AXG Sleep Diagnostics?

[Jay51]

I was diagnosed with hypoventilation (a respiratory diagnosis) by taking CapOX (capnometry/capnography).  It has a nasal canula to record the % of CO2 exhaled during each breath, and a finger pulse oximeter.  The capnometer (like a hand held walkie talkie) records the % and totals it up at the end of the night.  Must be send off to some lab to be read and printed out, etc.  

ETCO2 - end tidal CO2 is what it measures.  From mine, during the night a person is usually in the normal range of 35 to 45 mmHG.  A person can have up to 25% of their night above 45 mmHG and still be normal.  45 mmHG is the cutoff level which indicates hypoventilation - exhaling a larger than normal amount of CO2.   Below 35mmHG indicates that a person is hyperventilating (exhaling too little CO2).  

The 1st time I took the test lying supine all night flat on my back, 66% of the time I hypoventilated.  Way over the normal 25%.  I took the test again a few times sleeping at a 45 degree angle with a soft cervical collar, and it decreased to 33%, but still over the 25% that is considered normal.  

My PCP wrote an order to my DME and the RT gave me the test overnight.  Things moved much quicker with the respiratory diagnosis.  

I have seen supplemental oxygen work very well for some members here also.  If you qualify for it, it could help increase your SPO2 at night also.  The sleep Doc and lab may have seen a case like your before also:  normal respiratory rate, higher than normal tidal volume, yet low SPO2 levels at night due to all of the total number of tests that they have performed.

[cmpman1974]

I was diagnosed with hypoventilation (a respiratory diagnosis) by taking CapOX (capnometry/capnography).  It has a nasal canula to record the % of CO2 exhaled during each breath, and a finger pulse oximeter.  The capnometer (like a hand held walkie talkie) records the % and totals it up at the end of the night.  Must be send off to some lab to be read and printed out, etc.  

ETCO2 - end tidal CO2 is what it measures.  From mine, during the night a person is usually in the normal range of 35 to 45 mmHG.  A person can have up to 25% of their night above 45 mmHG and still be normal.  45 mmHG is the cutoff level which indicates hypoventilation - exhaling a larger than normal amount of CO2.   Below 35mmHG indicates that a person is hyperventilating (exhaling too little CO2).  

The 1st time I took the test lying supine all night flat on my back, 66% of the time I hypoventilated.  Way over the normal 25%.  I took the test again a few times sleeping at a 45 degree angle with a soft cervical collar, and it decreased to 33%, but still over the 25% that is considered normal.  

My PCP wrote an order to my DME and the RT gave me the test overnight.  Things moved much quicker with the respiratory diagnosis.  

I have seen supplemental oxygen work very well for some members here also.  If you qualify for it, it could help increase your SPO2 at night also.  The sleep Doc and lab may have seen a case like your before also:  normal respiratory rate, higher than normal tidal volume, yet low SPO2 levels at night due to all of the total number of tests that they have performed.

That is a test I have not had.  It sounds like it may be a key one for me.   From what I've seen, yesterday may be one of the best nights statistically I've had.  Minute Volume and Tidal Volume are a bit better too. Leak rates for me were exceptonal. I have really done my best to try to shave daily and that seems to help the mask leak some.  I never had a ton of facial hear, but less after shaving of course. 

All that said, great AHI, nice leak rate levels, etc., STILL foggy head, eyes/nose draining, fatigue, and more.  I also attached O2 readings from the Lookee.  I do feel all the lower spine issues severely complicate stuff.  Back is very tight and probably puts you in discomfort all night to a degree though it's not shooting pain.  More an endless stiffness / muscle spasticity problem.

[cmpman1974]

Two more nights with good AHI, generally low leak rates except for a few small episodes.   I have come to the conclusion reported numbers are pointness. I feel so tired today, it's hard to focus at all.  When I look at the detail of each breath last night in high detail, it's a trainwreck sometimes.  I truly help a new sleep practice I see this upcoming week has some insight. It's a losing battle.  Something is very wrong in my opinion.  Wake up with a dripping nose, head pressure, and just exhausted.  For 45 seconds, I saw no mask leak shown, but tidal volumes in excess of 1,500 mL each breath. What the heck is the deal?

My Lookee O2 wrist monitor broke in 3 days.  The wires near the Micro USB cord attachment area frayed.  The company is going to send me a ring instead after getting my old one back. That was a short lived idea I guess.  Sigh..

[cmpman1974]

Another night of sleep..

[Jay51]

Hopefully the new sleep practice you see will be able to help you and have seen a situation similar to yours.  Post an update here about how it goes.

[cmpman1974]

Hopefully the new sleep practice you see will be able to help you and have seen a situation similar to yours.  Post an update here about how it goes.

I definitely will.  I hope they look at the stuff in detail as that's what it is important.  From a high-level, things look fine.

[cmpman1974]

Not a great night, but low AHI!!   Total train wreck.  Went minutes shallow breathing over and over.

[cmpman1974]

Respiratory rate seems awful high.

[Jay51]

Leaks were really high 2 nights ago.  Probably effected your results.  Respiratory rate median was higher last night.  Normal is approximately 12 to 20 or so (can vary some).  Very quick median inhale at 0.94    Tidal volume median closer to normal last night.  

I apologize in that I have not seen variability like this.  It seems like you either have higher than normal tidal volume or higher than normal respiratory rate during sleep for some reason.

[cmpman1974]

No need to apologize : I have been ill with a real bad stomach virus or something the last week.  I admit I hate this machine more and more by the day.  I was supposed to have my initial appt with the new sleep specialist today, but was forced to cancel due to the acute health issues and mild fever. Nothing at all has gone well since I got this ST-A machine it seems. I think I need to go out to AXG Diagnostics as it appears my case is unique and most seem pretty stumped by what's happening. I need that person who can deep dive into the endless data pool to unlock this mystery.