Typical AHI on CPAP

jskinner · Post by **jskinner** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:01 pm

What is a typical AHI value that one can expect to achieve on CPAP? Before CPAP my AHI was 55. Now after 2 months on CPAP my average AHI is about 12. I see many people have much lower values. I feel a lot better (no more daily headaches) but still tired most days.

I've tried increasing my pressure from 6 to 8 as suggested by my DME provider but that caused mouth leaks and many awakings.

What can one hope to normally achieve as a target AHI? What AHI is needed to feel completely normal (l've heard less than 5?) I have ordered and received a SmartCard reader and am just waiting for the software to arrive so hopefully that will give me more details to work with.

-James

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:21 pm

Your mileage WILL vary!
Less than 5.0 is considered "normal".
At least you've taken steps in the right direction by getting the software and reader. You'll get a lot more feel for the direction you need to take when you start reading your nightly reports. (I AM curious as to how you know your AHI is 12.....did someone else read your card?)
You NEED to get the mask thing (leaks, etc.) solved.....either by taping or selecting a different mask.

Best wishes,

Den

By the way, my ex-wife uses that same mask (407) at a pressure of 20!

jskinner · Post by **jskinner** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:33 pm

Wulfman wrote:Your mileage WILL vary!
I AM curious as to how you know your AHI is 12.....did someone else read your card?

My CPAP shows the 7 & 30 day average. I've also gotten the card read by my DME once and it ranged anywhere from 6-16 AHI at night.

I look forward to being able to examine it more regularly.

-james

wahooker · Post by **wahooker** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:34 pm

Since I switched to an apap (1 week so far, preceeded by about 8 months of cpap) My AHI has been fluctuating in the .5 - 1.5 range, as measured by the Respironics auto cpap. Don't know if that is typical or not, but I'm not complaining.

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:56 pm

Respironics Remstar Pro 2 CPAP set at 10:

- AHI with ComfortCurve Mask last night: 8.2
- AHI with ComfortFull 2 Mas the previous night: 27.3

Occasionally the ComfortCurve AHI drops below 5.0, but not very often. The Confortfull 2 never gets below about 15 or 20.

Judging from all of the messages that I've read on this forum, I think that my AHIs are probably much higher than most everyone else's.

OCO

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:59 pm

jskinner wrote:My CPAP shows the 7 & 30 day average. I've also gotten the card read by my DME once and it ranged anywhere from 6-16 AHI at night.

I look forward to being able to examine it more regularly.

-james

OK.....had a brain lapse and forgot about the display on the M Series.

Best wishes,

Den

Missy · Post by **Missy** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:55 pm

Am I right in thinking an AHI much over 5.0 is high? I can feel the difference between a 1.5 and 6.0. I would think that anything over a 5.0 in indicating a leak womewhere, mouthbreathing or snoring.

TerryB · Post by **TerryB** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:14 pm

jskinner,
IMHO your AHI should easily go below 5 and easily below 3. I would suggest that the increase in pressure suggested should be tried taking whatever measures you must to eliminate mouthleaks. Myself, I use Ploident strips to stick my lips together and a chinstrap to hold my jaw shut. My AHI on my auto at 10 to 14 is ALWAYS below 2.0.

TerryB

jskinner · Post by **jskinner** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:16 pm

Here is the data from the report I got from my DME:
http://james.istop.com/apnea/reports/Sept8.pdf

Anyone have any suggestioned based on that data?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:41 pm

I swear I never thought I'd say this. I think you DME might be correct, OUCH, that hurt!

6 cm is teriable low, 8 cm should be better, however your leak rate has to be repaired. I would use a FF Mask, if I couldn't get the taping solution to work. I'm glad you are getting the software, it's a must.

I can't see how your snore rate can be that low and the other be so high, Mine the Snore would be a red bar, with those numbers. AHI <5 is the goal but as Missy said even less is better. above 4 for a couple of days and I feel it.

Also when you get the software you can set when your sleep day starts so you don't get the time split up. Jim

greyhound · Post by **greyhound** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:54 pm

I agree that large leaks seem to be your major problem. On those days where you only show 1 or 2 hours of useage, I suspect the leaks were above the Remstar's "maximum" - i.e., the point where the machine would shut off if you had the auto off option on, and the point above which it doesn't record apnea events. I've had similar unusually large leaks when I've experimented with the hybrid and/or the UMFF.

jskinner · Post by **jskinner** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:12 pm

I also agree that I probably need to move to a higher pressure. Its just that every attempt so far has made things worse. (awakings and mouth leaks)

I have had some success the last few nights in getting the leak rate down. I am anxious for the software to arrive so that I can confirm that. Whats a typical leak rate that I should expect if all was well?

I will try to go a higher pressure again once I get setup with software so that I can monitor results better. Thanks so much for everyones help so far! This board is invaluable.

jskinner · Post by **jskinner** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:47 am

Goofproof wrote: Also when you get the software you can set when your sleep day starts so you don't get the time split up. Jim

Where do I find that setting in the software?
thanks, -james

ThunderSnorem · Post by **ThunderSnorem** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 11:18 am

jskinner wrote:
...
Before CPAP my AHI was 55. Now after 2 months on CPAP my average AHI is about 12. ...
...
I've tried increasing my pressure from 6 to 8 as suggested by my DME provider but that caused mouth leaks and many awakings.

I've been on CPAP since 8/10/06, and was at an AHI of 59 pre-CPAP.
I am at a pressure of 14 on CPAP and mouth leaks were a BIG issue for me, and once they settled, my nightly AHI went to around 2-4. Chin straps helped, but I eventually went to taping and it works great for me.
No more headaches, no more tiredness . . . I am a new person!

I hope you get your leaks taken care of and you feel better.

John

(Remember everyone is different and CPAP pressure is NOT an indication of OSA severity nor is it universal in application from one person to the next.)

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:01 pm

jskinner wrote:What is a typical AHI value that one can expect to achieve on CPAP?

James,

I think the words "typical" and "expect" can be mutually exclusive when referring to the numbers in this therapy.

HOWEVER.......
Last night I achieved my lowest overall numbers (in one night) since I started my therapy.
AHI - 0.0
Snore Index - 1.7
Leak rate - 38 (about normal for this mask and pressure)

They don't come often, but I like to see 'em when they do.

Best wishes,

Den

Typical AHI on CPAP

Typical AHI on CPAP

Re: Typical AHI on CPAP