1 1/2 yrs on CPAP and declining success

[greenham]

Been a CPAP user now for almost 1 1/2 years. Lately this therapy seems much less effective then it did at first. In my early experiences I was feeling more rested, but much higher ability to concentrate.

All that seems to have gone away. As time goes by it is getting worse. I had recently diagnosed High BP. That is now being controlled by medication. I have been able to lose 40lbs in the last 8 months. So while things should be getting better for me, they seem to be getting worse (Sleep wise) My machine shows AHI levels at 2-4 per hour.

Any ideas, suggestions ?

[Goofproof]

Are you using Encore Pro to find out the true progress of your treatment, or just the few questionsble readings from your LCD? Jim

[danmc]

I'm pretty new to cpap so I can only offer a fresh point of view.

Good work on the weight loss. Have you asked a GP or specialist what their thoughts are? Do you have a sleep log or diary of sorts that can help you track the changes in how you feel day by day etc so you can look for patterns?

I would be looking for more data to try and establish some kind of pattern to the change or likely cause for the lowered sleep quality. What kind of log info do you have from your machine?

[Wulfman]

In addition to what Jim asked.......
What's your pressure setting(s)?
How much sleep are you getting?

If you have that Auto (in your profile) set to a pressure range, I'd guess that your minimum pressure is too low......which is why your AHI is high (in my opinion). All things being equal, CPAP therapy should be lowering your blood pressure.

Den

[greenham]

I do have the software to track my therapy, and to be honest I haven't d/l data in about 6 weeks, just because it was going so well so I will do that tonight.

I am set at a Min 5 and a Max of 8

I get a good 7-9hrs of sleep a night

I am going tomorrow to see my General Practitioner about feeling this way

[Wulfman]

I do have the software to track my therapy, and to be honest I haven't d/l data in about 6 weeks, just because it was going so well so I will do that tonight.

I am set at a Min 5 and a Max of 8

I get a good 7-9hrs of sleep a night

I am going tomorrow to see my General Practitioner about feeling this way

Apparently it isn't going THAT well.

If I were you, I'd be reading my Encore reports rather than spending good money on doctor's visits if it wasn't necessary.
Your starting pressure is almost "nothing" and even your upper pressure isn't that high. Unless you have some other medical reason to limit the upper pressure, I'd be thinking about raising both pressures......or switch to CPAP mode and start working upwards. A pressure of 5 probably isn't even enough to wash out the CO2 from breathing in your mask.

Den

[tangents]

Greenham,

Den has good advice. Is it possible also that your mask needs replacing? They can get leaky if they're too old.

Good luck, and keep us informed, so you can get back on track with your therapy.

Regards,
Cathy

[Snoredog]

[quote="greenham"]Been a CPAP user now for almost 1 1/2 years. Lately this therapy seems much less effective then it did at first. In my early experiences I was feeling more rested, but much higher ability to concentrate.

All that seems to have gone away. As time goes by it is getting worse. I had recently diagnosed High BP. That is now being controlled by medication. I have been able to lose 40lbs in the last 8 months. So while things should be getting better for me, they seem to be getting worse (Sleep wise) My machine shows AHI levels at 2-4 per hour.

Any ideas, suggestions ?

[track]

An AHI of 2-4 is considered in the normal range for the general population. I have a hard time believing 2 to 4 10-15 second events over an hour period is causing any issues. That's roughly 30 seconds of apnea or hypoapneas in a 60 minute period or less than 1/100 th of your time asleep. In other words 99% of your sleep time is without apnea events. I would look else where for the answers to your tiredness....but that's just me and I am certainly no doctor.

[greenham]

Avg 90% pressure 8.8
Ave Pressure 7.7
Avg non-responsive 0.0
Avg Obstructive Apnea Index 1.2
Avg Hypotnia index 2.4
Avg AHI 3.6
Avg Flow limitations 1.0
Avg Vibratory Snore 5.3
Avg Mask Leak 119.3
Avg 90% leak 43.8
Avg Leak 38.8
Avg Large Leak .07 sec

I bumped up my starting pressure to 8 and Max to 12

Also went to Dr. He is doing full blood and Urine work up.

[Woody]

I have a similar problem that I traced back to changing from Lipitor to
Simvistatin a few months back. It seems this statin can mess up your sleep
it sure did mess up my sleep. I started to feel like I just had to sleep 10 to
12 hours a day. Sleeping this much I let my exercise realy slide. The doc just perscribed Provigil for my daytime drousyness but with no insurance I don't think I will be taking this $320 a month drug!! I am goin to try getting a lot more exercise this helped me in the past and in my case
it may be either exercise 30 -45min a day or take a $10+ a day pill to feal
good. Thank you drug company for the kick in the ass!!!