Significant Centrals

I have used a C-Pap for 3+ years but had not had any request by doctor for a download until recently. Had a lot of centrals so doc referred me to a pulmonologist, who prescribed a new sleep study due to the # of episodes. I learned yesterday that my rate of centrals is 93 per hour -- obviously very high. He mentioned that in the study the technician determined that I achieved a normal # of centrals (3.8/hr) when she put me on a bi-pap of some sort. Will be going on that machine shortly. Question: at this point, my pulmonologist has no idea why I have so many centrals. Since I presume there are others out there with at least this many episodes, I'd like to hear some of the findings re possible causes. Thanks.

If you register and enter your equipment (text, not pictures); others with similar experience will see,
and many will be able to share their experience and insight with you.
It's good your doctor is getting in on the act.
Sounds like you are on your way to better sleep in the near future.

Rusk7 wrote:I have used a C-Pap for 3+ years but had not had any request by doctor for a download until recently. Had a lot of centrals so doc referred me to a pulmonologist, who prescribed a new sleep study due to the # of episodes. I learned yesterday that my rate of centrals is 93 per hour -- obviously very high. He mentioned that in the study the technician determined that I achieved a normal # of centrals (3.8/hr) when she put me on a bi-pap of some sort. Will be going on that machine shortly. Question: at this point, my pulmonologist has no idea why I have so many centrals. Since I presume there are others out there with at least this many episodes, I'd like to hear some of the findings re possible causes. Thanks.

I question whether or not 3.8 centrals per hour is "normal". Perhaps some of our "central" experts will have some input here.

Thats a lot of centrals? Have you had any surgery on your head or spine?

"The International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Second Edition (ICSD-2) describes several different entities grouped under central sleep apnea with varying signs, symptoms, and clinical and polysomnographic features. Those that affect adults include primary central sleep apnea, Cheyne-Stokes breathing-central sleep apnea (CSB-CSA) pattern, high-altitude periodic breathing, central sleep apnea due to medical conditions not Cheyne-Stokes, and central sleep apnea due to drug or substance."
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/304967-overview

For more on possible causes: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/3 ... ical#a0218

Thanks for the comments. All helpful. My doc will be doing more study of my centrals so will hopefully be able to classify better. Have not had head or back surgery although I had fairly significant surgery on my neck (cricopharyngeal muscle) at Mayo's about 1.5 years ago.