Newbie-Severe to Mild-Call?

CorgiWalker · Post by **CorgiWalker** » Sun Jul 01, 2018 7:20 pm

I have only been on the machine a couple of nights. I only struggle the first minutes before I go to sleep, when it is difficult to get air in. Pressures are 6-15 with 45 min ramp of 4.0. My question is that I was diagnosed with AHI=80. Now, it is averaging 7.9. I do not see the sleep PA till the end of 90 days. Should I call, if these new numbers stay in this range or wait almost 3 months? How long should I wait to “stabilize”? Thank you.

Muse-Inc · Post by **Muse-Inc** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 12:52 am

CorgiWalker wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 01, 2018 7:20 pm
...struggle the first minutes before I go to sleep, when it is difficult to get air in. Pressures are 6-15 with 45 min ramp of 4.0...do not see the sleep PA till the end of 90 days...

If I were you, I'd increase the starting ramp pressure to 7 and see if that resolves the 'struggle' feeling. And, if you have exhalation pressure relief on your machine, I'd increase that number so it's easier to exhale fully.

I waited just a few weeks to see my sleep doc after starting therapy, 3 months seems long to me. The first month or so was pretty chaotic for me adjusting to breathing as a hosehead at night, effect on my hyper-irritable sinuses with congestion and runniness and playing with humidifier settings, increased sleeping time (9 hrs) after getting used to full pressure (I was on CPAP, straight pressure, no exhale relief as my machine was that basic), cleaning routine. It could be your doc wants to see you after these initial challenges including any mask issues you might have.

djams · Post by **djams** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 7:35 am

CorgiWalker wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 01, 2018 7:20 pm
I have only been on the machine a couple of nights. I only struggle the first minutes before I go to sleep, when it is difficult to get air in. Pressures are 6-15 with 45 min ramp of 4.0. My question is that I was diagnosed with AHI=80. Now, it is averaging 7.9. I do not see the sleep PA till the end of 90 days. Should I call, if these new numbers stay in this range or wait almost 3 months? How long should I wait to “stabilize”? Thank you.

I'm just a couple of months in. My suggestion would be to turn the ramp off. Shouldn't need to call for that.

My next suggestion is to read the stickies at the top of the forum. There's links to get the clinical manual for your machine, and how to setup SleepyHead software. Then you can post charts and let the experts here guide you. Make the adjustments yourself, on a schedule that you control.

The folks at your sleep center don't have access to the level of detail that sleepyhead gives you. And you'll soon realize that they're not paying attention at all.

MrsRinPDX · Post by **MrsRinPDX** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 3:02 am

Muse-Inc wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 03, 2018 12:52 am

CorgiWalker wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 01, 2018 7:20 pm
...struggle the first minutes before I go to sleep, when it is difficult to get air in. Pressures are 6-15 with 45 min ramp of 4.0...do not see the sleep PA till the end of 90 days...
If I were you, I'd increase the starting ramp pressure to 7 and see if that resolves the 'struggle' feeling. And, if you have exhalation pressure relief on your machine, I'd increase that number so it's easier to exhale fully.

I waited just a few weeks to see my sleep doc after starting therapy, 3 months seems long to me. The first month or so was pretty chaotic for me adjusting to breathing as a hosehead at night, effect on my hyper-irritable sinuses with congestion and runniness and playing with humidifier settings, increased sleeping time (9 hrs) after getting used to full pressure (I was on CPAP, straight pressure, no exhale relief as my machine was that basic), cleaning routine. It could be your doc wants to see you after these initial challenges including any mask issues you might have.

I agree you need to increase the pressure. A pressure of 4 will make most folks feel like they aren't getting enough air in.

As for the 3 month waiting period to see the doctor again, that was the case for me too. However, I did have other folks at the sleep clinic who were there to call when I had a question. And boy, did I call. Given you don't have that resource, this forum is the best thing running.

D.H. · Post by **D.H.** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 10:10 pm

While 7.9 is too high, it's much better than 80! Do not stop your therapy, even if you can't do better than 7.9!

That being said, you do want to reduce your number as low as possible. If you don't feel the ramp is doing anything for you, there's no reason no to disable it.

The machine that you have (assuming that your profile is correct), is compatible with Sleepyhead. I suggest you download that.

Newbie-Severe to Mild-Call?

Newbie-Severe to Mild-Call?

Re: Newbie-Severe to Mild-Call?

Re: Newbie-Severe to Mild-Call?

Re: Newbie-Severe to Mild-Call?

Re: Newbie-Severe to Mild-Call?

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Auto PAP; 13.5 cmH2O min - 20 cmH2O max