Pressure keeps going up but higher AHI?!

[DeepBreathing]

OK, you have pretty severe obstructive apnea. Luckily you had zero central apneas, so that's one complication you won't have to worry about just now. I see you have #SleepyHead so you can post your results now. You'll need an SD card, but any standard card from a camera or electronics outlet will do the trick. (You don't have to wait for your provider).

[ajack]

Hi I'm new too. From what I've read so far, most seem to take a standard SD card, I'm using the one out of my camera. My resmed s9 is reading it and asked to erase existing data. So if you have a spare card, you may not need to wait till next week.

[Sleeprider]

Hi everyone. 
I was able to get a hold of my first sleep test that was done to tell me if I had sleep apnea. This is without the use of cpap. 

Central arena = 0
Obstructive apnea = 59.2 on supine, 26.3 for other and 42.3 for all 
Hypopnea = 7.6 on supine, 22.3 for other and 15.2 for all
Apena and hypopnea = 66.8 for supine, 48.6 for other and 57.4 for all. 

Total AHI was 54.1
Longest apnea was 52 seconds 
Longest hypopnea was 60 seconds 

This was all under NREM sleep

Does this help at all?

My machine is the dreamstation auto cpap
J154296211D56
Does this help?

This is all very useful information.  You can update your profile to show the Dreamstation Auto http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/usercp.php


On your machine, you can read some additional useful information.  If you could write down the results of this data for us, we can probably help.

Navigate to the Info screen and look at AHI This screen displays the nightly AHI value for the most recent1 day time frame. It also displays the average of these individual nightly AHI values over a 7 day and a 30 day time frame (provided the device has at least 7 or 30 days of data respectively).

Another screen to look at is the 90% information.  This screen displays the nightly value of 90% Pressure for the most recent 1 day time frame. It also displays the average of these individual nightly values of 90% Pressure over a 7 day and a 30 day time frame (provided the device has at least 7 or 30 days of data respectively).

Also note the 90% IPAP and EPAP for 1-day, 7-day and 30 days. 

This information is much of what we see when we read a Sleepyhead chart, but if you're unable to post that data we can use the machine information.

[Sleepygirl84]

hey everyone. 
So just to update you a little bit. 
My computer that had sleepyhead and all my data has broken! 
I'm in the middle of trying to get another one, but in the mean time today I saw someone at a sleep clinic who has been helping with getting me on the right pressure (where I brought the machine) 
As the last 2 nights since my pressure has been up to 18cm bu AHI has increased to 27!! It's like the higher the pressure the more events I have. 
He put me back down to a lower pressure, but asked me to go back and see my specialist as he isn't sure as to why I'm still getting AHI between 10-15. He pointed out in my graphs that my AHI are very inconsistent and that's mosts are Moreno consistent. 
I eneded up breaking down as I am worried that is something more serious then sleep apnea. I'm worried more is going on and worries the specialist might not have any answers for me. 
I'm over being so tired and the effects it's having on my brain and body. 
Has anyone else had a hard time like this?
I am a healthy 32year old woman who is very slim   I have inherited it from my dad. 
I am on anti depressants coz I get bad anxiety and depression which I think is coz of the sleep apnea. Maybe that could be having an effect??
Thanks for listening!

[C0mbe]

That's interesting, it certainly sounds to me like your machine is raising pressures in response to what it sees as potential obstructive instabilities.  

Are you having a lot of leaks? That could cause the pressure to raise to try and compensate for the leak.  You also could be experiencing central apneas due to the high pressures.  

In order to get to the root of the problem, sleepyhead is going to be crucial!

I wouldn't worry about it too much.  If you can be effectively treated with this machine, this forum will help you dial it in! And if it's not the right machine, you change it to one that works for you!

[ajack]

my dad had 40 AHI an hour on my machine, so I sent him off for a sleep study and specialist. it turns out he hasn't apnea but has Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) the muscle jerks which also affect the breathing rate, they are being seen by the machine as an apnea.

I'm giving this as an example, You have had a sleep study, so this would have been picked up if you had it. but what the machine says is an AHI may also be from other causes, besides apnea.

I would put up 'all' the numbers from your machine that have been asked for, to see what some of the clever people here think. I would also see the doctor, to rule out any medication or other illness that may be a factor

[Sleeprider]

Sleepygirl84, you might have missed in post #5, I suggested you REDUCE your pressure. The problems you have, sound like they may have some elements of complex apnea, and rather than be worried, I think there may be some easy solutions. It sure would help us to see the data. So far, all we know is that your sleep study showed OA, you have an Auto CPAP with a pressure of 15.4, and we don't know the actual pressure settings. Your clinic reduced your pressure to what?

We have seen members here that experienced worse apnea with higher pressures, and with some coaching and optimization were able to reduce events using a lower fixed pressure. In most cases, people like yourself have flow limitations that cause auto machines to increase pressure, and increased pressure just increases flow limitation as the pressure becomes difficult to breath against. Lower pressure works, and in some cases bilevel pressure works even better by providing significant pressure relief during exhale. We're here to support you, but it would help immensely if you gave us some real information to work with. For what it's worth, you should bring up these problems with your sleep doctor at your follow-up, including your ongoing fatigue, and try to get situated for a BiPAP.

[0rangebear]

I need help!!
..............
It seems every time I have my pressure moved up I have more apneas.
..........
 Thanks in advance

Welcome to the Team Sleepygirl84 - I  love your approach- you have asked very good questions and articulated them well.  I had the same issue with higher pressures creating more apneas. So keep working on that idea. I found there is a sweet spot that gives me optimum control of the apneas. Lower pressures allow more Hyp and higher creates more OA and CA, although I suspect my machine is note accurately distinguishing between OA and CA.



I also find that if my pressure goes above 16 I have  a significant increase in awakenings and a loss of REM sleep



I see OpalRose gave you some good advice pay close attention to OpalRose's advice she is one smart cookie

Sleepygirl84,
You will need 4 posts to upload your data here.

Use the tutorials in my signature line to organize graphs.

Never fear, someone here will be able to advise once we see what's going on.

My machine is the dreamstation auto cpap
J154296211D56
Does this help?

Sure does1  keep the info coming, it will empower Sleeprider and Deepbrething give you the technical info in your specific machine

.....
We have seen members here that experienced worse apnea with higher pressures, and with some coaching and optimization were able to reduce events using a lower fixed pressure.  In most cases, people like yourself have flow limitations that cause auto machines to increase pressure, and increased pressure just increases flow limitation as the pressure becomes difficult to breath against.  Lower pressure works, and in some cases bilevel pressure works even better by providing significant pressure relief during exhale.  We're here to support you, but it would help immensely if you gave us some real information to work with.  For what it's worth, you should bring up these problems with your sleep doctor at  your follow-up, including your ongoing fatigue, and try to get situated for a BiPAP.

Well-stated Sleeprider - My data analysis, on my Apena, shows it to be like a bell curve.  At pressures above 16 my Asleep Apnea is worse than it is without therapy. 13 -15 is my effective pressure range.

[Sleepygirl84]

I got results from last night - I have tried to upload them. I hope this works.

Please let me know if i can give you all the data from the past couple of months as the person i see where i purchased my cpap machine has played around with my pressures and this is just what he has put be back on until i can get into to my sleep specialist.

I hope the image works!!

[Sleepygirl84]

here is another one