How I might lower my AHI?

[JasonB]

I would love it if some of the pros here can review my SleepyHead data and make suggestions on how I might lower my AHI and reduce my fragmented sleep.

After 3 weeks of therapy I'm still waking up tired and so far haven't felt a benefit to wearing the mask etc. I feel that even though my AHI is relatively low — it hovers around 5 — I'm waking up a lot, far more than the 2 blocks indicate under Session Information in SleepyHead. I must have woken up 10 times adjusting the mask trying to get leaks to stop last night.

I'm using the SleepWeaver Anew, a FF mask. Had it almost 1 week and love it compared the the previous 2 masks I've had (Wisp and Amara). The mask I'm using has a leak rate of about 20 at my average pressure.

Thanks!

[Pugsy]

Probably a little more minimum pressure help reduce the OAs, hyponeas and flow limitations.

The CAs...those are centrals and changing the pressure won't fix those. I suspect that some of the CAs are likely awake breathing irregularities getting flagged (the machines doesn't know if you are awake or asleep and just measures air flow).
Take a look at the clusters and see if you think you might have been awake when those occurred.

I'm waking up a lot, far more than the 2 blocks indicate under Session Information in SleepyHead. I must have woken up 10 times adjusting the mask trying to get leaks to stop last night.

The fragmented sleep alone will make a person feel like total crap the next day....A person can have AHI 0.0 and still feel horrible if they slept horrible.
Finding the right mask is probably the hardest part to this therapy.

Your AHI...without the CAs...isn't bad at all. The FLs, snores and RERAs aren't horrible and reducing them along with the hyponea numbers is worth attempting but until you can sleep without waking up a gazillion times a night fiddling with the mask you aren't going to feel any good numbers you may get.. It isn't all about the AHI...it's about the quality of your sleep and the mask has a big impact on quality.

[JasonB]

Pugsy, your comments are very informative. Much appreciated!

Jason

[BlackSpinner]

It can take up to a month or more for your brain to accept that it is safe to sleep with this thing on your face according to my sleep doctor. It has spent many years trying to keep you alive while you sort off slept, keeping you from sleeping to deeply. It won't give up control that easily.

You might want to wear the whole thing while watching tv or playing video games and maybe it will relax its hyper vigilance.

[JasonB]

BlackSpinner, that's really interesting... and makes a ton of sense. I'll give wearing it during the day a shot. Thanks!

[drbuck]

If you lowered your AHI and you are still sleepy give it a little time. IF nothing still there are other factors that could make someone constantly tired in addition to sleep apnea. Vitamin D, Testosterone, and Iron deficiencies are all common sleepiness factors.

[cathyf]

I would add thyroid as another suspect when you feel like crap. It's incredibly common, especially as you hit middle age. You should ask your doc to check it. Then get your lab report and do some research, especially if they say it's fine you can look for yourself.