M Series Auto CPAP C-Flex display shows high AHI

[arburtus]

How accurate is the AHI count reading from the top face display of the device? My count is around 12 AHI (likely all centrals, seems very high) I have been on CPAP for 1 week, the machine was switched to the current model 4 days ago.
The data of the prior machine was downloaded at the sleep center, and the average was around 5 (+/- 2).

I should note that I have a hard time to tolerate the machine for longer than 2 hours before I rip it off. I am kind of fighting the device, it is sometimes hard to breath again the resistance. in the early morning I sleep another 2 hour cycle with the device. I am typically not suffering from insomnia, but I am defiantly heading that way. At daytime I feel like suffering from a huge hangover...

[Hawthorne]

An AHI of 5 or under is considered good therapy for sleep apnea. Having said that, it is a fact that the display on the LCD screen of the M Series and most cpap machines is not very accurate. To get more accurate data you need some software. For the M Series, you need Encore Viewer software and a special card reader. The software and reader are available online at cpap.com.

You should still be able to have your data downloaded at the sleep center with this machine though and that would give a more accurate AHI, etc. or get the software if you can and download it on your own computer.

As for removing the mask, that is not uncommon when beginning cpap. You should try having the mask and machine on while you are reading or watching TV to help get accustomed to having the mask on your face and the air blowing.

Your machine has C-Flex and A-Flex, which are exhalation relief features. You can set either of them at 1,2 or 3 and the pressure will drop some when you exhale, making it easier. Your Provider may have locked you out of those settings. Do you have the Clinician's Guide so that you can set those for yourself? You would have to experiment to find the right one and the right level for you.

[cflame1]

in order to download the card off your Mseries machine you'll need the software and a MAKO DT3500 card reader.

[Pugsy]

M Series machine on screen AHI data is limited to 7 day and 30 day averages. It will be correct as far as that average goes. Problem is you can't see what happened just last night. The averages can be reset to zero each night so that you can see a single night data on screen. Best thing is software though.