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5 is the threshold that doctors use to define disease... below 5 is considered normal, and above is mild/moderate/severe apnea, depending on how high you get. Some people seem to feel fine anywhere below 5; others seem to feel noticeably better if they can get it even lower. Also, keep in mind when asking if 5 is ok, that it can take your body some time to adjust to treatment... in my case, my AHI dropped some during the first month or so of treatment. In other words, where you start is not necessarily where you end up... For your first night, 5 sounds to me like a great start. As a non-medical opinion!

Red Sunset wrote:Thanks black. So what should I be aiming for? Appart from zero obviously.

My AHI has been less than 1 every night since my 5th night on Auto-CPAP back in August. I've read here that 5 is the high-end of acceptable. If you do change your pressure, it is recommended not to change it more than 1 cmH2O at a time, and try that new pressure for 5 days before re-evaluating.

I thought so too Wol! Much better than the 38 I'd been averaging. But worked out how to put the auto minimum setting to 7, so we' ll see if that helps.

EDIT: Just read your post John. Maybe I'll drop it back to 5 for the next few nights, rather than going straight to 7. What are the risks with higher pressures?

Red Sunset wrote:I thought so too Wol! Much better than the 38 I'd been averaging. But worked out how to put the auto minimum setting to 7, so we' ll see if that helps.

EDIT: Just read your post John. Maybe I'll drop it back to 5 for the next few nights, rather than going straight to 7. What are the risks with higher pressures?

Given the very low minimum pressure you have now, I think you could move to 7 safely. I think the main reason they suggest moving only .5 or 1 cm at a time is more for the fine tuning. Since you are just starting out, I think you can take a bigger swing at the correct pressure.

In the bigger picture, higher pressures tend to be more uncomfortable, and more likely to cause mask leaks, so therefore, the lowest effective pressure would be your goal.

John

Thanks John. To be honest, I've felt really good today! Have cleaned up a bit, gone shopping, mowed the lawn. Usually on the weekends I do the shopping and then fall asleep on the couch for three hours. So I can already see the benefits of cpap. My wife is 39 weeks pregnant with our first child, so what little sleep I may be getting over yhe coming weeks I want it to be quality!

Red Sunset wrote:Thanks John. To be honest, I've felt really good today! Have cleaned up a bit, gone shopping, mowed the lawn. Usually on the weekends I do the shopping and then fall asleep on the couch for three hours. So I can already see the benefits of cpap. My wife is 39 weeks pregnant with our first child, so what little sleep I may be getting over yhe coming weeks I want it to be quality!

Congratulations! And even more congratulations!

Red Sunset wrote:Thanks John. To be honest, I've felt really good today! Have cleaned up a bit, gone shopping, mowed the lawn. Usually on the weekends I do the shopping and then fall asleep on the couch for three hours. So I can already see the benefits of cpap. My wife is 39 weeks pregnant with our first child, so what little sleep I may be getting over yhe coming weeks I want it to be quality!

Great news! Let's hope last night went well too. As you said, with a little one on the way, you will need all the good quality sleep you can get! Congratulations.

Red Sunset wrote:Thanks John. To be honest, I've felt really good today! Have cleaned up a bit, gone shopping, mowed the lawn. Usually on the weekends I do the shopping and then fall asleep on the couch for three hours. So I can already see the benefits of cpap. My wife is 39 weeks pregnant with our first child, so what little sleep I may be getting over yhe coming weeks I want it to be quality!

Congratulations on all fronts! Yes every bit of sleep for the next few months are going to need to be quality sleep LOL.

I am also a newbie to APAP here. My doc Rx'd APAP and so far its going far better than I expected.

My titration study showed I needed one pressure for side sleeping and another for sleeping on my back. The auto handles my needs regardless of any changes side/back sleep during the nite. I have noticed my pressure needs vary from night to night.

Congrats on the little one on the way. Our youngest grandson is just over a month old, I love little babies, they are so cute & delicate. They also can't out run me or say no yet...ha ha.

Congratulations on the new baby.
A child's first year is a time full of "firsts", try not to miss any.
My mind is forever etched with the expression on my son's face when he had his first bite of solid food.
Surprise and delight enough to fill your heart and empty your eyes. The thought still moves me.

Well, I checked my data again this morning and still have an AHI of 5.75.
I increased the 'auto min' to 7 last night. Any other suggestions to get me below 5? I think the mask is leaking a bit too, but it must leak while I'm asleep because it feels pretty secure when I put it on. It's a mirage quatro.

Red Sunset wrote:Any other suggestions to get me below 5? I think the mask is leaking a bit too, but it must leak while I'm asleep because it feels pretty secure when I put it on. It's a mirage quatro.

I think we need someone more literate with Sleepyhead to review your leak rate data.

JohnO wrote:

Red Sunset wrote:Any other suggestions to get me below 5? I think the mask is leaking a bit too, but it must leak while I'm asleep because it feels pretty secure when I put it on. It's a mirage quatro.

I think we need someone more literate with Sleepyhead to review your leak rate data.

Calling Pugsy! Actually, she is away this week. Back early next week, I believe.