AHI according to CPAP vs At Home Sleep study

[casereport]

A mail order at-home sleep test results showed that I had no sleep apnea whatsoever - AHI of 0.2. I suspect that the result is inaccurate, really, because the result also indicates that I was awake for around 40% of my sleep study due to caffeine (I should not have). So that test was done 2 weeks ago.

Two days ago, I just found a mask that fits better than my previous ones. I still have trouble keeping it on my face for more than 2 hours into my sleep, but when I finally achieved nearly perfect seal & and had a nap of 2 hours, I found that my AHI was 9.43. Next day, another nap for 2 hours, no leak, AHI 10.00.

So can I say I can lean towards the possibility of sleep apnea (AHI 9.43) according to CPAP?
I know I need an in-lab sleep study, but that's going to take a while. Just trying to see whether I should keep using the machine until the in-lab study in May.

+ Edit: just for your reference, here's a snapshot from one OA episode my machine recorded, from Sleepyhead.

[LSAT]

Yes..What's your pressure setting? It may need an increase

[casereport]

Yes..What's your pressure setting? It may need an increase

Right now it's set at 6 - 10.

[LSAT]

Your minimum may not be high enough...same for your Maximum. Who determined the pressures? Your charts are useless.
viewtopic/t172378/Sticky--Newbies-PLEAS ... STING.html

[casereport]

Your minimum may not be high enough...same for your Maximum. Who determined the pressures? Your charts are useless.
viewtopic/t172378/Sticky--Newbies-PLEAS ... STING.html

Thank you! I haven't been able to get an in-lab sleep study until May. So I've just been experimenting with the pressure and self-medicate.
So does that mean that AHI recorded in the CPAP machine is also unreliable?

[palerider]

+ Edit: just for your reference, here's a snapshot from one OA episode my machine recorded, from Sleepyhead.

What are we supposed to get from that way too zoomed in screenshot?

Turn off the right panel (f10) and place the event near the right side of the screen.

But, first, tell us what you are expecting us to see...

[casereport]

+ Edit: just for your reference, here's a snapshot from one OA episode my machine recorded, from Sleepyhead.

What are we supposed to get from that way too zoomed in screenshot?

Turn off the right panel (f10) and place the event near the right side of the screen.

But, first, tell us what you are expecting us to see...

Thank you!

So...


So, here I am trying to see if CPAP's recording of AHI is a fair indication that I might have sleep apnea.
My machine is poorly set up, but I managed to prevent the mask from leaking. Is it possible to infer from the machine's recording of AHI whether I have sleep apnea?
Or maybe the machine is poorly set up (even with no mask leak) the data, including the AHI, is useless?
Or you can't really tell someone has sleep apnea by looking at the AHI recorded on the CPAP because CPAP does not really detect apnea?

I am sorry if I am rambling and my questions make no sense. For weeks my condition's been deteriorating rapidly. It's been so hard to stay awake and focus, read and write, and think with the mental clarity I once had.

The doctor says he can't really do something until I get the diagnosis from an in-lab study, which is only available at the end of May. SnoreLab app shows I snore a lot but does not gasp. At home sleep test shows that I have no sleep apnea. The sleep specialist (doctor) looked at my result and said she couldn't really tell until I get a full in-lab study.

Coming 10 weeks are really important and will decide whether I will be able to continue my program here in this country. I have no other resources here at the moment. If AHI registered on my machine means that it's likely I have sleep apnea, I want to figure out how to use the machine. If it doesn't, then I will start strategizing to see whether some remedies for narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia would be helpful.

Thank you for your patience - I know I have posted lots of dumb questions, and the people here have been very kind and understanding. This forum has been one of the very few resources I could find.

[palerider]

The most annoying thing is that you keep posting in new threads, so it's a real pain in the rear to try and remember what you've said about your condition previously.

Please STOP doing that, stick to one thread, this one, or whatever.

Change your pressures to a min 7 max 20. fix your charts so they look like the example in my sig, and let's see what tomorrow brings.

[Stom]

So, here I am trying to see if CPAP's recording of AHI is a fair indication that I might have sleep apnea.
My machine is poorly set up, but I managed to prevent the mask from leaking. Is it possible to infer from the machine's recording of AHI whether I have sleep apnea?

Something to keep in mind is that a CPAP machine can induce central apneas in a small percentage of people. That could account for some of the difference between your sleep test and the CPAP AHI - most of your apneas are centrals. Treatment induced central apneas get better in around 55% of people who have them.

I don't know if that is the issue you are experiencing because there isn't enough data. But it is something to keep in mind going forward. Pale rider's suggestion to up the max on your APAP is a good idea. Personally, I have a hard time breathing with anything less than 5, and prefer 6, as a minimum.