HYPOPNEAS............need input please

[mdpooch]

I have been keeping an eye on the hypopneas I have every night, It seems I have very few Apneas, but a ton of hypopneas and it seems to be linked to leaks. I wear the 2 inch blue painters tape but have blow outs because its gets moist at night any suggestions?

[Julie]

Have you tried a full face mask lately? There are various kinds out there and they're more effective than 'just' tape (have used both). I think most of us register more hypopneas, but I don't know if it's something to worry much about, except that if you have leak problems I imagine dealing with those would help things all around.

[Gerald]

Pooch......

What pressures are you running?

Also, Rested Gal said something about one particular brand of CPAP seemed to "over report" hypopneas......like "double" what another brand reports. Do a little research on that or send RG a PM and she can tell you where to look.

My initial thought is that you might have to raise your pressure a bit....and work on how you apply the tape....but, without knowing your pressures, I can't comment with any certainty.

[robertmarilyn]

Pooch......
Also, Rested Gal said something about one particular brand of CPAP seemed to "over report" hypopneas......like "double" what another brand reports. Do a little research on that or send RG a PM and she can tell you where to look.

RG was talking about the ResMed machines, which is the brand that Pooch has...so divide the HI's by two and then take the new number of HI's and add the AI's to it to get the AHI figure.

[bap40]

A while ago someone on this board said not to worry over these. They are wanna-be apnea's and if you take care of the apnea's the hypo's will get lower also. It made sense to me and I just don't even count them anymore. If they are the results of leaks as most of my apnea's and hypo's are then dealing with those if possible will help also. I just have not been able to get my leaks down far enough no matter what I try. They are always there during the night.

Good luck,
Brooke

[hummer3d]

Make sure you have the correct size of nasal pillow. I started out with a large pillow on my swift lt and had many leaks , but then switched to a medium pillow with no leaks . so try a smaller pillow.

[Gerald]

Pooch.....

I differ with Brooke a little bit.....in that I think Hypopneas are significant....from the standpoint of O2 saturation.

The whole reason for CPAP therapy is to prevent suffocation....low O2 levels in our bloodstream. Because Hypopneas are "baby apneas" or "apnea wanna-bees"....they're bound to have an effect on O2 saturation levels.....if there are enough of them.

About the only way to know....for sure....what's happening....is to hook yourself up to a recording Oximeter.....and look at the nightly print-outs over a period of a couple of weeks.

Without an Oximeter, about all you can do is limit the apneas and hypopneas as much as possible with your CPAP machine....and hope that low AHI scores are indicative of high O2 levels in your bloodstream.

Gerald

[Wulfman]

I have been keeping an eye on the hypopneas I have every night, It seems I have very few Apneas, but a ton of hypopneas and it seems to be linked to leaks. I wear the 2 inch blue painters tape but have blow outs because its gets moist at night any suggestions?

You didn't say what kind of "numbers" you're seeing. The thing with ResMed machines is that they lump "Flow Limitations" (partial hypopneas) in with Hypopneas and that's what increases the Hypopnea numbers.

Den

[Gerald]

Pooch......

I'm using 3M #8020 Painter's tape 2" wide......and I add a layer of "panty-hose-tights" (actually a "leg") on top of the tape. The pressure of the tights-leg helps the adhesive seal.....and help prevent blow-outs.....but doesn't change the gentle release in the morning.

Also, I've found that if I use a piece of tape about 10" long with 1/2" fold-down "release handles" at each end, I do better.

Finally, I've found that if I apply the tape...first, to the mouth area....and then work outward....one side and then the other.....I get better sealing.

I had a little "blow-out" last night....but still was able to achieve a 0.5 AHI.

Gerald

[Kiralynx]

A while ago someone on this board said not to worry over these. They are wanna-be apnea's and if you take care of the apnea's the hypo's will get lower also. It made sense to me and I just don't even count them anymore. If they are the results of leaks as most of my apnea's and hypo's are then dealing with those if possible will help also. I just have not been able to get my leaks down far enough no matter what I try. They are always there during the night.

Brooke,

Hypopneas matter. I have almost no apneas... but plenty of hypopneas. If the hypopneas get above a given level, I hurt., Lower hypopneas... I don't.