Is a fluctuating AHI normal?

[Cudos]

Being new to CPAP therapy along with all the struggles it can bring I was wondering if a fluctuating AHI is normal in the beginning and does it eventually settle down with consistent numbers. This would be a good question for the seasoned users here.

Thanks all and have a good weekend!

[Pugsy]

Yes...it's entirely normal and actually to be expected. We don't sleep the same each night.
Even now after 7 years I still see my AHI vary to some extent and on occasion I have seen it vary a lot.
It's rare that I get the exact same number as the night before...almost always some sort of variation in something.

Also as newbies I think that they often don't sleep as soundly just because the brain hasn't gotten used to having the mask/machine on...so they tend to maybe wake up for no reason and when that happens we often get some sleep/wake/junk get flagged and it messes with the AHI because it's not really asleep data. Awake events don't count and the machine can't tell for sure if you are asleep or not. It measures air flow and not wake/sleep status...so sometimes it flags irregular breathing by mistake and our awake/semi awake breathing is very irregular when compared to asleep breathing.

With time as the brain gets used to the mask/machine I think that these arousals become less and the AHI will drop because people sleep more soundly so less sleep/wake/junk to flag by mistake.
The AHI goes down without doing anything simply because they sleep more soundly and less SWJ to falsely elevate the AHI.

[Cudos]

Thanks Pugsy

[LSAT]

After 8 years, my AHI fluctuates between 1.5 and 2.5 with an occasional 3+. I can usually tell when I wake up where my AHI will be.

[Hang Fire]

Is a fluctuating AHI normal?

It depends on what range of fluctuation you are talking about. ±2.5 might be normal. ±40.0 would not be normal.

Check your leak level every time you check your AHI. Anytime your AHI is up, check your leak and pressure lines in Sleepyhead.

[Okie bipap]

I've been using my machine for just over a year and my AHI normally stays under 3 with about 1.3 of the nights under 1. Once in a while, I will hit a night where I go over four.

[Wulfman...]

Sure. Within reason.
It may depend on the machine settings and how they relate to nightly use and the users breathing characteristics.
If using ranges, too low of a minimum or too wide of a range may be problematic.
If using single pressure, the pressure needs to be high enough to prevent most events from occurring (as it is with setting minimum pressures in ranges).


Den

.

[Stardustor]

I've been a CPAP user for nearly two years. My AHI number fluctuates between 2.5 to as high as 12, or 13 the odd night, averaging 5 or 6 each night. Is there a connection between higher AHI and leaks....?? I've never really settled into a regular low AHI - high mask fit pattern after nearly two years.
I've never figured out Sleepyhead either.
I'm using a Dream Station Auto CPAP w/heated tube humidifier and a Dreamwear nasal gel mask. I've been reluctant to remove the CD card from my machine for fear of overwriting/losing existing data. My Physician introduced a service provider who looked after downloading Dreamstation data and getting it back to my Physician. The provider has since folded up shop and left the area. I'm left kinda' hanging between appointments.

Stardustor

[TedVPAP]

I've been a CPAP user for nearly two years. My AHI number fluctuates between 2.5 to as high as 12, or 13 the odd night, averaging 5 or 6 each night. Is there a connection between higher AHI and leaks....?? I've never really settled into a regular low AHI - high mask fit pattern after nearly two years.
I've never figured out Sleepyhead either.
I'm using a Dream Station Auto CPAP w/heated tube humidifier and a Dreamwear nasal gel mask. I've been reluctant to remove the CD card from my machine for fear of overwriting/losing existing data. My Physician introduced a service provider who looked after downloading Dreamstation data and getting it back to my Physician. The provider has since folded up shop and left the area. I'm left kinda' hanging between appointments.

Stardustor

I went years without looking at my data because I could not easily view it. That was a mistake. Now I also have the dreamstation APAP with all the data on an SD card and love viewing the data using sleepyhead. I changed some setting and now I am using less pressure and my AHI average is below 1.0.
OSA treatment requires management. Most people have basic issues which can be effectively managed after obtaining a basic understanding - which is easy to learn. Start a thread and the forum will help you. Very easy. All you need is an SD card reader.

[LSAT]

I've been a CPAP user for nearly two years. My AHI number fluctuates between 2.5 to as high as 12, or 13 the odd night, averaging 5 or 6 each night. Is there a connection between higher AHI and leaks....?? I've never really settled into a regular low AHI - high mask fit pattern after nearly two years.
I've never figured out Sleepyhead either.
I'm using a Dream Station Auto CPAP w/heated tube humidifier and a Dreamwear nasal gel mask. I've been reluctant to remove the CD card from my machine for fear of overwriting/losing existing data. My Physician introduced a service provider who looked after downloading Dreamstation data and getting it back to my Physician. The provider has since folded up shop and left the area. I'm left kinda' hanging between appointments.

Stardustor

After 2 years of therapy you should not be averaging 5-6 AHI. You need to start monitoring your own therapy. Fill in your equipment profile and download Sleepyhead software. https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead

[Pugsy]

All you need is an SD card reader.

Actually the SD card reader/adapter isn't needed if the computer already has a slot for the SD card. Both my laptops have such a slot.
Now some computers don't have a slot and those computers would need to use one of the USB ports and the card reader/adapter...which are cheap and easy to find.

[TedVPAP]

All you need is an SD card reader.

Actually the SD card reader/adapter isn't needed if the computer already has a slot for the SD card. Both my laptops have such a slot.
Now some computers don't have a slot and those computers would need to use one of the USB ports and the card reader/adapter...which are cheap and easy to find.

Yes and many printers have a slot.

[Pugsy]

many printers have a slot.

They do indeed don't they.
Didn't think of that because I don't own a printer. I maybe need to print something once a year and when I do I email it to my mom and we use her printer.

[#1Guest]

I'm using a Dream Station Auto CPAP w/heated tube humidifier and a Dreamwear nasal gel mask. I've been reluctant to remove the CD card from my machine for fear of overwriting/losing existing data. My Physician introduced a service provider who looked after downloading Dreamstation data and getting it back to my Physician. The provider has since folded up shop and left the area. I'm left kinda' hanging between appointments.

It is past time for you to take charge of your healthcare.

I've been a CPAP user for nearly two years. My AHI number fluctuates between 2.5 to as high as 12, or 13 the odd night, averaging 5 or 6 each night. Is there a connection between higher AHI and leaks....?? I've never really settled into a regular low AHI - high mask fit pattern after nearly two years.
I've never figured out Sleepyhead either.

As mentioned, it is also time to use SH. While I agree some change may be normal for some people you need to find out your trends, etc. Try writing in a journal to see if that helps you track things.

For myself, my AHI has not been above 1 for a very long time now. With an auto adjusting correctly you should be able to bring your down from what you are now reporting, that is unless you have other problems.

Learn to use SH and bring that data with you to your next appt. Once you get involved in your therapy I am willing to bet it will improve.

[Alohashirt]

I have been using CPAP therapy (Dreamstation) for six months now. During the first three months, my AHI ranged from 2 to 4. Now, it fluctuates very widely and goes above 5 at least twice a week. Just this week, I had a 2.5 night followed by a 6 night. It's very discouraging. I seem to be getting worse.

I looked at my data in Sleepyhead. At first, I thought there might be a connection between leak rates and high AHI. But that's just not the case. I'm baffled about what might be going on. Are there any other correlations I should be looking for or possible explanations?