(05-26-2016, 08:12 PM)NorthernGuy Wrote: I am a new APAP user....... During my sleep study my AHI was in the 30's. Most of my apneas were obstructive and occurring during REM stages. Very few central apnea events......Since I have been on APAP my AHI is stuck around 7-9 with only 2-3 OSA event/night. The rest are now showing up as clear apneas or hypoapneas.
Should I continue to see improvements or is this the best I will see?
Hello Northern Guy - when you say 'new user' how long have you actually been using xPAP? My advice would echo other Members' replies but for me it would also depend on how long you have been on treatment.
Based on my experience - it took at least a month for the AHI to settle down, it was very rarely below 5. My test AHI was 60, no centrals.
But then, for the next year, I could have some good results - AHI 2-3 and decent nights' sleep - sometimes, but also very poor results (AHI to 15) and poor quality sleep, for maybe 15-20% of nights. Over this time the central apnoeas started to appear and increased, to 3-5/hour.
Your centrals may well be temporary - caused by xPAP pressures - but if you have already been on treatment for months then they may be 'real' and permanent.
To cut a long story short, I asked to change to BiPAP (as I was not tolerating expiration against the very high pressures I sometimes needed). By mistake, my technician actually arrived with an Aircurve ASV for me, not BiPAP, but we decided between us that, why not, I should try it.
I would fight to the death now! not to hand back my ASV machine - the quality of sleep, the disappearance of almost all sleep apnoea related symptoms, and an average AHI of less than 1.
So, in summary, yes it can take time (weeks, months) to settle to xPAP. The advice above re tinkering with settings, finding the right mask etc, is crucial.
But if you are 'doing all the right things' and consistently, for months, more than 50% of your events are central, and you still have poor sleep or SA symptoms, than I would suggest documenting all this with Sleepyhead graphs and discussing it with your doctor. Many, many posts on this Board unfortunately confirm the tedious and stressful journey many SA patients have to undertake to eventually be given the ASV machine that was indicated from early on.
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All my opinions are only as an xPAP user trying to help another xPAP user.
No suggestions I may make should be taken as professional advice.
If you have medical concerns please consult a doctor
My current pressures: Auto-ASV. EPAP 10-13. PS 3-10