Central Sleep Apnea affecting AHI

I have had my cpap machine for 6 weeks..still in the testing stage with all data going to my respirologist. Started with moderate sleep apnea AHI 21. After 6 weeks I feel comfortable with the mask and the air pressure (auto..6 -20),I think I am sleeping better and feel more rested BUT my AHI hovers between 7 and 10. We need to get that lower. The respirologist tells me that this is a result of the many central sleep apnea episodes I am having and that he expects the CA's to decrease the longer I am on the treatment...could take up to 3 months. Any body else had this issue? Hoping some of the experienced folks on this forum may be able to shed more light on the subject. I would appreciate your input. Thanks

It would be very desireable for you if you got your own software and could run off your own reports.
If you are having many central episodes that are not related to arousals that might be a concern. Only looking at the data can answer that question.

For your machine, Encore is the software available from Respironics but only for Windows machines.
For both Mac Os and Windows, SleepyHead is available.

They will both do the job.

When you are in the transition from wake to sleep or sleep to wake, it is common to have what the machine tags as a central event during this period and as such, they are meaningless. If that is what is happening, then they may very well go away as you get more attuned to your machine and the pressures are better tuned to your needs.

At this point, with your doctor watching, no need to get worried.

Hi Jackiep,

At this point, I would strongly follow JDS74 suggestion in getting your hand on a software like Sleepyhead and start looking in your own data and post some more detailed infos. He's right, no need to get worried yet and the fact you are sleeping better and feel more rested is a realy good sign. Take a look at Pugsy's pointers in the Announcements section for Sleepyhead infos.

Most CAs are a result of restlesness, frequent turning, frequent waking. They cannot be controlled with your CPAP pressure. The only concern with CA's is if they are in large numbers and in clusters. I'm guessing that you do not sleep through the night...once you do, the CAs should reduce.