Apnea Index Versus Hypopnea Index

[staryjan]

Hi,

I am a new member. This is my first post.

I have been using a Resmed Autoset Vantage S8 with companion humidifier and a Flexifit 421 Full Face Mask.

My initial titration was on a CPAP with a result of 12 in. Accordingly my doctor prescribed an APAP range of 8 to 12.

The results have been generally poor as far as my energy level is concerned, so I learned about how to change the settings myself via the internet. I am currently set at 10.6 to 15.6 and am getting so-so results with that setting.

I notice that my HI is much higher than my AI. My greatest difference over the past two weeks was an AI of 0.4 and an HI of 8.8 while the lowest was and AI of1.9 and an HI of 4.2. I'm wondering if there are many other people who have such one sided results. Could that be a reason why my outcomes have not been so good?

Thanks,
Staryjan (Old John)

[jskinner]

Welcome Staryjan,

The numbers that you have are actually pretty good. It might just take some time for you to regain your energy level back. You might be able to lower the hyponea level a bit by increasing the lower setting of the APAP.

Another thing is to be careful that you don't induce centrals. Did you have any of those in your sleep study? If so don't put your high end any higher than your titrated pressure.

I'm sure some of the more experinced PAPers here will be able to help you fine tune some more...

Cheers, -james

[rmeder]

i HAVE THE SAME MACHINE---i HAVE VERY SIMILAR RESULTS---ARE YOU IN AUTO PAP MODE??---i WOULD NOT MESS WITH THE PRESSURES UNTIL YOU GET AT LEAST A 1 MONTH AVERAGE AND THEN i WOULD CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OR BRING IN YOUR SMART CARD FOR HIM TO READ--YOUR AI LOOKS REALLY GOOD--ANYTHING UNDER 5 IS AS GOOD AS A NORMAL PERSON--ALSO YOUR HI IS USUALLY HIGHER AS THIS IS JUST SHALLOW BREATHING NOT AN APNEA EVENT---i LOVE MY S-8 VANTAGE IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!!--I WAS ABLE TO QUIT SMOKING AND DRINKING NOW THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO MEDICATE MYSELF TO SLEEP--KEEP IT UP- IT ONLY GETS BETTER

[dsm]

Resmed machines do regularly score higher HI data that some other brands.

The real concern is your AI numbers. If they are under 3.0 that is pretty good, under 1.0 is very good.

The AHI data is not scientific data but more of a guide as to how relatively effective an Auto machine is. By this I mean that three different brands of Auto if used on the same person for the same night, would normally give you 3 different AHI scores.

Best advice I can offer is to always treat Auto AHI numbers as relative to the brand you have.

Re the HI score, it is pretty normal to get into shallower breathing as you go through different types of sleep. HI can be a good indicator of this. I can't recall off the top of my head the corelation between type of sleep and shallow breathing (am sure some other regulars can answer that one).

Good luck

DSM

[pedroski]

Hi Old John,

I use the same machine as you too. The Resmed machines apparently score hypopneas a little higher than the others. Your results are actually pretty good considering you haven't been on pap for very long. The objective is to keep your AHI below 5 but the AI is the more dangerous one and yours are low.

It's possible that you may have your max set too high. I was titrated at 14 and like you I have experimented with different settings (apap 14–19 apap 12 – 16 and now apap 10-14). I found that the higher pressures made me wake up feeling like I had come out of a coma, so I now have my titrated pressure as the max on apap mode.

This is working well for me. One thing to remember when experimenting is not to change more than one thing at a time and to use that setting for a week, so you can be sure what is causing any changes.

There are lots of variables with pap treatment that can effect your sleep quality. What are your leak rates and how long are you sleeping for?

Anyway you're in the right place to get help. Hang in there, it will get better.

Good luck

Peter

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[lvwildcat]

Thanks for this post and answers. I use a Resmed S7 Elite. My AHI usually is 4.5-6.6. But my AI is always between 0-0.8. So now I feel with the info this thread has given me-I'm doing OK!!! I was always concerned about my AHI #s being a little high. But the answers here have cleared that up for me. Thanks!

[pedroski]

Hi lvwildcat,

There's nothing like a bit of knowledge to reassure you eh. The ones who have found this or similar websites are fortunate. I know the docs are often suspicious of their patients gaining health knowledge from the internet, but people are going to seek out further info anyway, so maybe they should provide links to these sites after sleep studies?

Peter