[Diagnosis] My AHI went to to 27.3 last night, averaging over 20 for past 8 nights - Need Help !!

[Ron AKA]

I think you have achieved all you can using the machine with EPR on. I only suggested turning it to ramp only as a test to see if that alternative helps or not. It doesn't help everyone, but it has helped me.

[Sleeprider]

No change in pressure range,
Add EPR full time at 2 and we an look at more or less later,
Soft cervical collar 2-1/2 to 3 inches tall, comfortable fit. Try it, you might like it. At worst you stand to lose $20 and your positional apnea. A c-collar may enable nasal therapy (no promises). Without it, I think your current AHI of 2 is not bad and probably will continue.

[tmrlhk]

Ron AKA pid='255626' dateline='1524368109'][attachment=5498][attachment=5499]I think you have achieved all you can using the machine with EPR on. I only suggested turning it to ramp only as a test to see if that alternative helps or not. It doesn't help everyone, but it has helped me.

Hi Ron,  Good morning !  

I did not change the EPR last night.  The AHI went up a bit to 4.4.  I attached three charts for your review.  These were some of the notable events :

1.  I changed the max pressure to max 19.4 before I slept.  

2. Between 3.30 - 4 am, was kind of half sleep - feeling too much pressure ; and then not enough air around 4 am.  Woke up to change the pressure back to max 20, and from Ramp Auto to " Off".  Have no idea if that was a right move or not.

3. Starting around 6 a.m., I was doing some side sleeps on and off.


May be I can try to set EPR to ramp only tonight.  Have a wonderful Sunday !

[tmrlhk]

No change in pressure range,
Add EPR full time at 2 and we an look at more or less later,
Soft cervical collar 2-1/2 to 3 inches tall, comfortable fit. Try it, you might like it. At worst you stand to lose $20 and your positional apnea. A c-collar may enable nasal therapy (no promises). Without it, I think your current AHI of 2 is not bad and probably will continue.

Good morning !  AHI went a bit up to 4.4 last night . Here are some charts from last night, and the notable events :

1.  I changed the max pressure to max 19.4 before I slept.  

2. Between 3.30 - 4 am, was kind of half sleep - feeling too much pressure ; and then not enough air around 4 am.  Woke up to change the pressure back to max 20, and from Ramp Auto to " Off".  Have no idea if that was a right move or not.

3. Starting around 6 a.m., I was doing some side sleeps on and off.

For the soft cervical collar, are these any good :
Commercial Link Removed, instead search Amazon for VIVE Cervical Collar or Velpeau Collar.

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Moderator Action: Link Removed

To maintain our status as an educational organization, the only commercial links allowed in this forum are to CPAP-related manufacturer websites.  This is stated in the Apnea Board Rules with details given in the Commercial Links Policy section.

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[Ron AKA]

I think you have achieved all you can using the machine with EPR on. I only suggested turning it to ramp only as a test to see if that alternative helps or not. It doesn't help everyone, but it has helped me.

Hi Ron,  Good morning !  

I did not change the EPR last night.  The AHI went up a bit to 4.4.  I attached three charts for your review.  These were some of the notable events :

1.  I changed the max pressure to max 19.4 before I slept.  

2. Between 3.30 - 4 am, was kind of half sleep - feeling too much pressure ; and then not enough air around 4 am.  Woke up to change the pressure back to max 20, and from Ramp Auto to " Off".  Have no idea if that was a right move or not.

3. Starting around 6 a.m., I was doing some side sleeps on and off.


May be I can try to set EPR to ramp only tonight.  Have a wonderful Sunday !

I would suggest again to try it for a couple of nights with EPR set to Ramp Only. You do not have to change the max and min pressure settings. The machine should reduce maximum pressures by itself, and that in itself may provide some comfort. Whether it will improve or increase AHI remains to be seen. I think the key component is OA events, and those are the ones I would focus on reducing. After you have a couple of nights it may be possible to decrease pressure settings. Need to see the results first though.

[Walla Walla]

Just my two cents but I'd listen to Sleeprider's input who has many years here on the board. He has seen just about everything and uses that knowledge when giving advice.
Not just his own experience.

[Sleeprider]

Tmrlhk, the forum rules prohibit links to commercial sites. In order to retain Apnea Board's educational status which allows the distribution of manuals and other materials it is important that the site not link to commercial offers. You can instead ask us to look for the Vive or Velpeau soft cervical collar on Amazon.

I think the Vive 4-inch width is a bit much for most of us. The Velpeau width varies by size from 2-3/4 in small to 3-3/8 in XL which sounds more appropriate for a comfortable fit, but is on the expensive side Others have found the Caldera Relief collar in a correct size is comfortable. We are trying to prevent chin tucking, not brace your neck, so a reasonable height with enough size to comfortable fasten around your neck is the most important aspect. Many other forum members use these, and hopefully will offer a suggestion.

[Ron AKA]

Just my two cents but I'd listen to Sleeprider's input who has many years here on the board. He has seen just about everything and uses that knowledge when giving advice.
Not just his own experience.

Something to consider is that it is not important who is right and who is wrong. What is important is what works for each individual. We are all different and potentially all need somewhat different solutions. If we were all the same there would only be one CPAP machine with one pressure setting, and one mask.

[Sleeprider]

Just my two cents but I'd listen to Sleeprider's input who has many years here on the board. He has seen just about everything and uses that knowledge when giving advice.
Not just his own experience.

I appreciate the vote of confidence, but since we are on a forum, I try to welcome other viewpoints, whether I agree with them or not.  Ron has come a long way in understanding his own needs and apnea issues in general in a short time.  None of us claims exclusive expertise, but I still reserve the right to heckle blatantly wrong information. which so far, I haven't seen here. People on the receiving end of the information and suggestions need to sift through it for the gems and make their own decision.


Our rules: Information contained on this website and forums should not be considered as medical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified physician before seeking treatment for any medical condition, including Sleep Apnea. Always seek the advice of a qualified physician before changing pressure or other settings on any medical device, including CPAP machines.

[tmrlhk]

Just my two cents but I'd listen to Sleeprider's input who has many years here on the board. He has seen just about everything and uses that knowledge when giving advice.
Not just his own experience.

I appreciate the vote of confidence, but since we are on a forum, I try to welcome other viewpoints, whether I agree with them or not.  Ron has come a long way in understanding his own needs and apnea issues in general in a short time.  None of us claims exclusive expertise, but I still reserve the right to heckle blatantly wrong information. which so far, I haven't seen here.  People on the receiving end of the information and suggestions need to sift through it for the gems and make their own decision.


Our rules:  Information contained on this website and forums should not be considered as medical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified physician before seeking treatment for any medical condition, including Sleep Apnea. Always seek the advice of a qualified physician before changing pressure or other settings on any medical device, including CPAP machines.

My gratitude to you all at Apnea Board, with special thanks and appreciation to Ron for his kindness.  As a relatively new member, I am glad that I found this group of extremely nice and caring people.  Thank you !!!

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Just my two cents but I'd listen to Sleeprider's input who has many years here on the board. He has seen just about everything and uses that knowledge when giving advice.
Not just his own experience.

Something to consider is that it is not important who is right and who is wrong. What is important is what works for each individual. We are all different and potentially all need somewhat different solutions. If we were all the same there would only be one CPAP machine with one pressure setting, and one mask.

My gratitude to you all at Apnea Board, with special thanks and appreciation to Ron for his kindness.  As a relatively new member, I am glad that I found this group of extremely nice and caring people.  Thank you !!!