Newbie questions about AHI

Hello all, I've been using my CPAP for 24 days. Installed Sleepyhead yesterday and discovered I've been averaging about 12.8 or so AHI, which I guess is not good. I have a few questions ?? Is my data still being recorded as I remove my mask with the machine still on? Because I notice a spike during times which I'm pretty sure I've awoken. Also I seem to have highest register of AHI when I'm in my deepest sleep, which obviously makes sense. But this is well into the 20's on some nights. Obviously my apnea was pretty bad I'm still waiting on results of latest study.

cwillis wrote:Hello all, I've been using my CPAP for 24 days. Installed Sleepyhead yesterday and discovered I've been averaging about 12.8 or so AHI, which I guess is not good. I have a few questions ?? Is my data still being recorded as I remove my mask with the machine still on? Because I notice a spike during times which I'm pretty sure I've awoken. Also I seem to have highest register of AHI when I'm in my deepest sleep, which obviously makes sense. But this is well into the 20's on some nights. Obviously my apnea was pretty bad I'm still waiting on results of latest study.

Sounds like your settings are not optimal.
If you remove your mask, there is no "data" (events to record) other than a large leak.
How many hours of sleep are you getting? AHI is determined by the number of events (apnea/hypopnea) you have during the number of hours you sleep. If you have events over a shorter number of hours, your AHI COULD be higher. Or, said another way, if the time you ARE asleep has more events, the AHI could be higher. Some people have varying numbers of events during their sleep time.......the events aren't necessarily a "constant".

Yes, deep sleep or REM sleep CAN produce more events. And, that makes my first statement more valid.


Den

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What about leaks - what do the numbers show (you're wearing a nasal mask and could be losing all air out of your mouth)?

Here is a copy of my daily report, I would so welcome any comments or insight you guys might have. I'm determined to learn everything I can to help my situation. https://www.dropbox.com/s/u1nsa5lq8qz7s89/CPAP.PNG?dl=0

cwillis wrote:Here is a copy of my daily report, I would so welcome any comments or insight you guys might have. I'm determined to learn everything I can to help my situation. https://www.dropbox.com/s/t5kp6nhhsauoe ... d.pdf?dl=0

Actually that link is to the dropbox getting started manual. When I first started posting here I managed to post links to locked private drop box files that nobody but me could see. Some kind soul convinced me to sign up for and use http://imgur.com and it's the best way to share images here (and elsewhere...)

I'm sorry about that I edited post above and now link seems to be correct. Thanks for letting me know. As for my sleep quality: It's not good at all, although with CPAP I'm only waking up 5 times as apposed to 8 times a night lol. So the longest period of sleep I get is maybe 3 hrs. I've been keeping a log.

cwillis wrote:Here is a copy of my daily report, I would so welcome any comments or insight you guys might have. I'm determined to learn everything I can to help my situation. https://www.dropbox.com/s/u1nsa5lq8qz7s89/CPAP.PNG?dl=0

It would help to see the daily detail charts. The majority of your apneas are clear airway rather than obstructive, and you're using a Bilevel I agree settings are not likely optimal, but with complex apnea there is no way to advise further without detailed data.

I notice the machine statistics have data going back to May 5, 2010. Is this a used machine? If so, some of the statistics may not be your sleep data.

Sleeprider: I was not compliant at the time as I was diagnosed back in 2010, for that I feel terrible, but I have to address it now and do what I can to comply and make myself feel good again. Which info or graph should I post from my daily report as all the graphs won't post in one screenshot?

Just give us an F12 screenshot from the most recent day. Size the graphs for event flags, flow, pressure, leak and snore so it fits vertically.

Ok resized graphs to include all in screenshot here is result. Once again appreciate the insight.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/o5j83t350dmru ... 6.png?dl=0

It would appear that the "Clear Airway" events are making up the bulk of your AHI numbers.
I would suggest consulting with your doctor about your situation.
I'm not sure at what stage they prescribe ASV machines.


Den

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I agree with Den. This could be a basis for failing BiPAP and move to ASV. It's worth making them thing about it anyway.

Under your circumstances they might use your machine data or require a new sleep study. Hard to say since you failed on this unit in 2010, but it looks like there was a good reason.

Alright thanks Wulfman I need to do some research obviously. Won't see Dr until March, I'm still waiting on results of latest sleep test as it is.

I would certainly try to get into see the doctor earlier... you do have a lot going on with clear airways, Cheyne-Stokes and high leak rate.

Julie wrote:I would certainly try to get into see the doctor earlier... you do have a lot going on with clear airways, Cheyne-Stokes and high leak rate.

Thank you Julie I've got a lot to learn, and I'm trying not to be freaked out by what I'm learning and by tracking myself daily using Sleepyhead. Tonight I will try FFM see if my numbers are different.