What is going on in this section of my waveform graph? ASV

[icipher]

This is from last night. My AHI was 3.1(about the highest it's gotten thus far) and I had some hypopneas and 1 central event. I am using a new respironics ASV and I am not getting any leaks.

Most nights i have a few episodes that look like what you see below. What is going on here? Why all the purple timed breath marks? I think I understand timed breaths but can anyone tell me more specifically what my body/brain are struggling with here?

[Tom W]

The ASV is trying to get your breathing to match the breath rate that is shown on the very left of the image.

The machine determines that you're taking too long to take a breath (I don't know why) and provides a pressure pulse (timed breath) to get you to breath.

I will say that compared to myself you do seem to respond well to the ASV's request (you do breath when the machine prompts you to breath).

It looks like you're awake for the first 4-5 breaths and then fell asleep at which time you might have some centrals (which the machine helped with) during the wake-sleep transition.

How long did this go on for?

BTW if you can add 'ASV' to the title.

[icipher]

The ASV is trying to get your breathing to match the breath rate that is shown on the very left of the image.

The machine determines that you're taking too long to take a breath (I don't know why) and provides a pressure pulse (timed breath) to get you to breath.

I will say that compared to myself you do seem to respond well to the ASV's request (you do breath when the machine prompts you to breath).

It looks like you're awake for the first 4-5 breaths and then fell asleep at which time you might have some centrals (which the machine helped with) during the wake-sleep transition.

How long did this go on for?

BTW if you can add 'ASV' to the title.

Thanks Tom.

This pattern went on for 1 line in my waveform. There are a couple other clusters that look close to this throughout the night though, although this one is more severe it seems.

You mention centrals, was i actually having centrals here? I don't see the "CA" marker..

[Tom W]

You mention centrals, was i actually having centrals here? I don't see the "CA" marker..

Well yes and no.

You were having something because you weren't breathing.

I'm assuming it was central in nature because of how much flow the machine was able to generate during the timed breath.

The CA marker didn't appear because each event didn't last the minimum 10 seconds required to be classified as an 'apnea'.

I'm no expert but I guess I would say that you were having events that were central in nature....

The ASV did keep you breathing until your breathing stabilized which is exactly what it was designed to do which of course is a great thing.

Here an example of my waveform last night (actually one of my best nights ever). As you can see your breathing responds well to ASV compared to some of us.

[JohnBFisher]

I concur with what Tom W is saying. It appears the machine is intervening on your behalf. It recognized that you were not breathing at the normal rate, so kicks that timed breath. Essentially it switches from expiration to inspiration. This is enough to normally kick the inhalation process on our part. Unless it's really prolonged, or you are having problems with not feeling well when awake, it is not something to worry about. It's part of why you have your ASV machine. Even when your body does not function quite as designed your ASV unit steps in and plays respiratory therapist and reminds you to breathe. It's why you will see over time as our bodies adjust to the therapy, the AHI score tends to drop as we acclimate to the therapy.

[bwexler]

Tis wave form graph is new to me. I have only had the machine a week and found the wave form this morning.
I guess it will take a while to drink in all it may be trying to tell me. I will need to get smart enough to ask questions.

[JohnBFisher]

... I will need to get smart enough to ask questions. ...

Join the crowd! We all come here knowing precious little about apnea. It's a bit of a long road to hoe, but hoe it we do. We have the chance to learn at our own pace. And as long as you are trying to learn and grow, you will find folks here are very helpful. They want to make it an easier process for others traveling the same road they had to travel.

[bwexler]

John I have been using a Resmed S9 Autoset for three years with Sleepyhead and Resscan and thought I was getting pretty knowledgeable.
Not any more. Starting all over with PRS1 Bipap Auto SV.
Hopefully it won't take as long to get up to speed this time.

Every one is trying to convince me the noisy PRS1 is normal. I may need some earplugs like the jet mechanics use.