Newbie-AHI Dropping

[jefff]

Hello, all. I am new to the forum, as well as new to CPAP. My wife used a CPAP years ago, then stopped. Now I find out that I have SA and need one. So I have the sleep study. I fall asleep around 11pm. The guy comes in at around 1am and says that I'm having one apnea after another, and that they aren't supposed to let my O2 levels fall below 90, and mine is dropping to 80. So he immediately puts a mask on me, and I sleep the rest of the night great. So now, I have had my machine for almost a month. When I first looked at my AHI 30 day average it was 22. I can't remember what the 7 day was. It has been steadily dropping, and as of today, the 30 day average is 12, and my 7 day average is 6. I am running 13 cm/H20 pressure. I am not sleepy all the time like I was...actually, now I am having problems falling asleep at night. It is like I get in a state of half asleep, and stay that way for awhile, then get up and walk around a little, then go back to bed and eventually fall asleep and don't get up till morning. I am also starting to suffer with restless leg syndrome when I go to bed, until I fall asleep. Anyone else have this problem? What did you do?

We are also checking with our insurance to see if my wife can get a new machine as hers is old and doesn't have a humidifer. I hope she starts using it again. She stopped due to sinus infections and such where the old machine was drying her out. My insurance pays 100%, and does it as a rental, then after a year, the machine is mine. I THINK I can get a new mask every 6 months, and maybe a new machine every 5 or 6 years, so I am hoping she can get a new, more modern one, like I have.

Thanks to all, and this is a great and very helpful site.

Jeff

[Otter]

Welcome to the forum, Jeff. It sounds like you're making good progress. You may want to get Encore Pro or SleepyHead and take a closer look at your data.

Your wife can get a standalone humidifier to go with her old machine. The Fisher & Paykel HC150 was recommended to me, and I would have bought one if my used S9 hadn't come with an integrated humidifier. A standalone takes up a bit more room, but the nice thing about it is that you can put a filter between the machine and humidifier that is superior to the intake filters. If the humidifier is attached directly to your machine, the only place to put one of these filters is after the humidifier, and this is problematic because the filters are hyrdophillic.

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

Your on screen data 7 and 30 day AHI averages make it hard to see what is going on from a single night. Takes a substantial change to show up even in the 7 day average. There is more information available to you with software.
Check your PM box for some software options information.

[jefff]

Pugsy, thanks for the info. I have the software, but haven't had time to look at it yet. My 7 day average is now 3.9 and 30 day is 11.9, so it is still going down. I think I have found that in order to fall asleep quickly, I may need to use the "ramp up" feature. I have used it for 2 nights now, and fell asleep quickly both times. Thanks for the info! This site is great!

[jefff]

Well, used the "ramp up" feature again last night. Fell asleep quickly, so I think that is the key to my falling asleep problem. My wife said that she thought they told me not to use that unless I absolutely had to, but I don't remember anyone saying that. Does that sound right? Is it bad to use that feature? My AHI averages are now 3.4 7 day, and 11.4 30 day, so they are still dropping. A lot better than the 22 I first had. Thanks.

[Pugsy]

Use the ramp if it helps you fall asleep easier and quicker. That is what it's there for. As time goes by and with adjustment you may get to the point where you don't need it. If not, that is okay too.

[diane278]

I was also diagnosed with restless leg syndrome during my sleep study. I am taking a medicine for it and it has helped. I also suffer from sinus problems and fear getting an infection from this whole set-up. I do have a humidifier on my machine and I am absolutely anal about cleaning the reservoir and tube each morning. I use a vinegar/water combination once a week and an antibacterial soap daily. I also run the machine afterwards without water and with the hose hooked up in order to dry out the hose within 30 minutes. So far, I haven't had any problems (I've been using the CPAP for a year).

[pap4life]

Congrats on the good news. now, it just complaince. Encourage your wife to re-try the CPAP .

[Perrybucsdad]

Well, used the "ramp up" feature again last night. ... My wife said that she thought they told me not to use that unless I absolutely had to, but I don't remember anyone saying that. Does that sound right? Is it bad to use that feature? My AHI averages are now 3.4 7 day, and 11.4 30 day, so they are still dropping. A lot better than the 22 I first had. Thanks.

If the ramp feature makes you more comfortable and helps you with compliance, than use it. I use mine, but normally have it set to ramp for just 5 minutes. For me that's enough to get me comfortable and on my way to sleep-land.