Central Apneas AHI 8

AHI remains 8 after 3 months on C-flex. Feel more rested than at start, but not terrific. Should I push MD for different machine?

marco wrote:AHI remains 8 after 3 months on C-flex. Feel more rested than at start, but not terrific. Should I push MD for different machine?

In order to push for a different machine that treats centrals, you need to go through more sleep testing to see if that's actually the problem. It could be many things: large leaks are the most common cause of poor treatment. You could also have other things happening like restless leg syndrome. Other things can cause arousal like Respiratory Effort Related Arousal. The only way to know for sure is more testing at the sleep center.

Original sleep test showed 50% centrals. Machine data shows 0 OAs. Leaks are 15% with nasal mask.

marco wrote:Original sleep test showed 50% centrals. Machine data shows 0 OAs. Leaks are 15% with nasal mask.

You'll need to address the large leaks, but it still sounds like you need to talk to your sleep doc and have another sleep study if your baseline (non-titration) study or your titration showed 50% centrals.

The standard procedure to treat apnea (central and obstructive) is to treat the obstructive first. Sometimes doing that allows the body to better breathe and the centrals tend to clear up.

By the way, the AHI of 8 may not be too bad, depending on your system. Since that includes hypopneas, it could be a minor issue.

What type of machine do you have? A ResMed unit (S8 and below) tends to overcount the hypopneas.

But I definitely agree. If you continue to feel fatigued and you have been complaint (use the machine as you should), then it's time to disucss this with your sleep doctor.