He's got: Wild AHI Swings

[Dennis de NorthWet]

Papers,
I likely don't have all the needed info, but I've got a friend who's new to this game who's having issues.

He's using a Resmed Dreamstation "with all the bells and whistles" and says he's having AHI readings ranging between 8 and 40+. Per the wisdom of this forum, I suggested to him that his machine may be set at too high a pressure. Unfortunately I don't know what that pressure is. He has an appointment with a doc, but not for a few weeks. Comments? Suggestions?

Regards, DDN

[GoodGuysFinish]

I have been at this a little while, not a super expert, but have no idea how you could come to that conclusion.

The friend should go to a doc or someone who can extract the complete data from his machine. The data in capable hands is what will lead to good conclusions.

GGF

[LSAT]

Papers,
I likely don't have all the needed info, but I've got a friend who's new to this game who's having issues.

He's using a Resmed Dreamstation "with all the bells and whistles" and says he's having AHI readings ranging between 8 and 40+. Per the wisdom of this forum, I suggested to him that his machine may be set at too high a pressure. Unfortunately I don't know what that pressure is. He has an appointment with a doc, but not for a few weeks. Comments? Suggestions?

Regards, DDN

With an AHI that high he most likely has the pressure set too low. See if you can get him to download Sleepyhead Software to see exactly what is happening with his therapy. He has a data capable machine and may be able to monitor and adjust his own therapy.
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment

[robysue]

Papers,
I likely don't have all the needed info, but I've got a friend who's new to this game who's having issues.

He's using a Resmed Dreamstation "with all the bells and whistles" and says he's having AHI readings ranging between 8 and 40+. Per the wisdom of this forum, I suggested to him that his machine may be set at too high a pressure. Unfortunately I don't know what that pressure is. He has an appointment with a doc, but not for a few weeks. Comments? Suggestions?

Regards, DDN

Offer to take a look at his data in SleepyHead.

Until we know what the breakdown of those events is, we can't speculate on whether the pressure is too high or too low. Without knowing what the leak line looks like, we can't speculate about whether the too high treated AHI might be related to serious mouth breathing that renders his therapy totally ineffective.

[englandsf]

Triage basics:

1. What's the pressure setting? If it's low it could be a problem. If it's high it could be driving leaks
2. What's the leak rate? - if it's high on bad nights the mask is not working
3. What's the mask type - if not full face then mouth leaks could be an issue.

Hope this helps

[chunkyfrog]

. . . a doc or someone who can extract . . . The data in capable hands . . .

FYI:
"Capable hands" are not necessarily attached to over-worked, under-trained "providers".
Forum members promote the concept that the PATIENT is often the only one with a vested interest in successful treatment.

[robysue]

I have been at this a little while, not a super expert, but have no idea how you could come to that conclusion.

The friend should go to a doc or someone who can extract the complete data from his machine. The data in capable hands is what will lead to good conclusions.

GGF

Anyone around here who uses SleepyHead (or ResScan or Encore) can look at that data and most of us can analyze better than many doctors and most DMEs do.

Triage basics:

1. What's the pressure setting? If it's low it could be a problem. If it's high it could be driving leaks
2. What's the leak rate? - if it's high on bad nights the mask is not working
3. What's the mask type - if not full face then mouth leaks could be an issue.

Hope this helps

The only way Questions 1 and 2 can be answered is by looking at the data. The OP should offer to look at the data on the SD card for their friend.

[Wulfman...]

Papers,
I likely don't have all the needed info, but I've got a friend who's new to this game who's having issues.

He's using a Resmed Dreamstation "with all the bells and whistles" and says he's having AHI readings ranging between 8 and 40+. Per the wisdom of this forum, I suggested to him that his machine may be set at too high a pressure. Unfortunately I don't know what that pressure is. He has an appointment with a doc, but not for a few weeks. Comments? Suggestions?

Regards, DDN

ResMed doesn't make the DreamStation........Philips/Respironics does.


Den

.

[palerider]

Papers,
I likely don't have all the needed info, but I've got a friend who's new to this game who's having issues.

He's using a Resmed Dreamstation "with all the bells and whistles" and says he's having AHI readings ranging between 8 and 40+. Per the wisdom of this forum, I suggested to him that his machine may be set at too high a pressure. Unfortunately I don't know what that pressure is. He has an appointment with a doc, but not for a few weeks. Comments? Suggestions?

Regards, DDN

With an AHI that high he most likely has the pressure set too low.

this is true.

[Dennis de NorthWet]

Papers,
Thanks all for your input. Passed it on. Hopefully my friend will join us here eventually.
My bad on the brand, but the model was correct.

Anyhow, his machine is set at 8 and he has no leaks indicated.
He intends to call his doc this afternoon and download SleepyHead.
Also, he just moved from FL to CO with the altitude change, which I don't see making a lot of difference. (?)

Regards
Dennis

[Wulfman...]

Papers,
Thanks all for your input. Passed it on. Hopefully my friend will join us here eventually.
My bad on the brand, but the model was correct.

Anyhow, his machine is set at 8 and he has no leaks indicated.
He intends to call his doc this afternoon and download SleepyHead.
Also, he just moved from FL to CO with the altitude change, which I don't see making a lot of difference. (?)

Regards
Dennis

All data-capable machines have automatic altitude adjustments (up to pretty high altitudes), so that shouldn't be a problem.


Den

.

[robysue]

Also, he just moved from FL to CO with the altitude change, which I don't see making a lot of difference. (?)

What elevation is he now living at?

While modern CPAPs doe a got job of adjusting to altitude automatically, the specs on the DreamStation list the maximum operating altitude as 7,500 feet.

If he is living close to that altitude or above he may need to consult someone who knows something about how to adjust his machine's pressure settings properly for the altitude he is living at.