Suddenly High Numbers

[Puzzled]

My numbers have shot up from AHI in the 0.5 to 2.0 range up to the 7-8 range. I am not leaking. I recently have lost about 15-20 lbs

[cflame1]

20 pounds is usually enough of a weight change that you need to seriously look at changing your pressure... it's enough that it would send some folks back to the sleep lab. So I'm hoping that you have full data on your machine and can either tweak it yourself or ask for some help tweaking it. Don't assume that it has to go one way or the other.

[DoriC]

cflame, can you explain why weight loss itself might cause higher AHIs? I would think it would be the opposite? My husband is experiencing higher AHIs right now although no weight loss or any changes at all except for this heat wave we're having. Just wondering.

[Puzzled]

20 pounds is usually enough of a weight change that you need to seriously look at changing your pressure... it's enough that it would send some folks back to the sleep lab. So I'm hoping that you have full data on your machine and can either tweak it yourself or ask for some help tweaking it. Don't assume that it has to go one way or the other.

Do you mean LOWER the pressure? I have an auto machine and the pressure have been going higher than ever to go after the apneas. I am now at a lower weight than when I was diagnosed, and had a weight gain leading up to the original diagnosis

[Bobby269]

What unit are you using and do you have the software for it? You can be leaking and it can show up with the software, and you might not feel it. I replaced the cushion i for my mask and didn't get it properly adjusted. No leaks were felt and my AHI's went upward fast. The software showed the leak, fixed it and I was back down to 0.2 thatnight.

[pap4life]

When you say that you are not leaking. DO you mean that you don;t feel any leaks around the mask. You could have a split or hole in the hose!!

[cflame1]

I've seen folks report on here that their pressure needs go up... and some report that their pressure needs go down. There's no telling which way you'll need... other than looking at your data.

[Puzzled]

I am long time member Jason S. but having password problems.

I have REMStar A-Flex auto machine, pressure set 9-13, no indication of leaks, data shows AHI going from around 1.0 to 7.0 over a 2-3 week period of weight loss. I have lost nearly 20 lbs in 3 weeks. I am not feeling tired during the day though but concerned about high numbers.

[Puzzled]

OK, I changed my pressure from a range of 9-12 cm to a range of 10-14cm. Is there a danger in doing this? I don't understand why losing weight would necessitate higher pressure? I am at a lower weight than when diagnosed 3 years ago and it was the weight gain which sent me to the sleep lab in the first place.

[Puzzled]

I've seen folks report on here that their pressure needs go up... and some report that their pressure needs go down. There's no telling which way you'll need... other than looking at your data.

Pressure wants to go up, and did, it maxed out, according to the data.

[Jason S.]

Bump.

I raised my pressure. is this OK to do? I was 2.6 AHI last night but only 3 hours plus I had a large leak.

[cflame1]

should be fine... only thing that you risk if you keep an eye on the results... is a lecture from the doc or the DME

[Jason S.]

What unit are you using and do you have the software for it? You can be leaking and it can show up with the software, and you might not feel it. I replaced the cushion i for my mask and didn't get it properly adjusted. No leaks were felt and my AHI's went upward fast. The software showed the leak, fixed it and I was back down to 0.2 thatnight.

You should be able to see my info now. I was at 9-12 cm, now 10-14 cm. I did not show any leaks, but my mask is getting old, maybe 9 months now.

[Jason S.]

When you say that you are not leaking. DO you mean that you don;t feel any leaks around the mask. You could have a split or hole in the hose!!

I never considered a split hose, but wouldn't that result in a leak showing on the data?

I have ordered new supplies which should be here in a week or so.

[DoriC]

Hi Jason, nice to see you. Congrats on the weight loss but how did you lose 20lbs in 3wks? How are you feeling today with only 3hrs on cpap? We never get more than 5-6 months out of our UMFF and we're on our 4th month now with rising AHI, so I'm wondering if we're due for a new mask soon. Keep us posted.