[CPAP] My first 2 weeks sleep results. Please

[Jacob130]

Hello! I'm really happy that I found this forum. I hope you will help me with treatment, and understanding of my condition. 

I decided to do the sleep study because I had always felt sleepy, tired, nervous, and out of touch - almost my entire life.

2 reason was that my girlfriend recorded me one night and the sounds were horrifying for me...


I got the test results (it was a very bad night. I didn't sleep much because the device made me nervous. I got up a few times during the night. After 7 hours, I turned on the device for 1 hour. So the results are 2 (attached).

I have received the device. I've been using it for about 2 weeks. I've got used to it and I can sleep in it all night. I can definitely see an improvement. I am surprised, however, that my AHI at the low pressure set by the doctor is very small.

I know it's good but I tried to change the settings to see how I would feel and it was a bad decision. I immediately felt very nervous, unable to concentrate and felt dizzy.

Last night I slept without my camera and launched the Snorelab application to check the results. It did not detect too many sounds (results attached). But today I am not feeling very well and I will definitely get another 2 hours of CPAP sleep.

I have got some questions:
1. Can I suffer from sleep apnea and not have high AHI?
2. Can you somehow advise me on what I can do to improve my treatment?
3. Does my sleep test show severe sleep apnea?
4. Now I'm renting Lowestein prisma 20A. Should I think about buying this machine or other will be better?

My main problem is air leakage at higher pressure and the fact that I wake up at night and feel like I'm not getting enough air. Ironically, I didn't wake up during episodes before CPAP.


And current settings:

Mode: APAP
P max: 16,5
P min: 5
APAP: std
softpap: Off
Autostart: ON

[OpalRose]

You are questioning your AHI being low while on your Cpap... this is what you want and is a desired outcome.  The low AHI indicates you are well treated.

However, there are adjustments you can make to allow for better comfort.

Your minimum pressure at 5cm is a bit low.  I suggest you change that to 7cm.
Also, turn on the Soft Pap feature.  Set it to 2.  This will allow you to breathe easier against the pressure.  

Also, by utilizing the "SoftPap", you should see an improvement with the Snoring and Reras seen on your report.
The SoftPap (exhale pressure relief) will work if you raise your minimum pressure to 7cm.

If you need a Clinicians Manual, order it here:
https://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p...tup-manual

[Jacob130]

Thank you. I didn't turn on the soft pap before, because I thought I had a problem breathing out while sleeping.

[Jacob130]

well after making the changes suggested by you, I have RERA 10/h, AHI 3/h and my stomach hurt I think because of excessive air - just after a 1h nap.

Does this mean something?

[OpalRose]

Well, one change I suggested was to try SoftPap.  This is the same as ResMed's Exhale Pressure Relief, and is usually helpful with Aerophagia, the swallowing of air.  
It lowers the pressure when you exhale.

Post a chart! A pressure of 7cm minimum is low, but if you feel you can't tolerate it, turn it down to 6cm.
How high is the max pressure going? How are your leaks? Do you mouth breathe?
There could be any number of reasons for Aerophagia.

Again, post a chart so we can compare with the prior chart.

[Jacob130]

Ok, from what I see, the median pressure was 13.5 

Should I try to lower max pressure?

[OpalRose]

This chart is for a 1 hr nap? It's a bit hard to gauge anything by 1 hr. It's not likely you were even asleep for that hr. Awake breathing and asleep breathing aren't the same.

[Jacob130]

Ok, I will try to lower max pressure and will come back with a full night chart