2.9 AHI?

[SingleMom]

Is an AHI of 2.9 good, bad, okay? I've been on CPAP just shy of 2 years. Recently I've noticed my AHI (HI) climbing a bit. Is my number still in the decent range, or are there things I can do to lower it?

[scrapper]

Anything below 5 is excellent. How you feel is also just as important........

[gasp]

I agree numbers 5 or below indicate you're getting good therapy. I remember when I first began reading my own reports also wondering what I coudl do to get them lower.

I was able to consistently stay below below 1 by doing the following, in order of positive impact to my therapy:

-most impactive was changing my pressure range
-nasal mask leaked and it and headgear caused facial rash so I changed to the ComfortLite2 nasal pillows. The new mask reduced leakage and increased comfort so I sleep more sound.
-the new CL2 mask caused forehead rash so eliminated it by using a CL2 Padacheek cover
-using a Tempurpedic pillow helps me keep a good seal because I can push it and it stays, accommodating the mask instead of pushing back at the mask which unseats the seal causing leakage.
-more thorough reports to analyze data by using Skinner's Encore Analyzer Pro
-inclining my bed to reduce events just as it reduced snoring before therapy
-Travel Buddy hose hanger, keeps my hose mobile and from dragging on my mask which caused it to leak
-using a Neti Pot keeps my sinuses clear and able to breath better using nasal pillows, that changing masks to a ComfortLite 2
-reduced rain out using various hose covers
-Pur-Sleep aromatherapy. Early on using aromatherapy helped me sleep more peacefully because the smell of plastic was annoying.

I wanted to shoot for zero. But, as it turns out, I use an Respironics AFlex machine, which I love because it has such wonderful exhale relief, but because of this I will not be able to attain a consistent zero. This is because the AFlex needs an apnea event to respond.

So, I suppose that if one uses a continuous pressure machine, theoretically zero is attainable.

Best wishes!

[AirBreather]

An AHI of 2.9 is very good. Most people here would love to have such a low value.

[Isleepsalot]

First off, have you noticed a difference in the way you feel as far as tiredness and such? I myself have just started CPAP therapy last week but I am positive I know a lot about the ailments that result from OSA . My AHI is still 3.1 according to my machine and I believe the other posters were right, regarding an AHI being under 5 being lovely for many as well as about average for a non-OSA person. If you are still in contact with your sleep "specialist" I would definitely give them a call, especially if suddenly your index has changed recently just to double check you don't need a new prescription or anything! And anyone reading this please correct me if I am wrong because I am very new to all this myself

- Jordan

[jeremiahchub]

After reading this thread I won't complain about my AHI being 1.6 on my pr systemone auto.

[Gerald]

Singlemom......

I respectfully disagree with the others concerning the opinion that "anything below 5.0 is good therapy".

I realize that the medical and insurance establishments promote that idea, but I disagree....based on experience.

My honey and I have found that we must stay below AHI 2.5....or we aren't getting good therapy. We define "good therapy" as measured blood O2 livels staying at 93% or above all night while we're asleep. That means we have to measure with a recording Oximeter before we know for sure.

Sleep apnea is simply "slow motion suffocation"......and unless we measure....using a recording Oximeter.....how we "feel" is not convincing enough for us.

Gerald

[KatieW]

To add on to what Gerald said, I would like to know the breakdown of AI and HI.

Your AHI is 2.9, but if your AI/apnea index is 2.0 and your HI/hypopnea index is .9, and you sleep 8 hours, that's 16 apneas per night, and your oxygen levels could be dropping too low. You would need an oximeter to measure this.

If, on the other hand, if your your AI is .1 and your HI is 2.8, then that's a much different picture.

If you don't have the software to track your data, keep a notebook and write down:
Leaks, AHI, AI, HI each morning, and then look at the trend.

Also, see this thread:

viewtopic/t48841/Typical-AHI-variability.html

[Gerald]

Wise words, Katie!

[Like it is]

Oh for the love of God. Are we never satisfied with anything? An AHI of 2.9? Most OSA suffers on xPAP would "kill" to get a number like that.

[billbolton]

We define "good therapy" as measured blood O2 livels staying at 93% or above all night while we're asleep.

Good for you, but that doesn't change the general health sector consensus (i.e. not an opinion) that an AHI at 5.0 or below is regarded as normal sleep.

Cheers,

Bill

[SingleMom]

Oh for the love of God. Are we never satisfied with anything? An AHI of 2.9? Most OSA suffers on xPAP would "kill" to get a number like that.

I was starting to feel tired during the day again, and was just wondering if that was a good number. That's it. Is this board's purpose not to help all users?

Katie- According to the machine, the AI is 0 and HI is 2.9

[KatieW]

Oh for the love of God. Are we never satisfied with anything? An AHI of 2.9? Most OSA suffers on xPAP would "kill" to get a number like that.

I was starting to feel tired during the day again, and was just wondering if that was a good number. That's it. Is this board's purpose not to help all users?

Katie- According to the machine, the AI is 0 and HI is 2.9

SingleMom, yes, we try to help everyone. Don't be disturbed by drive-by posters who haven't registered with the forum.

With AI of 0, and HI of 2.9, it looks like cpap is working the way it should and your sleep apnea is being well treated. So now, look to other things that may be disturbing your sleep, and thus the feeling tired during the day. eg. any new stressors/worries, changes in diet or exercise, medications, hours of sleep, any aches or pains, etc. Perhaps keeping a journal will help you see some patterns.

To sleep best, I need to eat a light dinner, turn off the tv and computer 1 hour before bedtime (too stimulating), and get 8 hours of sleep.

[terrydk]

I started therapy in late December and last night had my best results so far. 7 3/4 hrs, pressure 15.4, .26 l/s, AHI = 5.4, AI = .1 & HI = 5.3. My better half said I was sleeping like a baby.

[KatieW]

I started therapy in late December and last night had my best results so far. 7 3/4 hrs, pressure 15.4, .26 l/s, AHI = 5.4, AI = .1 & HI = 5.3. My better half said I was sleeping like a baby.

It's so great when everything starts to work. And after such a short time--congratulations.