What is a good AHI?

[letmezzz]

Hello, I have been on CPAP for a week now and I am trying to figure out what to focus on? I guess it is my AHI? Pre CPAP is was 9.7 and now with my machine the range this week is 0.40 to 1.74. What is acceptable? I have read about people changing the pressures....the DME set the machine with a ramp from 6 for 10 - 20. Should I change something? I only sleep about 3.5-5 hours a day. Since having the CPAP I definitely feel better! Thanks!

[LSAT]

Under 5.0 is considered good if you are feeling better. If you are not sleeping well you may need an adjustment...Your numbers are very good.

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

Generally AHI less than 5 is considered the line where the line is drawn as to acceptable therapy. Obviously what you report is well under that number. Where are you getting this number? Software or off the machine? If you have the PR System One machine there is easily obtainable software to see more than the AHI. Check my signature line for information on the software.

Could you please look at the machine you have chosen in your profile and the machine you really have. The machine you have chosen has been discontinued for many years and it is unlikely that model is supplied. Robysue was kind enough to put together a thread about the confusing names that Respironics machines have.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=72302&p=665360&hili ... cs#p665360

I suspect you probably have a PR System One Remstar.....model...similar to what I show in my profile but a different model.

Based on your reported AHI.....no need to change anything unless you are having a problem.

[archangle]

5 is the "benchmark" number, but it's not like you die if it's 6, and are healthy if it's 4.

As far as AHI tells you, you're doing excellently. Don't worry unless you have other problems.

Unfortunately, there's no one number that tells all. If you only have one apnea an hour (AHI of 1), but it lasts for 3 minutes and nearly kills you every hour and wakes you up, apnea is still a problem. AHI will still score it as one apnea. You could also have an 11 second hypopnea 10 times an hour that doesn't do you any real harm at all, and you'd have an AHI of 11.

Do you really have the ancient REMstar Pro2 CPAP machine, or does it say "Philips Respironics" on it? If it says "Philips," you have the PRS1 Pro machine, and you can get software that will give you a lot more data.

Is there some particular reason you only get 3-5 hours a night?

[VVV]

What is a good AHI?

One that obeys the Ten Commandments and keeps his side of the room clean?



Seriously,

I only sleep about 3.5-5 hours a day.

That is very unhealthy. Why are you sleeping so little?

[letmezzz]

I had the wrong machine and humidifier in my profile, I changed it to the correct ones. Thank goodness for pictures! I downloaded Sleepyhead to get the information.

I have worked nightshift for the last 15 years so I am accustomed to getting by with 4 to 5 hrs sleep a day with a 1/2 nap before work. In the last week I have not needed my nap. On my days off I stay on the same sleep schedule so I do not mess with my body. I had found in the beginning going back and forth I would fell terrible. So now I stay up on the nights I am off.

[robysue]

I guess it is my AHI? Pre CPAP is was 9.7 and now with my machine the range this week is 0.40 to 1.74. What is acceptable?

With AHI's like that, you don't need to be focusing on reducing the AHI further. Hence there's no good reason for fiddling around with the pressure in my opinion.

I only sleep about 3.5-5 hours a day. Since having the CPAP I definitely feel better! Thanks!

Given the good AHI and the fact that you're feeling better, you simply need to work on relaxing and enjoying the fact that you are feeling better. If you really feel compeled to "work" on something, then I'd say the thing you need to focus on at this point is trying to get your sleep time up to whatever is "normal" for you. And making CPAP become a habit. In other words, work on getting to the point where you automatically put the mask on when you go to bed without giving it too much thought.

And congratulations on being one of the lucky ones who takes to CPAP like a duck to water!

[letmezzz]

I put it on as soon as I get in bed. I do not what to have a stroke or die, I have 4 kids, so if wearing a mask to sleep helps me I am all for it!

I was a little nervous a first because I am claustrophobic but I just closed my eyes and focused. My husband is supportive and said I have been nicer too...lol

[archangle]

I suspect you have a PRS1 machine, but not the "PLUS" model. Be sure to take the water tank out before you move the machine. Then look next to the display and see if it says something like "REMstar PRO...." or "REMstar Auto..." and tell it what it says. Or look on the bottom for a sticker with a label and a number like 450P, 550P, etc.

The PLUS model doesn't collect any data other than the time when you have it turned on.

Sorry finding the right model is so difficult, but it makes a big difference in what you can do in terms of figuring out how well your treatment is going.

[Pugsy]

You have AHI data on the screen. So you don't have the PR S1 CPAP Plus with cflex plus. which shows now in you profile ..it offers no data and you wouldn't see an AHI number on it if you had that machine

I suspect you just chose the wrong machine in your profile..they all sort of look a like.
I imagine you have one of these..probably the first one
PR System One Remstar Pro CPAP with CFlex is model #DS450
PR System One Remstar Auto cpap with AFlex is model # DS550
Model number on a sticker on the bottom

[wong]

I am using the CPAP past four days and AHI was 5, 5, 15 and 9. Please explain why has the daily difference for AHI.

Do I need to make any change?

[Julie]

Very possibly, but without anything to go by, it's impossible to say what. Register on the forum, then click on User Ctl Panel just under the main logo. Hit Profile and fill in the full name (as many identifiers as possible) of your machine, mask type and pressure settings as possible, and use text, not icons please. Start a new thread and ask your question again - this one's old and you want your question to be paid attention to I'm sure - and the info you fill in will auto. appear under your note so we all have an idea what you're working with.

Do you happen, btw, to sleep on your back? Do you feel your mask is leaking to some extent?