Intro and Who here has AHI 100+?

[geoDoug]

From my split night study:

AHI (untreated) = 106.4
AHI (treated) = 13.6

[geoDoug]

From my split night study:

AHI (untreated) = 106.4
AHI (treated) = 13.6

I should elaborate:

Untreated sleep study April 2003: 8.9
Treated sleep study October 2003: 0.0
Pressure = 6cm H20

Split night study December 2009:
AHI (untreated) = 106.4
AHI (treated) = 13.6
Pressure = 12cm H20

It's gotten just a tad worse in the last 6+ years.

[sleepywolverine]

Welcome!!

My AHI was 147. My pressure is 19/15.

[JohnBFisher]

... I'm 44 and I have been accused of snoring LOUDLY since I was in my late teens early twenties. ...

I tell the story of finally deciding I needed to do something about my sleep and the snoring. I knew it was loud, but hey! how loud could it be? Well one night I stopped breathing and suddenly snored so loudly that my children woke up screaming. Now, when you snoring is known you terrify women (you should have seen the look on my wife's face! Wowser!) and children ... when then you snore LOUDLY.

But yup! We all understand.

... Just curious how many people here are in the 100+ club? My AHI is 126.6 OS was 65 ( No Kidding!) ...

Not quite that high. About 90+ at diagnosis.

... Doc says Im lucky I have not had brain damage... or maybe I have! ...

My wife keeps asking if those stupid ideas are a result of the brain damage. I reassure that I'm just lucky to be born this way!

... So with that comment I guess you can tell Im a full mask kinda guy. ...

Yup. It took me a long time to learn to talk with a nasal mask or nasal pillows. But it's much easier with the full face mask.

So, welcome. Glad you joined into the mix. Sounds as if you are doing well on your journey.

[parastino49]

I'm a member with an AHI of 114 per hour. When I found out just what a number that high can mean I was completely shocked. I've gotten the AHI down to 63.2 average weekly and 58.7 average monthly, or so says my respironecs data. I have a respironecs/Remstar Auto with A flex model M with heated humidifier. also I have to make use of 3 liters oxygen with my cpap treatment in order to prevent heart damage. I use an Everflo Q concentrator for my oxygen needs. I use a Resmed quattro full face mask. I've only been using cpap for about two months. I hope my number keep dropping. Here's to lower AHI's for everyone.

[JohnBFisher]

... Another Intro. ...

So, welcome again!

... I've also been accused of loud snoring and not breathing in my sleep since my 20's. 45 yrs old now. Had a sleep study in April/09 . ...

Yup. You came to the right place. My snoring has literally been known to terrify women and children. Just ask my wife and kids!

... RDI / AHI in supine position 130
AHI non supine 55.4
Among other issues.

Using S8 Autoset II.
settings 4-10 cm H2O Auto, EPR=2,
Ultra Mirage II nasal mask.

Average AHI on CPAP approx: 3.5 ...

WOW! Talk about an improvement!!

... Cpap seems to be working very well for me, have software and card reader on order so I should be able to track things a bit better than with a simple database and LCD readouts, once they arrive. ...

Yup. Monitoring how things are doing can help a lot. I had LOTS of problems with a high leak rate. Of course I did not know it. Once I saw the graphs, I started to adjust my mask. Now it's much better. So is my sleep. But I also switched to a new machine that ramps the pressure upto 20+ cm H2O. So, the increased leak rate got to be a REAL issue. But if you can't see it, you don't know.

... See below. Chart at bottom are more recent readouts from LCD in Autoset II. ...

Hmmm... Are you doing anything about the PLMD? Any medications? That can also help improve your sleep. Remember you should try to avoid anything that causes an arousal (moving from deeper to lighter sleep). And PLMD is one of those things. If your limbs jerk about and move while you sleep it can arouse you just the same as the obstructive sleep apnea.

Anyway, congrats on the successful use of CPAP!

[JohnBFisher]

I'm a member with an AHI of 114 per hour. When I found out just what a number that high can mean I was completely shocked. I've gotten the AHI down to 63.2 average weekly and 58.7 average monthly, or so says my respironecs data. I have a respironecs/Remstar Auto with A flex model M with heated humidifier. also I have to make use of 3 liters oxygen with my cpap treatment in order to prevent heart damage. I use an Everflo Q concentrator for my oxygen needs. I use a Resmed quattro full face mask. I've only been using cpap for about two months. I hope my number keep dropping. Here's to lower AHI's for everyone.

Greetings !! Welcome to this slightly goofy place. You'll see lots of banter, occasional bickering, and lots of folks usng humor to try to cope with their situations.

Next ... Bummer that your AHI is so high (and remains really high). It's better, but we really need to work on getting it even lower. Sounds as if your doctor is also concerned about it.

So, may I offer some suggestions.

First of all, read and learn as much as you can. Living with OSA can be daunting. If you are going to learn to manage your therapy (to help reduce the AHI numbers), then you will need to learn. Learn a lot. Think of it as a new hobby for a bit. It makes it less intimidating. And having friends here helps you face it. You are definitely not alone.

Second, because of you current medical situation (and the need for oxygen), I would suggest you involve your healthcare team (respiratory therapist and/or doctor) before you adjust any pressure settings on your unit. Lots of people make such adjustments here. But if your oxygen levels drop low enough that you need O2 in addition to CPAP, you really should involve the team.

Third, do you also have a Pulse-Oximeter? A pulse-ox can help you monitor your O2 levels and heart rate. You might want to ask your doctor to prescribe one.

Finally, you will want the Encore Viewer software and a smartcard reader. For example:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle.php?BundleID=64

That will provide you a better view into your sleep issues. You can check to be certain if you have leak problems and snoring and ....

So, once again, welcome!

[JohnBFisher]

I'm a member with an AHI of 114 per hour. ...

By the way, you might want to edit your profile and add your equipment. Click on User Control Panel in the upper left. Select the second tab and the Edit Equipment ... I don't know the exact names, but you should be able to find it and your equipment. That will make it easier for other users to see what you have.

Cheers!