What causes variable breathing?

[Thumper1947]

This screenshot show a pretty typical night for me. I'm dealing with allergy problems and some restricted breathing on the right side of my nose, but I almost always have a high variable breathing number along with what looks like a chaotic night.What causes this and how would I deal with it. Thanks
Thumper

[Dog Slobber]

What causes this and how would I deal with it.

Why do you think it even needs "dealing with"?

[Thumper1947]

First, because it is listed along with all the other problems like OA's and Hypopnias. Second, because I don't typically see this high variability when others post their charts. Third, I watched Jason's videos from free CPAP advice and he said you don't want to see breathing like that. Fourth, because it looks chaotic, not organized breathing. And fifth, just because I would like to understand and learn more about how to use this data.
Thumper

[NewToSleepApnea]

Thumper - Mine is like that every night too. No idea why. Am very interested to hear peoples opinions on things like that. Great measured calm response to that question too of why. Hoping to see some responses!

[Dog Slobber]

First, because it is listed along with all the other problems like OA's and Hypopnias. Second, because I don't typically see this high variability when others post their charts. Third, I watched Jason's videos from free CPAP advice and he said you don't want to see breathing like that. Fourth, because it looks chaotic, not organized breathing. And fifth, just because I would like to understand and learn more about how to use this data.
Thumper

You haven't demonstrated that you even have a variable breathing problem. As much as we want to believe that these machines are diagnostic machines they simply can't be trusted as such.

Before you ask for advice on how to "deal with" a problem, you should be asking if you actually have a problem that requires "dealing with".

You're graph doesn't appear to have anything more than normal volatility, that exists with all of our breathing patterns, though to different extents.

[Thumper1947]

Dog,
The chart shows 40.85% of the time I have variable breathing. With your knowledge, you say this is normal. All I am trying to find out if this is the case. I would like to hear a few more opinions than yours to determine if this is true. If Pugsy told me this was the case, I probably wouldn't be too concerned. But Jason said on one of his videos that this is something that you "don't want to see", but he didn't say why, and his opinion I would certainly respect. Just looking for some information and understanding of something I am not an expert in, that's all.

[Pugsy]

My machine doesn't officially report "variable breathing" but I see episodes of variable breathing all night long because we simply don't breathe the same all night long.

Respironics reports this data point but I have yet to see an official definition as to what it is, why it is or if it is even important or not.
So we don't know how to measure or evaluate what they are reporting or how they are reporting it.

So...the best answer is check with your doctor to see if this data point means anything or not.

My flow rate graph is always all over the place...it's my normal and I just don't worry about it.

Since we have zero guidance anywhere about what this "variable breathing" actually means or doesn't mean we have to punt to the doctors.

Does it maybe point to poor sleep quality??? We simply don't know. Everyone is going to have some variable breathing of some sort...as to how important it is or isn't.....I have yet to find any documentation on it that explains anything.
Is it just another Respironics "fluff" data point or whatever???? It very well could be.

Ask your doctor this question is my best advice.

[Thumper1947]

Pugsy,
Thanks for the reply. I'll never get an award for best sleeper, but a lot of nights just look a little chaotic, even if I get a decent AHI. I saw Jason mention the wavy flow patterns and say you don't want this, but he didn't say why. Maybe I'll try and post a question on his forum and see if he chimes in. Thanks again from all I've learned from you and the others here.

[Pugsy]

What wavy flow patterns?
Jason was talking about CSR waxing and waning of the air flow which is a very specific pattern but you don't seem to have that pattern or your machine would flag it.

Variable breathing isn't the same as Cheyne Stokes Respiration or even periodic breathing.