Zero apneas?

[sifr]

is it possible to get to zero apnea events?

I ask because I've increased my pressure to 13, and with this new mask, I had 1 apnea the entire night last night (8:54 sleep). My hypopneas were still high, for an AHI of 5.2 (AI 0.1, HI 5.1). Leak average and median of 0.0.

My previous best was 3, also with this new mask.



Prior to this mask and pressure, I'd have dozens per night, both at a fixed rate of 12.6, and at APAP 12.0-15.0.

[Pugsy]

is it possible to get to zero apnea events?

In nearly 5 months I had one night with zero apneas and no hypopneas either
6 hours of sleep. Probably was just a fluke but it was nice to see at least once.

[SuperGeeky]

I'm just very cynical when this happens... By the way, it happened last night I almost feel that I didn't enter my Sleep Stages at all. Or, I wasn't relaxed.

When the Encore Report is out of the ordinary, I just ask myself, how do you feel?? Clear head, muscles feel refreshed. I have duration on tasks during the day and no excessive daytime sleepiness.

Though, this rarely happens, if it was continuous, I'd have the BiPap examined. Or, I could be examined Either one!!


Sleep well and prosperous,

SG

[sifr]

I'm just very cynical when this happens... By the way, it happened last night I almost feel that I didn't enter my Sleep Stages at all. Or, I wasn't relaxed.

When the Encore Report is out of the ordinary, I just ask myself, how do you feel?? Clear head, muscles feel refreshed. I have duration on tasks during the day and no excessive daytime sleepiness.

Though, this rarely happens, if it was continuous, I'd have the BiPap examined. Or, I could be examined Either one!!


Sleep well and prosperous,

SG

Yeah, when it happened last night, I felt like I blacked out rather than slept. I'm sure I had dreams, but it was like I closed my eyes, then woke right back up. Still felt well-rested, though.

[cv66er]

I get them occasionally, but I've lost 35 pounds.

[SuperGeeky]

I get them occasionally, but I've lost 35 pounds.

Congratulations cc66vr, that's wonderful!! I lost 40 lbs and we moved recently. All the chaos and stress, put some of it back on again. What really helped a lot was a web site fitday.com

You get a 'free card' to a Sleep Study. My old Doctor's office, sleep study for every ten pounds lost

Sleep well and prosper,

SG

[kteague]

You sleeping so well could have been because your therapy was working better for you. I get 0.0 AHI nights sometimes - don't do anything different to get them, just happens and I don't even know it till I download my data a few weeks later. Hopefully low numbers and good sleep will become the norm for you.

[jweeks]

Hi,

As I posted elsewhere, I had 2 difficult nights last week due to a cold. Then I had a long night where I got caught back up on sleep. The next night was one of those near perfect nights--7 hours of sleep, no AI's, and I woke up feeling like I did 20 years ago ready to take on the world. It is nice when everything comes together and the machine really works.

-john-

[Autopapdude]

There is definitely an obsession with zero AHIs. According to my 10 years of experience, and my doctor, zero AHI situations are rare and unrealistic. The goal of Cpap treatment is to REDUCE respiratory events, and bring them as close to normal as possible. I do think that some folks have set an impossible goal to maintain an AHI index that is not indicative of the success of their treatment, and when they don't achieve it, they freak out and wildly adjust machines. My doctor and the sleep center reiterated to me that LOWERING the AHI to an acceptable range (zero to 5 events/ hr) is a significant gain in respiratory control, and aspiring to perfection is counter productive. His opinion is that the machines are not anywhere as sensitive as those in sleep labs, and given that apnea is a varying condition from night to night, there will be variances. (e.g. Did you drink coffee, or have a glass of wine before bed? Are you sleeping on your side or back? Are you worried about something?) Obviously, if one has an AHI of 30, it means that the treatment plan needs to be revisited. However, if one feels better, sleeps longer, and has a few events that the machine is dealing with, then Cpap therapy is successful. His comment is that "software given to patients often worries them more than it is worth." I do believe that he meant that we should be well aware of our conditions, but not obsess over every aspect of the AHI index, and how many events one gets.

[tattooyu]

I totally agree with autopapdude. No longer do I obsess about getting zero apneas.

Does it happen? Yes.

Do I feel better? Not all the time!

Last night I had roughly three apneas the whole night, and I feel better today than I did yesterday when I had only one apnea the night before. It also has to do with oxygen levels. If you have two events that drop your O2 really low, I guarantee you will feel worse than if you had 5 or 6 and your O2 levels drop minimally.

What you should ask yourself (or your doctor) about your therapy is: How do I feel?

[briank]

It's not unheard of for me to have 0 or 1 obstructive and 2-5 centrals in 6.5 to 8 hours of sleep, according to my Sandman. But so far at least, it's not on a consistent basis.

[SuperGeeky]

It also has to do with oxygen levels. If you have two events that drop your O2 really low, I guarantee you will feel worse than if you had 5 or 6 and your O2 levels drop minimally.

Thank you so much Tatooyu, I couldn't say it better myself!! Stated bluntly, "It's the oxygen Stupid".


We need a "Here's a picture of your Heart and Brain on Sleep Apnea" campaign. That would wake people up


SG

[Lou Cypher]

So how do you know how you are doing with oxygen? I see a space for it on the software but don't know how to get the info..

[SuperGeeky]

So how do you know how you are doing with oxygen? I see a space for it on the software but don't know how to get the info..

Oximeter! They have become cheaper. The Wise Ones will tell you to borrow one from your DME. It's a 'Good Will' campaign, borrow it for a night or two and have peace of mind.

I think that merits much common sense. Now, a decent Oximeter that monitors over night is roughly $200 bucks. Generates reports etc....

Just search for Oximeter on this Forum, lot's of info and debate on getting one and what type...

Sleep well and prosperous....

SG

[Lou Cypher]

So how do you know how you are doing with oxygen? I see a space for it on the software but don't know how to get the info..

Oximeter! They have become cheaper. The Wise Ones will tell you to borrow one from your DME. It's a 'Good Will' campaign, borrow it for a night or two and have peace of mind.

I think that merits much common sense. Now, a decent Oximeter that monitors over night is roughly $200 bucks. Generates reports etc....

Just search for Oximeter on this Forum, lot's of info and debate on getting one and what type...

Sleep well and prosperous....

SG

So this Oximeter can be read by my S8 II and then downloaded to the card and read by my software???