AHI higher on CPAP therapy?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
dukenilnil
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2011 1:55 pm

AHI higher on CPAP therapy?

Post by dukenilnil » Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:16 am

Only been using CPAP for 4 nights, but 3 of the 4 nights, my AHI numbers on the machine have been higher than in my studies.
I've had 3 studies. AHI of 1.5 (most recent), 4.5, and 7.5 (oldest) in the 3 studies.
4 Nights with CPAP: 4.5, 7.5, 9.5, and 31.5. I've probably only averaged 3 hours per night on the machine.

Is this just getting used to cpap or is it set wrong? I did not have a night titration study because insurance isn't covering it as the most recent study didn't have significant AHI (although all 3 sleep study nights were atypical).

Thanks.

User avatar
LSAT
Posts: 13346
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: AHI higher on CPAP therapy?

Post by LSAT » Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:41 am

dukenilnil wrote:Only been using CPAP for 4 nights, but 3 of the 4 nights, my AHI numbers on the machine have been higher than in my studies.
I've had 3 studies. AHI of 1.5 (most recent), 4.5, and 7.5 (oldest) in the 3 studies.
4 Nights with CPAP: 4.5, 7.5, 9.5, and 31.5. I've probably only averaged 3 hours per night on the machine.

Is this just getting used to cpap or is it set wrong? I did not have a night titration study because insurance isn't covering it as the most recent study didn't have significant AHI (although all 3 sleep study nights were atypical).

Thanks.
3 studies and no titration? What type of 'studies'?

dukenilnil
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2011 1:55 pm

Re: AHI higher on CPAP therapy?

Post by dukenilnil » Sat Aug 06, 2011 8:26 am

3 overnight sleep studies. I have serious sleep issues that have not fully been figured out. After the first (7.5 AHI) CPAP was recommended but I decided against it. 2 years later, sleep still bad, decided to have another study and it came back with too low of AHI to recommend CPAP so I was out of luck. Last one, even with the lower AHI, the doctor thought CPAP would help based on history and very heavy snoring. So I went with it this time. Problem is, none of my issues manifested in any of the studies so I have not had a true sleep study.
That is a bit off topic though. I am just wondering why my AHI numbers on CPAP therapy are higher (and in one case significantly higher) than any of the studies.

Mary Z
Posts: 1493
Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:55 am

Re: AHI higher on CPAP therapy?

Post by Mary Z » Sat Aug 06, 2011 8:40 am

For one thing only three hours a night on the machine in not a fair trial. You need to use the machine all night every night to get reliable AHI readings. Are you having symptoms besides snoring? Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. You may have positional apnea and need to be careful not to sleep on your back.
Good luck

_________________
Mask: Wisp Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear - Fit Pack
Additional Comments: PR System One Remstar BiPap Auto AS Advanced.
Dog is my copilot

User avatar
archangle
Posts: 9293
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 11:55 am

Re: AHI higher on CPAP therapy?

Post by archangle » Sat Aug 06, 2011 12:17 pm

Are you sleeping for most of the hours covered by the AHI readings? AHI readings are pretty meaningless if you're lying there awake.

4 nights is not really much time to get adjusted and have "meaningful" results.

What's your pressure? Does your machine indicate a leak rate?

_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead, PRS1 Auto, Respironics Auto M series, Legacy Auto, and Legacy Plus
Please enter your equipment in your profile so we can help you.
Click here for information on the most common alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.

Useful Links.

dukenilnil
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2011 1:55 pm

Re: AHI higher on CPAP therapy?

Post by dukenilnil » Sun Aug 07, 2011 7:56 pm

No leak rate I think. It was weird though, one time I woke up in the morning and it showed the 30's AHI and a 30 leak rate, but them I checked later in the day (without sleeping more) and the leak rate was back to 0% and AHI was down to 8.5.

I'll give it some more time to get more data.

User avatar
jmcanzo
Posts: 219
Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:56 pm
Location: Michigan

Re: AHI higher on CPAP therapy?

Post by jmcanzo » Mon Aug 08, 2011 5:49 am

Your profile shows a Intellipap. Make sure you unplug it from the wall and plug it back in right before bed to reset the 12hr clock. This could be why your data is off. You only need to reset it once in awhile not every night