FLOW LIMITATION INDEX TOO HIGH!

My AHI is acceptable. the last five nights are 2.1, 2.8, 2.4, 1.7 and 2.7. My pressure is 7-12 with IFL turned off on my Sandman Auto. My Flow limitation index for those same nights is 32.1, 39.4, 23.7. 40.0, 31.1. It is even worse if I enable the IFL.The numbers on the runs are uaually in the 400 to 800 range, sometimes higher and sometimes lower. Any suggestions on how to decrease those numbers????

Personally, I wouldn't worry one bit about trying to reduce the "flow limitation" index.

Using a Puritan Bennett 420E autopap (very much like the PB/Covidien Sandman machine) I always racked up very high flow limitation numbers -- with high run numbers like yours. But also nice low AHIs like you're getting. Felt fine.

I'd leave it alone and be happy with the low AHIs. But if you absolutely want to tweak, you could try raising your minimum pressure another cm or two. That might reduce the flow limitations some.

I don't mind the numbers, but I have a headache most every morning with a stiff neck and shoulders. That was my experience before cpap, so I thought the flow limitations might be contributing to the headaches.

hmmm... dunno, Terry. Guess I'd try raising the minimum pressure some. If that doesn't help your headaches and stiff shoulders ease off, I'd put the pressure back where you have it now and think about other possibilities starting with simplest first... perhaps a different pillow for your head. Or try sleeping on another bed to see if a different mattress makes a difference. Maybe a firmer mattress.

If you could borrow a recording pulse oximeter, or get your doctor to order the DME to do an overnight recording pulse oxi (usually they'll do that free one time) you could see if dropping O2 levels have anything to do with your morning headaches. If so, then the min pressure probably does need to be raised.