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Please HELP! New CPAP user .. 3.5 weeks in .. AHI still avg high 4 - mid 6 range
#1
Please HELP! New CPAP user .. 3.5 weeks in .. AHI still avg high 4 - mid 6 range
[attachment=2708]New to the CPAP world. Got a dreamstation auto (upgraded from pro after 3 weeks). Numbers still are not right IMO. Using dreamwear now but previously simplus mask and respironics nasal pillows. Put my data in sleepyhead but not an expert in understanding. Be great to talk with one to understand what is happening. So far leaks are minimal and my AHI jumps into the 13 range daily between 3:00am and 5:00am. Before that usually 4 or less. Averaging 5.3ish AHI on auto 6-10 9 @90%.
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#2
RE: Please HELP! New CPAP user .. 3.5 weeks in .. AHI still avg high 4 - mid 6 range
I think that your limit of 10 is to low. If your Dreamstation is set on Auto it will help you find a better setting but you are limiting it too low. I have bumped up my max pressure to 20. It has never gone over 16 and hovers around 13 to 13 most of the time. It takes time to play with the settings and let your body adjust. That is the beauty of an auto cpap it will do a lot of the work for you. If you let it. Sleep-well

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#3
RE: Please HELP! New CPAP user .. 3.5 weeks in .. AHI still avg high 4 - mid 6 range
I have links to the supporting data but it won't let me post them. If you are interested hopefully I can PM them. Thanks in advance!
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#4
RE: Please HELP! New CPAP user .. 3.5 weeks in .. AHI still avg high 4 - mid 6 range
G'day Mike, welcome to Apnea Board.

Once you've got four posts up you will be able to include clickable links. It would be good to see some of your daily charts for more detail as to what's happening.

This link tells you how to set up your SleepyHead output for best value: http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...ganization
This link tells you about screen captures and such: http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...Screenshot
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#5
RE: Please HELP! New CPAP user .. 3.5 weeks in .. AHI still avg high 4 - mid 6 range
It's weird. Now it says I need 8 posts not 4 to post links.
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#6
RE: Please HELP! New CPAP user .. 3.5 weeks in .. AHI still avg high 4 - mid 6 range
Trying again. Here are my PDF's from SleepyHead!

**OVERVIEW**
http://mikeandgreta.com/sleepyhead_overv...dacted.pdf
http://mikeandgreta.com/sleepyhead_stats...dacted.pdf

**RANDOM SAMPLES** (note I switched to auto about 5 days ago)
http://mikeandgreta.com/sleepyhead_daily...dacted.pdf
http://mikeandgreta.com/sleepyhead_daily...dacted.pdf
http://mikeandgreta.com/sleepyhead_daily...dacted.pdf
http://mikeandgreta.com/sleepyhead_daily...dacted.pdf
http://mikeandgreta.com/sleepyhead_daily...dacted.pdf
http://mikeandgreta.com/sleepyhead_daily...dacted.pdf
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#7
RE: Please HELP! New CPAP user .. 3.5 weeks in .. AHI still avg high 4 - mid 6 range
Hi Mike. The rule was recently changed and you can now post links after 4 posts (with a bit of waiting time for the system to catch up).

Almost all your events are hypopneas, which are an obstruction of the airway without complete blockage. They are still considered a problem which is why they are included in your AHI. Because they are obstructive in nature, an increase in pressure should take care of them. I suspect your minimum pressure is too low, especially when combined with "flex" which drops the pressure when you exhale. I'd check with your doctor about raising the minimum to around 8 and see how that goes. When you make changes, only change one parameter at a time then don't touch anything for a week until your body acclimatises to the new setting. You're looking for a trend rather than changes on a nightly basis.
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#8
RE: Please HELP! New CPAP user .. 3.5 weeks in .. AHI still avg high 4 - mid 6 range
Ok. Thank you! So I should not increase the top end beyond 10 and just start with 8 on the min? Or would you recommend going to something like 8 - 12? Also any idea why my AHI goes materially higher between 3am and 5am most mornings?
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#9
RE: Please HELP! New CPAP user .. 3.5 weeks in .. AHI still avg high 4 - mid 6 range
Ah yes - probably a good idea to raise the upper limit as well - it gives the machine a bit of "headroom" which it may or may not use.

I suspect the higher number of events is due to REM sleep or perhaps you change position around that time. Sleeping on your back is not good for apnea.

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#10
RE: Please HELP! New CPAP user .. 3.5 weeks in .. AHI still avg high 4 - mid 6 range
Many people have a higher AHI during REM sleep. You need to setup your machine so it can deal with it. This one of the things that auto machines are very good for.
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