Am I having centrals?

[Jason2483]

The Icon only reports hypopneas and apneas in their software and doesn't identify centrals. I've noticed that they get worse after the machine bumps the pressure in response to them. I even woke up and realized I was not breathing but the airway was not closed like when I wake up to an obstructive apnea. I was basically holding my breath. Is this indicative of a central apnea? I can post a chart if that didn't make sense.

[ozij]

The problem with interpreting charts in Auto mode it that you often don't know which came first: apneas and hypopneas, and then a pressure response to them or vice versa. You need etremely detailed and precise charting that shows the air flow, and changes pressure in order to say with certainty which came first.

If I had rather rough data, like the Icon's, and wanted to see if my apneas came in response to higher pressure, I would set my machine at constant pressure, and keep it there for a week, then move up (or down, as the case may be).
I would choose the starting pressure based on my Rx and my Automatic settings. If my Rx was for originally for fixed, I'd ttry to ake that as my starting point. I my Rx was originally for Auto, I'd try to discuss my symptoms , and event numbers with my doctor first.

Based on your description, you could be having central apneas - but I wouldn't use that term when speaking to the doctor. I'd focus on what I saw (hopefully s/he'll look at the chart with you) and what I felt.

If the doctor turned out useless, I'd proceed carefully on my own.
If I had to proceed on my own - I'd want better, more detailed data.

Keep in mind that restless sleep, tossing an turning, and the general irregularity in breathing that precedes wakeup can be interpreted as apneas by the machine. However, the apneas (and hyponeas) relevant to understanding the quality of your therapy are only those that occur when you are asleep.