An Experiment in AHI

[weeble]

Interesting study PaulaO2. In my case, because my specialists do not recommend auto machines, I was initially against that decision. However, after reading your post, I am now for it - I can now understand why I have to go back for a study every 12 months or so - in my first year and a half of using the machine, I have had about 5 or 6 studies - to get the pressure just right. Started at 8 then up to 13, down to 9, up to 12 down to 11 - which is where it has stayed for about 8 months. Snoring is minimal now compared to the other levels.

From day 1 of using the machine, my AHI levels were very low (twice I hit 0.0 but mainly stable around 0.6 - recently though because I have been playing around with the humidity I did go up to 1.9) and up until the point I had it set at 11, I really wasn't feeling any change, panda eyes, falling asleep, exhausted. Once I hit 11, woo hoo, no more black eyes, no more bags and even tho I have tried once or twice to have a nanna nap - I now find it virtually impossible to! So for what it is worth, my point of view is GO FIXED PRESSURE!!!!!

[zonk]

What has this proven? That AHI is but one part of the equation that is sleep apnea. That how you feel is just as important, probably more

I did not find any difference in AHI setting my machine on fixed pressure
but big difference in flow limitation and how I felt in the morning
auto 9-15 works quite well, AHI below 1 and on average pressure around 11/12
100% agree with your conclusion
how do you feel is more important than chasing numbers

[weeble]

What has this proven? That AHI is but one part of the equation that is sleep apnea. That how you feel is just as important, probably more

I did not find any difference in AHI setting my machine on fixed pressure
but big difference in flow limitation and how I felt in the morning
auto 9-15 works quite well, AHI below 1 and on average pressure around 11/12
100% agree with your conclusion
how do you feel is more important than chasing numbers




I agree, but having the correct pressure is important to how you feel also.

[PaulaO2]

Interesting study PaulaO2. In my case, because my specialists do not recommend auto machines, I was initially against that decision. However, after reading your post, I am now for it - I can now understand why I have to go back for a study every 12 months or so - in my first year and a half of using the machine, I have had about 5 or 6 studies - to get the pressure just right. Started at 8 then up to 13, down to 9, up to 12 down to 11 - which is where it has stayed for about 8 months. Snoring is minimal now compared to the other levels.

Wow, how many tests? Holy crap. I've had one. Well, two since they didn't titrate the first night but it counts as one. And that was eight years ago.

Using an autoPAP is much better than a sleep study. For one, a sleep study is one night. An autoPAP can be used for several nights in a row, getting accurate data. Combined with an oximeter (saying it before Shatzi does), it is much much better than a single night sleep study. Set it to auto, determine if your pressure needs adjusting, then change it back to straight CPAP if that's what you prefer.

[Sleepster]

Autopaps may be better than sleep studies when there aren't complications such as central sleep apnea and other sleep disordered breathing syndromes, as well as other sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome.

[Ugly]

In my case, because my specialists do not recommend auto machines, I was initially against that decision.

It was a disappointing revelation the other day after talking it over with the resp therapist from VitalAire - all clients are apparently assumed to be simpletons who don't "need" a sophisticated machine but rather the cheapest one will do. That was why I was saddled with an S9 Escape model. Unfortunately at that time I didn't have the insight to know the difference and I guess the "experts" were counting on that. During my appointment the other day - well, I warned her in advance that I already adjusted the pressure. Heck, I had to. It would have been worse for me if I had to wait the two weeks between my doctor's appointment and HER appointment. I've had to word it several ways that I felt the need to take charge of my health since nobody else seems to be actively helping me. I had proof that the pressure requirement is not a daily constant so an AutoSet is essential, and I got my doctor to agree with me. That's when she said that they usually stick "clients" with the simple versions and that seems to suit most people just fine. That's a real shame that they manipulate people like that. So - I understand why your "professionals" wouldn't recommend an auto machine - seems to be the mind set almost. Too bad it's sounding almost like a universal constant.

I can now understand why I have to go back for a study every 12 months or so - in my first year and a half of using the machine, I have had about 5 or 6 studies - to get the pressure just right.

It's not an exact science yet. Sadly I had to PROVE they botched up the sleep study. I guess your solution isn't much better, recurring sleep studies because they don't get it right the first time.

From day 1 of using the machine, my AHI levels were very low (twice I hit 0.0 but mainly stable around 0.6 -

Nice job. From what I gather not everyone can accomplish that.
I never had any idea about AHI and how it applied to me until AFTER the botched sleep study and I borrowed an S8 AutoSet. My AHI ranged from 2.3 to 5.7 in a three week period

So for what it is worth, my point of view is GO FIXED PRESSURE!!!!!

But you see, that doesn't work for everybody. The reason I pestered for an AutoSet is because my trial pressure was all over the map, from 8.4 to 11.2 - and to think they declared my default pressure to be 8.0 - dummies. Okay they may not be dumb but careless enough not to do it right. So for some of us things are inconsistent enough to need a little more than fixed pressure. But all the more power to you if you're stable enough not to need that. Then again my medical history is extensive and sleep apnea is but one issue I contend with daily.

[Sleepster]

So for what it is worth, my point of view is GO FIXED PRESSURE!!!!!

But you see, that doesn't work for everybody. The reason I pestered for an AutoSet is because my trial pressure was all over the map, from 8.4 to 11.2 - and to think they declared my default pressure to be 8.0 - dummies.

I hope the APAP works for you, but please keep in mind that it may not. It may very well be that you'll have to keep it in fixed CPAP mode, that fixed CPAP mode keeps your AHI lower, or that you find fixed CPAP mode more comfortable.

[PaulaO2]

I hope the APAP works for you, but please keep in mind that it may not. It may very well be that you'll have to keep it in fixed CPAP mode, that fixed CPAP mode keeps your AHI lower, or that you find fixed CPAP mode more comfortable.

And that was part of the reason for my experiment. Would my AHI change if set to CPAP at a lower setting?

If I use the auto mode to determine the best pressure, then run the regular mode at that pressure, is it optimum? I don't know. Optimum is feeling good and having an AHI of less than 5. If those two are met, then yes, treatment is working. But that's the good thing about having a PAP machine that can do both. I can self titrate then switch or I can just let the machine do it for me.

[zonk]

or I can just let the machine do it for me.

absolutely
why have a dog and bark yourself?

[PaulaO2]

Ha! I love that analogy, Zonk.

Good boy. Here's your treat.