Can't get under 5 AHI on BiPap Auto.

[FFOGHORN]

Hello, folks. This is my very first post! I have been reading through many of the other entries, and this website is an absolute godsend! I love how there is so little nastiness compared to many other forums.

Anyway, I have kind of a broad question: should I expect to achieve an AHI below 5, or is that sometimes just not possible for some people?

I feel better than I did, but after 6 months worth of BiPap I still feel a little tired during the day. When my machine is set to Auto, my pressures are set at 13/6 with a PS (pressure support) of 4. When viewing my data, the highest IPAP I've seen is 12.7 and the EPAP hovers around 7.

Thanks!

Alan
(FFOGHORN)

[cflame1]

yes... you should be able to get it under 5.

do you sleep all night or are you waking up?

[Wulfman]

Are those your prescribed pressures? (if not, what are they?)
What software are you using? (or is someone downloading your card for you?)
Is your AHI made up of primarily Apneas or Hypopneas? If Apneas, you would want to move your EPAP pressure up. Increase IPAP for reducing Hypopneas.

Are there any other conditions that need to be mentioned? Any GERD or acid reflux? Aerophagia? (swallowing air)


Den

[jules]

what was your original diagnosis and were there mixed or central apneas during titration?

[FFOGHORN]

Thanks for responding cflame1 and Wulfman.

I do sleep pretty soundly through the night, but that's generally with the help of a Xanax and/or Melatonin.

I have had a fairly checkered road with sleep doctors! My first sleep doctor retired. I had a professional sleep study conducted, for which I paid cash. It was supposed to be a split night study, but after they woke me up to fit the mask, I couldn't fall asleep again. They could not reach my doctor, and he had failed to leave a prescription for a sleeping aid. I was told I would have to come back for another night, which I couldn't afford. The doctor then guessed at 9 and put me on a CPAP, which he ultimately brought up to 11. My compliance was terrible, as I found the CPAP unbearable.

My new doctor prescribed an auto bi-pap in conjunction with the Mirage II mask. I love the new equipment, and my compliance has been 100% for 6 months. I couldn't afford the machine and another sleep study, so he thought the auto titrating machine was the next best thing. The AHI is between 5 and 7 every night. The apneas are averaging 2-4 and the hypopneas are averaging 3-5. I have no other conditions except mild reflex which is treated with Prilosec.

I just kind of thought that the whole purpose of an auto machine is to find the best balance throughout the night. I think the doctor recommended the pressures as above and below my original CPAP pressure, which was a guess in itself. He has narrowed the band a bit after viewing data from the Smart Card. I also hae Encore Pro version 1.6 that I bought with my first machine.

Thanks, again. It's nice to know that I'm not alone in this!!!

[spookydoo]

Hello, folks. This is my very first post! I have been reading through many of the other entries, and this website is an absolute godsend! I love how there is so little nastiness compared to many other forums.

Anyway, I have kind of a broad question: should I expect to achieve an AHI below 5, or is that sometimes just not possible for some people?

I feel better than I did, but after 6 months worth of BiPap I still feel a little tired during the day. When my machine is set to Auto, my pressures are set at 13/6 with a PS (pressure support) of 4. When viewing my data, the highest IPAP I've seen is 12.7 and the EPAP hovers around 7.

Thanks!

Alan
(FFOGHORN)

You are not alone. I am having trouble also getting it consistently below 5. Some people feel great with anything under 5. I feel terrible with anything higher than the low 2's.

[GumbyCT]

My ahi is usu. under 1. Are you using the ramp?

If you know how to - list all of your machine settings here.

[ozij]

I would suspect the Xanax too - it's a benzodiazepine which may be contributing both to your apneas, and you daytime tiredness.
I am not a doctor, nor anything in medical field.
Read some of these paper: http://www.benzo.org.uk/profash.htm

Welcome to the fourm, and good luck!
O.

[Portageegal]

I "sleep" all night, but never come close to 5. I have tried everything. Good luck.