What is my goal here? Zero apneas or just a few?

SailorBoy · Post by **SailorBoy** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:30 am

I am really happy with my system. 420E + Swift pillows + Software mean I can play with the settings. A headband from walgreens keeps my mouth shut so no more mouthing off!

Wife agrees that anything that stops the snoring is sexy as hell!

BUT! In fiddling with the settings I am wondering, am I trying to eliminate all events (which calls for 12cm at least -- the Rx) or merely reduce them to a scant few, say 3 little appies?

Thooughts?

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:14 am

Officially, if you can get the combination of apnias and hypopnias per hour down to five or below that is good enough. Many of us shoot for more like 1-2 per hour and have had success with our auto-paps in doing this. The key is that you feel rested in the morning.

SailorBoy · Post by **SailorBoy** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:57 am

Well heck dude!

I seem to be at 1 per hour!

I feel rested. Dang ain't modern science great?

Okay, so I've got to wear this thing for what, a couple of months?

Just kidding.

UKnowWhatInSeattle · Post by **UKnowWhatInSeattle** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 2:44 pm

Sailor,
My titrated pressure is 8 to combat a measured AHI of 65...

In my month and a half of using my 420e, I've had 16 total apneas and under 100 hypopneas total detected. My pressure hardly gets off my minimum of 6. My AHI is something like 0.3.

So, yeah man, I sure think modern science is great! I'd be very happy with a lowering of AHI from 65 to like 5, so 0.3 is a pleasant surprise!

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:33 pm

I average about 10, total for the night, sometimes a few more or less, usually always more pops, than aps'.....AHI is low. If I am figuring it correctly, hae the same exact machine, mask, software. I find the swift, the least intrusive nasal apparatus.

Your numbers sound good to me (am no expert). My titration study showed I had an AHI of 41, doctor, said high. On this msg board I've seen many worse.

I was better initially about 2-3 wks in, now I'm back to sleepy in afternoon, but am used to using the ''stuff'' at night to fall asleep.

Your suggestion of a headband is a good idea, I am going to go get one tomorrow. I have used 2 chin straps, they are awful. First one is the one that has a hole cut out in the chin, so unless a person has the smallest pointiest chin on the planet, this one was BAD. Second one I have which I am using, has a fabric type cup, that my chin sits in, but straps are too darn short. Both yank hair out, which I don't like one bit.

Keep at it, I do, it's the best we can do to help ourselves. Good Luck!

SailorBoy wrote:I am really happy with my system. 420E + Swift pillows + Software mean I can play with the settings. A headband from walgreens keeps my mouth shut so no more mouthing off!

Wife agrees that anything that stops the snoring is sexy as hell!

BUT! In fiddling with the settings I am wondering, am I trying to eliminate all events (which calls for 12cm at least -- the Rx) or merely reduce them to a scant few, say 3 little appies?

Thooughts?

SailorBoy · Post by **SailorBoy** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 10:55 pm

The headbands come in a pack of six, I think. In an array of colors:
Black, red, blue,, and, at least pink, i think.

Perhaps we will make up a code for them... "Red band tonight, baby!"

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 12:05 pm

Your original question is problematic. What are you using to measure your events? Depending on the sensitivity of your sensors would determine what you should reduce it to. If your sensors (in your device) aren't very sensitive, then I would say get it as close to 0 as you can, if they are fairly sensitive, then under 5 should be ok.

As Wader said, one of the best indicators is your body.

SailorBoy · Post by **SailorBoy** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:00 pm

Excellent questions!

I am using the readout of the GoodKnight 420E. I cannot imagine that it is as accurate as the Stanford Polysomnogram, but it should be fairly accurate.

Only two events last night! At least insofer as my APAP believes!

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:50 pm

Man, I get jealous reading about ahi s around 3 or so. My sleep study had me at about 70. Since there s only 60 minutes per hour, you do the math. Thats bad huh. I'm happy with an ahi of around 7-9.

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 5:02 pm

I seem to be almost always at a combo of 10, between the pops/ap's, and I throw in the cardiac #'s as well, as I figure my body is doing something not right, so let's count that number.

I wishI felt more energized, in fact, am back to being as tired as before. Even my lousy sugar has gone back up, so I'm going to be much stricter what else can we do right?

Keep sailin'''

SailorBoy wrote:Excellent questions!

I am using the readout of the GoodKnight 420E. I cannot imagine that it is as accurate as the Stanford Polysomnogram, but it should be fairly accurate.

Only two events last night! At least insofer as my APAP believes!

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 5:51 pm

Loonlvr - if you feel like you are rested then you are getting enough therapy. Even if your AHI is 10 or so. Depending on the accuracy/sensitivity of the Remstar Auto, under 10 might be acceptable. Dr Rappoport mentioned that in his lab he found "normal" patients having up to 10 events/hr. The key is how you feel. If you don't feel rested, then either a) you aren't getting the right therapy and the Remstar's Algorithm doesn't do well for you, or b) it is doing well and you have some other underlying condition. Only way to really determine that unfortunately is with a PSG test with your Remstar Auto.

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 5:54 pm

whats a psg test with my remstar auto. I do feel much better than I did before.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 6:12 pm

Another sleep study while being treated with your Remstar Auto.

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 6:20 pm

well, you might remember I had a straight pressure machine set at 10 for over a year. Did a 1 nite study with my auto set at straight 10, my ahi was 25! Imagine that.

nodding off · Post by **nodding off** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:58 pm

Hi SailorBoy,
Your goal should be feeling good and getting a good night's sleep, and the heck with the numbers. If you feel rested your therapy is working. I certainly wouldn't worry about a few apneas a night. Just consider what your AHI is without the machine.

What is my goal here? Zero apneas or just a few?

What is my goal here? Zero apneas or just a few?

YAAAY!

Re: What is my goal here? Zero apneas or just a few?

I think you're doing just fine with your episodes.........