CPAP terms...need translation please

~AP · Post by **~AP** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:33 pm

Hello People,
I have now joined the forum. I have already learned so much in the short time I have been visiting, I believe your continued support is going to help me a lot. As a matter of fact you already have!

In the few days that I have been on CPAP I have found that nobody really understands the complexities of this disorder or treatment like the ones who are actually living with it. I, for one, wish to be proactive about my own health and learn all I can. I have already put to use the many suggestions I have read on this forum. Thank you all for your valuable input.

I still don't understand your language though, what is AHI?

Maybe somebody can give me a little advice here. My doc says my apnea is "mild". I have 16 episodes per hour and desat to 68%. He said that my sleep study showed that my desat was lowest during REM sleep. He set my pressure at 12 cm, said that's what the sleep study showed I needed to keep my oxygen level at normal. Does this sound mild to you??

I looked over my instruction manual and found my receipt from the DME, it turns out that my machine is a RENTAL!! This gives me a lot of hope that I will be able to upgrade. My present machine is giving me sore lungs.

I have been exhausted, forgetful, aches and pains everywhere, High blood pressure, and even (I hate to admit this even to myself) depressed for some time. Now I feel like there is hope to feel better and get a new lease on life. If OSA has caused all these problems then cpap can be my friend.

Thanks again for all your support!
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP, DME, AHI

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:19 pm

AHI stands for Apnea Hypopnea Index - the number of Apneas + Hypopneas you have per hour.

Read the definitions in the CPAPopedia, on top of the message board cpapedia.php?mode=view, look at the cpap videos (above the message board). Got to cpap.com for their FAQs, and read Resmed's Resmed's patient education

Happy reading!
O.

~AP · Post by **~AP** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:35 pm

Thank you O!!

I will certainly start doing my homework now that I know where to look.

thanks again,
~A