Sudden increase in AHI

biztraveler · Post by **biztraveler** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:21 am

I've been on CPAP treatment for almost a year. I would say, as a whole, it has been an overwhelming success. However, the last month or so, I've seen a sudden increase in AHI. Looking back, there's been significant increased stress in my work and personal life. I've also had difficulty falling asleep 3-4 times a week. I'm noticing that if I have trouble falling asleep one night, my AHI jumps significantly the following night.

1. Does stress have an actual impact on AHI, or am I making a big leap?
2. Should I be adjusting the therapy in any way?

I am noticing that my pre-CPAP symptoms of daytime tiredness and brain fog are creeping back.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 9:07 am

Stress can make a difference (tho' not 'measurable' of course) and gaining/losing even a very little weight can as your mask fit will change as well as respiratory needs.

Miss Emerita · Post by **Miss Emerita** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 9:13 am

What is your AHI now, and what was it earlier? And what is the breakdown then and now among obstructive apneas, hypopneas, and centrals?

NoOnesPerfect · Post by **NoOnesPerfect** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 9:23 am

Sleep/wake/junk can also make the AHI higher without actually reflecting an increase in events. It’s amazing how often you hold your breath while tossing and turning, or even just trying to calm down enough to fall asleep again. Each of those will show as an apnea.

biztraveler · Post by **biztraveler** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 9:40 am

The AHI I would typically get would be 2.5-6.5, but I'm seeing 10-13. It's mostly OA and hypopneas. Previously, I would see maybe 1 event marked as clear airway apnea, but now I'm seeing 5-7.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 9:45 am

Need to see an image of your typical detailed report for one night to be sure but it sounds like you need a pressure adjustment for some reason.
Maybe you are spending more time on your back now than you used to and you need more pressure when on your back.

biztraveler · Post by **biztraveler** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:12 am

This is from last night

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:21 am

Assuming you were asleep most of the night......Your minimum pressure is too low.

If you were actually asleep when the 2 main OA clusters happened at the beginning of the night....were you on your back maybe?
Rest of the night isn't real pretty but not nearly as ugly as the first 2 clusters.
Now if you say you weren't asleep when those happened then we get to have the discussion about false positive flagging and what to do about why you weren't asleep and the machine confusing awake breathing irregularities as asleep breathing.
If you weren't asleep...they don't count and your AHI wouldn't be nearly so ugly.

So if you didn't really go to sleep until around 02:00....the AHI would likely be much more acceptable and less scary.

If you were asleep...you need more minimum pressure. How much more I don't know but probably up around 10 ish.

Sudden increase in AHI

Sudden increase in AHI

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