Covid and AHI

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
tiggy
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Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2021 9:27 am

Covid and AHI

Post by tiggy » Wed Aug 10, 2022 4:49 am

I have used CPAP for many years and for the past several, my AHI has generally been around 3 or so. I tested positive for covid last Monday and had a dry cough, stuffy nose, and a fever (highest 102.1). I continued to used CPAP and my numbers were in the normal range. I started paxlovid on Friday morning although there were indications that the covid might be resolving on its own (my temp returned to normal and symptoms began abating) through its normal course. I was sick--like with the flu--but never seriously sick. I never once had breathing problems of any kind at all. I was symptom-free by yesterday and even tested negative.
My question is this: for the last two nights my AHI has been very high for me...12 two nights ago and 19 last night. It seems unlikely to be related to covid and I can find nothing suggesting a connection but I can't help but wonder. Maybe it's just the exhaustion from being sick for a week (I know my AHI goes up when I am exhausted and sleep more deeply than normal.) Thanks all!

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Julie
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Re: Covid and AHI

Post by Julie » Wed Aug 10, 2022 5:08 am

Could be the Covid (even if not obviously so), or the meds, or or or... give it a few days to see how things go, and do Oscar (see Stickies) to post here for experts' interpretation and suggestions.

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Pugsy
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Re: Covid and AHI

Post by Pugsy » Wed Aug 10, 2022 6:40 am

General rule is we don't really worry about AHI while we are suffering from any upper respiratory infection/illness.
That was the rule long before Covid.
Various reasons for the flagged events being more related to just crappy sleep or coughing or nasal congestion or whatever.

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tiggy
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Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2021 9:27 am

Re: Covid and AHI

Post by tiggy » Mon Aug 15, 2022 10:52 am

I thought I should close the loop here. Thanks to those who replied.

It appears that Pugsy nailed it, though. There was one more night of a high (for me) AHI of 12+. But then things started settling back to normal. I've had some "normal" variation but all told, lately my numbers have dropped back below 5 on a regular basis. It appears that although I may not have been aware of it, there was enough of a lingering problem in my breathing that it affected the AHI. I finished Paxlovid and tested negative, both on 8/9. And, fortunately, the AHI has now settled back too. I can still imagine all kinds of potential problems with Covid affecting AHI, but at least in my case, the problems are over.

Again, many thanks for the replies. I do appreciate it.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask: Puritan Bennett Breeze (nasal pillows)