Curious... Is it possible to bring AHI down...

Charle · Post by **Charle** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 7:29 pm

I'm new to this and after using an ResMed S8 in auto mode for four nights I'm noticing that the AHI numbers don't seem to be coming down. I've got leakage under control with leak numbers below 0.1 L/second and the pressure has been consistently running in the 11 range (note that I've got auto mode set to for a min/max pressure of 6/15).

I'm sleeping very well and am feeling great but the nightly reports consistently show an AHI of 14 with 4 of those being AIs. Curious as to what others have discovered. Is the AHI something that I should expect to remain the same even though all other symptoms seem to be gone?
Charle

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 7:45 pm

Well, one thing I would do is narrow the gap between high and low. Probably something like 9-13. It may be too early to say whether your numbers will come down. Do they ever go up to 15 and stay there for a while? If they do, then maybe 11-16 would be better. But I am no doc, but also had high AHI numbers. 5 or below is generally is considered good. But give the 9-13 a chance first.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:14 pm

Charle,

Although it is easier said than done, I'm going to tell you what everyone told me. Don't go by the numbers; go by how you feel. If you're feeling great, you are ahead of the game. That is one of the drawbacks of having the software and being able to read your numbers. If you didn't have that option, you wouldn't have any idea that your AHI is what it is and you'd just assume that it was really low since you feel so good.

Your AHI can be low and you can feel like you-know-what. So, if you're possibly able to, ignore the figures and thank God you feel as good as you do. If your numbers come down, great. If they don't, just be grateful they're not high and you feel tired and run down. We have to grasp onto the positives when we are dealing with something that can have so many negatives. In other words, count those blessings and don't forget them.

Charle · Post by **Charle** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:27 pm

Sounds like sage advice... Thanks! I do feel great and the all outward signs are positive. I'm very happy about the positives!
Thanks...
Charle

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:33 pm

Charle wrote:Sounds like sage advice... Thanks! I do feel great and the all outward signs are positive. I'm very happy about the positives!
Thanks...
Charle

When you think about it, prior to therapy, if someone told you that they could make you feel like you do right now, without the mention of ever being able to see your AHI's or any other figures, you'd have jumped at the prospect. I know I would. I am guilty of worrying too much about numbers, too. I am not finding fault with you, rather just trying to put it in perspective the way others have tried to make me do the same. I'm very glad you are feeling so well. May you stay that way!

DCTom · Post by **DCTom** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 10:45 am

I agree wholeheartedly. When I first got my APAP I would run downstairs every morning, plug it in the to PC, and download the data. Then I'd worry about how I was sleeping. Now I don't even look at the data exept occassionally. The thing is, every night is different. I remember before CPAP, some days I'd feel better than others. And some nights I'd wake up snoring and others I would not. Everything from your sleeping position to the humidity to your pillow, all of this will effect your OSA. And I doubt the machines and data are 100% reliable too.