One quick question.

ready2sleep · Post by **ready2sleep** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:20 am

My husband was titrated at 13, he still snored. I moved it up until he stopped snoring which was 15. He does not snore now, and says he is getting better sleep. However, his AHI numbers at 13 were still in the double digits. Now that I have moved it to 15 his AHI is around 6-7. My question is this, should I be more concerned with his numbers, and possibly raise the pressure again (although I really dont want to do that) to get it down around 5 or let it be, since it seems to be working for him? Thoughts, suggestions, are appreciated.

cpapjack · Post by **cpapjack** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:37 am

If your husband feels good, I wouldn't be too concerned about his AHI being 6 or 7. It's how he feels that matters. His body knows nothing of the numbers, only how it feels.

Jack

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:41 am

It sounds like you made a correct change, but without the data collecting ability, you never know if the pressure is too high. Too high a pressure can induce central apnea events. You might get by increasing the pressure in {.5} CM steps, a week at a time until AHI starts to climb again. Then lower it to the best AHI pressure.

That's how I found me Sweet Spot, 15.5 cm started Centrals for me, so 15 cm was the sweet spot, but I had Encore Pro to point the way safely. Jim

af · Post by af » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:45 am

I would guess that if one had a sleep study and their AHI was 6 or 7, CPAP therapy would probably not be reccommended. So if you have an AHI of 6-7 from therapy, its probably fine (especially relative to what it was!)

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:52 am

I would guess that if one had a sleep study and their AHI was 6 or 7, CPAP therapy would probably not be reccommended

In most cases that is true. However, if the PSG scored SAO2 levels below 80%, xPAP or xPAP with O2, may be indicated, even if AHI is in the "mild" range..

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

af · Post by af » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:54 pm

If the O2 level is below 80% thats pretty serious.....do many people measure that low? Besides, I don't think readytosleep mentioned an O2 problem....

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:27 pm

af wrote:If the O2 level is below 80% thats pretty serious.....do many people measure that low? Besides, I don't think readytosleep mentioned an O2 problem....

Maybe that would be worth checking......it's free with a doctor's prescription.

My desats were in the 60's during my sleep study.

Ready2sleep. You didn't mention how you got the statistics.....software or screen display.
How long ago was this pressure increase?
I would keep an eye on the numbers for a little while before doing anything, but it's possible another increase could bring the AHI below 5.0. On the other hand, there could be other things going on.

Best wishes,

Den

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:35 pm

If the O2 level is below 80% thats pretty serious.....do many people measure that low?

My cardio doc pressed the xPAP issue, when he saw the 78% SAO2, even though my AHI's scored "mild" in the PSG. The "duration" of each event was of much more interest to him, than the quanity of events..

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

leholst · Post by **leholst** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:01 pm

Please explain what "central apnea" events are.

Thanks

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:12 pm

leholst wrote:Please explain what "central apnea" events are.

Thanks

viewtopic.php?t=2341

Den

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:24 pm

OK, it says: CSA affects only 5-10% of the sleep apnea population. CSA occurs when both airflow and respiratory effort cease. This cessation of breathing results from a loss of the autonomic drive to breathe, due to a host of issues including, brain injury, and too much pressure delivered by a flow generator.

PMI (pardon my ignorance), but isn't that Apnea? How can you have airflow WITHOUT respiratory effort - OFF MACHINE? Without an xpap, I'd interpret that explanation to be that of ANY apnea. Please correct me here, as I've also been (still am) confused about the 'central' issue.

Thanks in advance.
Kathleen

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:32 pm

Kathleen,

I just went to the CPAPopedia and got that link for CSA (Central Sleep Apnea).....
However, I think THIS is the key to the difference between Central apnea and Obstructive apnea:

This cessation of breathing results from a loss of the autonomic drive to breathe, due to a host of issues including, brain injury, and too much pressure delivered by a flow generator.

Lloyd was asking about "Central" apnea....CSA

Den

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:41 pm

If you do a WEB search on "Central Sleep Apnea" (including the quote marks), there's a ton of reading material.....on all versions.

Den

Maryb · Post by **Maryb** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:43 pm

my very basic understanding is that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which most of us have, is due to an obstruction in our airways (e.g., when your throat relaxes during sleep and shuts off your airway). On the other hand central sleep apnea is when your brain doesn't send the signal to breathe.
That's how I think about it.
Centrals are scary. My son has an untreated AHI of 86 of which 56 are centrals and the docs are trying to get to the bottom of it. And I'm very concerned.

Maryb

ready2sleep · Post by **ready2sleep** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 4:59 pm

You guys are right, and I am sorry. I did seem to leave some information out. I am getting the info off the display screen. Also, he was diagnosed with severe apnea where his 02 sats were down around 60%. I have no idea what they are now. Im afraid if I raise it anymore it will be to much for him. He says how he has to ramp it in the beginning, because the pressure is so high and sometimes he has lots of leaks. We are dealing with them from the info I have read off of here. Are you guys saying that he may be experiencing centrals? He seems to be feeling better, and I dont hear any further breathing problems. I was the one having centrals, also on cpap.