high Hypopnea and raised AHI
Hello All, I have been on CPAP now for 4 months. My average AHI over 4 months is between 7-8, which seems high. When evaluating my data with Sleepy head software - I only have about 3-5 OA events per night but my Hypopnea seems to be quite high - normally around 15-20 evens per night. But I do sleep much better now on CPAP than When I did not have it - sleep test showed a 34.4 AHI under sleep lab conditions.
Other than controlling mask leaks (using a FFM and chin strap) I do not know what else I can do to reduce the AHI or the Hypopnea.
Also I note that with the SLeepy Head software - that my flow chart some periods where no data is collected. No idea why.
Any recommendations or advise would be appreciated.
Buffalo Bob
12-31-2014, 10:59 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-31-2014, 01:27 PM by justMongo.)
RE: high Hypopnea and raised AHI
You were formerly stationed at Ramstein Air Base?
You might lower the Hypos by sleeping on your side; or a slight raise in pressure. You have an auto with a pressure range set to 6 to 16 cm-H2O. Look at sleepyhead to see where your pressure is at just prior to hypos. If near the low end, raise the 6 a bit.
Es ist 1700 Uhr in Kaiserslautern.
12-31-2014, 11:26 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-31-2014, 11:27 AM by Sleeprider.)
RE: high Hypopnea and raised AHI
I suspect if you look at the data closely you will see the hypopneas all occur at lower pressure. Look for the minimum pressure that seems to extinguish them, and set the machine minimum to that that. You probably don't have to adjust maximum pressure, unless you see the machine reaching that threshold often, and unable to stop OA. Hypopneas are responsive to small increases in pressure, and that approach will probably solve this.
For periods of no flow data, are there large leaks?
RE: high Hypopnea and raised AHI
Check your headgear. If it is at all stretched out or you have to tighten more and more, You may need new headgear. MY AHI was slowly rising with lots of hypopneas and when I got new headgear and straps my AHI dropped back down.
RE: high Hypopnea and raised AHI
(12-31-2014, 11:26 AM)Sleeprider Wrote: I suspect if you look at the data closely you will see the hypopneas all occur at lower pressure. Look for the minimum pressure that seems to extinguish them, and set the machine minimum to that that. You probably don't have to adjust maximum pressure, unless you see the machine reaching that threshold often, and unable to stop OA. Hypopneas are responsive to small increases in pressure, and that approach will probably solve this.
For periods of no flow data, are there large leaks?
RE: high Hypopnea and raised AHI
Thanks all.
Will take a look and see at what pressure my Hypos begin and then make adjustments to the minimum pressure settings. Unfortunately due to spinal problems I have to sleep on my back and can not sleep on my side.
Buffalo Bob
Yes - I was stationed at Ramstein on active duty for 6 years and then 20 years more as a contractor and Govt service.
RE: high Hypopnea and raised AHI
(12-31-2014, 10:59 AM)justMongo Wrote: You were formerly stationed at Ramstein Air Base?
You might lower the Hypos by sleeping on your side; or a slight raise in pressure. You have an auto with a pressure range set to 6 to 16 cm-H2O. Look at sleepyhead to see where your pressure is at just prior to hypos. If near the low end, raise the 6 a bit.
Es ist 1700 Uhr in Kaiserslautern.
Thanks Just Mongo. I raised the lower pressure setting from 6 to 8 and now I have 50% less Hypos. Thanks for the suggestion.
Buffalo Bob
