FINALLY!

Well, I saw my pulmonologist last Thursday and here are the results of my sleep study:
Apnea Hypopnea Index 42 (NOT A TYPO)
112 EVENTS IN 2.5 HRS. - 109 WERE OBSTRUCTIVE - 3 CENTRAL
57 arousals per hour.
My sleep time was split between Stage 1 and 2, with a slight venture into 3. No REM at all - not even close

Therapy: CPAP = Remstar Pro 2 / C-flex
10 cm H20
20 min ramp
Comfort Curve Mask

After therapy my AHi was 2, no events, and 4 arousals in 2.5 hrs. Still no REM though, and that concerns my doctor, because apneas tend to worsen during REM.

I've been working for my DME for 2 yeras and we've never had a pt with an AHI as high as mine. I've kinda been in panic mode ever since. I asked my boss who is an RT to level with me today and he said I was dangerously close to biting the bullet. Now if that doesn't make you want to be compliant, I don't know what would.

Did any of you guys have AHI that high? If so, please let me know how you are responding to treatment.

Thanks for being there guys, I plan to obsorb all I can from you guys.

stetsongirl,

Don't get too excited, my AHI was 57, my brother's was over 100. AHI of 46 is really not terribly high, but high enough. There are quite a few people on this board with AHI of more, some, much more than 46.

I have been on an APAP for a little over a week and am already starting to see improvements. before starting treatment, I would have these 'episodes', 2 or 3 times a day, where I would get so sleepy, it was a major battle just to keep my eyes open. That has not happened since the first night with my machine. It does take some getting used to, but it's really not too bad.

Hang in there, it's pretty cool when you start noticing these little changes in yourself.

Just wanted to add, the centrals may be a little worrisome and may need additonal treatment......others here can probably give you more info on that.

Boomer

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): AHI, APAP

Hi Stetsongirl,

My AHI was 78, so yours looks good to me! I was titrated at 14cm/H2O, and on straight CPAP at first, and have since purchased (on my own nickel) an APAP which is set from 10-17. I have been 100% compliant since January.

I do not consider it an option to ever go to sleep without my hose! There have been good and not so good days, but overall, I see an improvement. I don't fall asleep at work, I don't feel like if I don't get a nap that I can't make it through the afternoon, I have more energy. I still get tired, but a lot of it is not scheduling enough time to sleep! That is perfectly obvious when you monitor your software every morning! I am working on that -- I guess that I feel enough better that I stay up later -- like now!

You can do this -- it is important to take care of yourself! Read & ask questions here -- educate yourself and soon you will be the wise owl and give out good advice -- and you will feel so much better!

AHI of 112
Titrated at a pressure of 16 to get AHI below 5.
Without the CPAP, only stage 1 & 2 sleep.
With the CPAP, I did get some stage 3 and REM - still not normal amounts, though. And no stage 4 at all.
Debbie

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP, AHI

Boomer wrote:

Just wanted to add, the centrals may be a little worrisome and may need additonal treatment......others here can probably give you more info on that.

Stetsongirl:
I was pretty freaked about the centrals that showed on my sleep studies (more than 20 centrals during the course of the study.) I stopped being freaked when the sleep doc. and the docs that I work with (respirologists and critical care medicine intensivists) all told me that lots of us have a few centrals during the night. Further, the sleep study can actually cause some centrals because your body is not used to the increased air pressure; you can get hyper-oxygenated and not take a breath for a short period.

Stetsongirl wrote:

112 EVENTS IN 2.5 HRS. - 109 WERE OBSTRUCTIVE - 3 CENTRAL

You might want to ask your doctor about the centrals. Ask him/her how long each central lasted and, if he/she has any explanation for the centrals. I suspect that he/she will not be worried about the centrals but to ease your mind, ask questions and get answers.

Knowledge regarding your specific situation and options available to you will help alot. You will find lots of helpful, informed people on this forum; just keep asking questions.

Good luck!

I agree with WillSucceed:

You might want to ask your doctor about the centrals. ...<snipped>... I suspect that he/she will not be worried about the centrals but to ease your mind, ask questions and get answers.

For anyone interested in reading more about "centrals",
here are some links to posts about central apnea. Note especially the posts by "christinequilts", who has firsthand experience with pure central apnea and provides reassuring information. Also excellent reading -- the posts by -SWS, who understands the workings of these machines so well:

Mar 26, 2005 subject: 1 mo. CPAPer/mild apneac with doubts & detailed PSG resu Click "Page 2" of this topic and read christinequilts' 2nd post on Page 2 -- for reassurance regarding central apnea.

Sat May 14, 2005 subject: having to noticably catch my breath

Jan 26, 2005 subject: Apneas, Central Apneas and Hypopneas

Jan 21 2005 subject: AutoPAP failed, Bi-Level is worse, Help!!! (a post by christinequilts is next to last one on page 2)

Jan 05 2005 subject: APAP VS. BPAP Question (a post by christinequilts is the last one on page 2)

Feb 21, 2005 subject: Remstar Auto - Non-responsive events? (3 page topic)

Jan 23, 2005 subject: Mixed Apnea

Apr 16, 2005 subject: Medical Rationale for CPAP over APAP? (5 page topic)

Apr 26, 2005 subject: Newbie to the CPAP World, Also a few questions...

May 28 2005 subject: Central Sleep Apnea

Jan 04, 2005 subject: obstructive vs. central apnea

May 26 2004 subject: Apnea worse with CPAP!?

Feb 04 2004 subject: Resmed VPAP II ST vs Respironics Synchrony ST

Jan 31 2004 subject: Seeing new Doc for Central !

Dec 14, 2004 subject: Cardiac oscillations Question (2 page topic)

Aug 07 2004 subject: CPAP vs AUTOPAP vs BIPAP?