AHI worse with CPAP than without?

It was reported to me that I had 6.5 episodes of apnea during my sleep study, and therefore I was put on CPAP therapy. I put the DreamMapper app on my phone, and in the 5 nights since I installed the app, my AHI has ranged from 6.3 to 14.9 (in order they were 14.9, 9.5, 6.3, 7.9, 10). The first 3 nights were with a mask that was not fitting properly because the frame was too big; last two nights are with a new frame that helps with the fit. I use a chin strap to keep my mouth closed but still experience episodes where air sort of burps out of my mouth on its own. And I've been waking with a terrible dry mouth, even drier than before the CPAP and chin strap.

It looks to me like I'm worse with the CPAP with regard to AHI. I'm averaging between 4 and 6 hours of sleep before I wake up and can't go back to sleep (but I usually crash in the afternoon for a nap). Is this just the initial "honeymoon" phase with CPAP? Or should I be concerned? I don't see the sleep doctor for follow-up until July 31.

Thanks in advance.

Some events are likely being caused by your not being used to the mask, air, sound, etc.
Give it more time.
5 days is not enough for most people.

If your sleep test was in-lab, any events that happened while you were awake would have been excluded from AHI, unlike what you are seeing from your machine. If you had the at-home test, it likely is related to just getting used to therapy. Anxiety (some might also say obsession ) doesn’t make sleep any easier.

You definitely want to look at your OSCAR charts and see if you find a lot of events occurring while you are not asleep - they account for almost all of mine, and you may find they are a significant portion of yours as well. I fond that turning my machine off and back on quickly (to start the ramp function again) when I wake at night reduced my AHI from 6-10 down to sub 1-3.

BamaGramma wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:29 pm

It looks to me like I'm worse with the CPAP with regard to AHI. I'm averaging between 4 and 6 hours of sleep before I wake up and can't go back to sleep (but I usually crash in the afternoon for a nap). Is this just the initial "honeymoon" phase with CPAP? Or should I be concerned? I don't see the sleep doctor for follow-up until July 31.

Several things, 1, your sleep study may have been inaccurate, (it happens all the time} 2. your CPAP isn't adjusted for your needs, and, 3. as was mentioned, you're just getting adjusted to CPAP.

Post some Oscar charts so we can see what's happening.

I downloaded Oscar but couldn't figure it out and didn't want to risk erasing the SD card. Is there a manual somewhere?

You won't erase the SD card..and even if you would, the data is in your machine and it would reload on the card the next time you put it in.

I'll try again with Oscar when I have time to pay close attention. But based on everyone's comments, my thought that it might be related to getting used to the machine seems to be on target. Maybe I can stop worrying.

Though... I also have restless leg syndrome, diagnosed nearly 20 years ago via a sleep study. I take 1 mg of Mirapex at bedtime. The sleep doc pulled me off Melatonin because he said it aggravates RLS. Also said antihistamines do too. My legs haven't bothered me since I started the CPAP last week. Let's hope that continues.

BamaGramma wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 28, 2019 4:58 pm

I'll try again with Oscar when I have time to pay close attention. But based on everyone's comments, my thought that it might be related to getting used to the machine seems to be on target. Maybe I can stop worrying.

Though... I also have restless leg syndrome, diagnosed nearly 20 years ago via a sleep study. I take 1 mg of Mirapex at bedtime. The sleep doc pulled me off Melatonin because he said it aggravates RLS. Also said antihistamines do too. My legs haven't bothered me since I started the CPAP last week. Let's hope that continues.

bammie, when you DO start posting some charts, could you do that in this thread rather than start a new one? in would help to keep all your info together to make it easier for th e experts. thank you!

Will do!

BamaGramma wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 28, 2019 5:18 pm

Will do!

BamaGramma wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 28, 2019 4:58 pm

The sleep doc pulled me off Melatonin because he said it aggravates RLS.

Interesting. And, it seems to be true. I'll have to look for the study later.

Thanks.

zonker wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 28, 2019 5:26 pm

BamaGramma wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 28, 2019 5:18 pm

Will do!

hat-tip.gif

How did you know I have a crush on Sam?

BamaGramma wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 28, 2019 5:40 pm

zonker wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 28, 2019 5:26 pm

BamaGramma wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 28, 2019 5:18 pm

Will do!

hat-tip.gif

How did you know I have a crush on Sam?

who doesn't?

I put Oscar on my laptop but the screen isn't large enough to screenshot the data needed to post here. I downloaded it onto my desktop since the monitor is much larger, but it won't import the SD card. On the laptop I get an auto-message that it has detected a Philips SD card and do I want to import. No such message on the desktop. And when it does appear to import and asks me for a file location, I select Oscar_Date and... nothing.

Help!

NoOnesPerfect wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 28, 2019 1:22 pm

I fond that turning my machine off and back on quickly (to start the ramp function again) when I wake at night reduced my AHI from 6-10 down to sub 1-3.

A very good way to insure you machine isn't treating you, resetting to stop treatment. treatment isn't helping until ramping stops.