AHI & other factors

[MaryGordon]

I am still pretty new at CPAP.
I have just swapped from nasal pillows to full face.
And here's an odd thing: AHI has shot up from 2 (with nasal pillows) to 7, I haven't sorted out wearing the mask and have had very broken nights, ... but I feel a million times better!
When I first started using CPAP in mid March the difference it made to my general well-being was simply amazing and numerous friends, family, colleagues, commented on it.
the full face mask, despite the apparently increased AHI and very broken nights, has had a similar impact.
So I am wondering: might the machine be falsely registering as events interruptions in the flow caused by extreme leaks, or something like that? and might it be that the breathing with the face mask is simply letting me breathe more freely so I am getting better oxygen saturation?

I'd be really grateful for the benefit of the experience of the kind folk on this forum. Thank you!

[Sheriff Buford]

Did you change the "type of mask" on your machine? Make sure.

Give it some time. My thinking is that I would lean toward "feeling better" with a 7 AHI, than "feeling worse" with a lower AHI. As long as the AHI is not real high. A 7 is sorta high, but not earth rattlin'. I'll bet it will drift down if you give it time. Make sure your leak rates are in line. I went from a the Respironics Total Face mask to the Mirage Quattro. I'm still adjusting.

Sheriff

[MaryGordon]

Thank you Sheriff! Yes, the machine is correctly set.

[Pugsy]

What is the AHI breakdown into event categories?
What increased? If Centrals..maybe a little more awake/semi awake breathing flags by mistake. If more obstructive or hyponea events then maybe the pressure when using a full face mask isn't quite optimal. Some people need a little more pressure when using a full face mask than when using a nasal mask. I know it shouldn't make any difference but I have seen it too many times.

Of course, big leaks....then they can lessen the therapy pressure effectiveness and thus allow more events to happen...so leaks always need to be evaluated first.

[Bill44133]

What was the reason you changed to full face? Are you a mouth breather?
If you are breathing through your mouth then you are probably losing your therapy through your mouth;
so your AHI of 2 would most likely be whats in-accurate.

I wish you well...

[MaryGordon]

Thank you Bill. The change was because there was still significant leakage with the nasal pillows. Although the ahi was good and I am transformed by cpap I am still pretty tired.
The good news is that after my experimentation with the mask during the day, in terms of fit, position etc, the ahi last night was down to 2.8. That said I had a pretty poor night still having to fix the tightness and position a few times.
It seems to me that I somehow wasn't quite getting enough air with the nasal pillows. I have chronic and severe allergic rhinitis so my nose gets blocked. Cpap did help with that, but perhaps not enough. I am also severely asthmatic. I seemed to need the possibility of at least occasionally being able to take some good deep breaths through my mouth or something. ..

[MaryGordon]

Pugsy, I am so sorry I missed your comment originally. I think I was reading on my phone and just missed it on the small screen. Thank you so much for your comments which were very helpful. (I also missed your birthday! Hope it was a happy one and I wish you a happy year!)
I'm getting on well with the Quattro FX and AHI is now down to 1.8 with it. I do have to turn off the machine and reposition the mask once or twice a night but the quality of sleep I am getting is so much better that it is worth doing.
thanks for the help!