Even if they were all the real deal though...of the above nights there weren't very many where the AHI was over 5.0 and even if that AHI was all central (which it wasn't) you didn't have very many nights exceeding 5.0 per hour and docs won't usually worry about centrals (if the real deal) until they exceed 5.0 for all therapy nights and not just a few nights.

Get Encore Pro software so you can see for sure when they are being flagged.
Awake/semi awake breathing irregularities will sometimes cause the machine to flag events that really aren't related to sleep apnea and despite their being included in the AHI...they have to be ignored.

Encore Pro 2.17.8 http://www.sleepfiles.com/temp3c/EP2.17 ... 64-bit.exe

EncoreGuide link this will show you examples of what you will see. For a different machine than yours but the basics are the same.
http://www.healthcare.philips.com/pwc_h ... _Guide.pdf

[Guest]

Thanks for the feedback - when I did look through for example last nite

I went to sleep around 10 pm the centrals followed this timing (looks like singe episodes):

11:40pm
3:00 am
436am
5:30 am periodic breathing (a minuted or 2)
5:45 am period breathing ( a few minutes
awake at 6am

So net/net - if AHI is below 5 and centrals are such a low number a sleep doc may not do really anything, BPAP is probably questionable too

So final question - how damaging are centrals over time (even a few) - i realize this may be beyond any control...just trying to stay out of danger

[LSAT]

Centrals in your case are most likely Clear Airway Apneas (CA). You are awake or partially awake and hold your breath for >10 seconds. No big deal. Anyone does that when you change positions in bed.