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do I really have apnea??? - insomniac999 - 07-13-2016
Hello, I'm new here,
I have just started therapy on a Resmed airsense 10 autoset (4-20) which I have on location for 6 weeks.
Night 1 showed AHI of 0 and second night AHI of 2. I got almost 100 percent on the dashboard (no leakage etc.).
Investigating causes of insomnia I went for a sleep study which led to the apnea therapy. It showed an average AHI=13.4 (mild) supine AHI=23 and REM AHI=36.7 with O2 below 90% 10% of the night and lowest at 78%.
Should'nt the AHI readings be much higher as I am only beginning this therapy?
I will do it if it helps my insomnia but I am not totally confident in the private sector firm which tested me in the first place and who are somewhat linked to the CPAP machine supplier.
Please help!
RE: do I really have apnea??? - Crimson Nape - 07-13-2016
Hi insomniac999 - Welcome to the forum!
Some people take to therapy from the start while others take time. You just might be a lucky one. Based off of what you're reporting, it would seem that it's working for you.
I would recommend that you download SleepyHead so you can get a better picture of what is occurring during your sleep cycle. The numbers displayed on the machine screen won't provide the real story. . .They're like a recap without specifics.
Insomnia can occur while you are adapting to your new sleeping environment. Were you experiencing insomnia before treatment? The main question is; How do you feel?
RE: do I really have apnea??? - chill - 07-13-2016
Welcome!
I think you are missing one thing: the higher AHI numbers were when you were NOT on the machine. The lower ones are when you are on the machine. They mean the machine is effectively treating your potential to have Apneas, not that you won't have them without the machine.
RE: do I really have apnea??? - KSMatthew - 07-13-2016
(07-13-2016, 03:35 PM)chill Wrote: Welcome!
I think you are missing one thing: the higher AHI numbers were when you were NOT on the machine. The lower ones are when you are on the machine. They mean the machine is effectively treating your potential to have Apneas, not that you won't have them without the machine.
Yeah, AHI is like a golf score, lower is better.
Your sleep study shows AHI numbers from 13.4 up to 36.7. Once you got on your PAP, you dropped to 2 or less. That's really good, normally anything less than 5 means you wouldn't even be considered to have sleep apnea if you were not on the blower.
You are a success story.
RE: do I really have apnea??? - DariaVader - 07-13-2016
I have never had much of an AHI while being treated. It happens that way for some of us.
your test clearly indicated apnea. The therapy is working, rather than unnecessary! Possibly it can still be tweaked to give you optimum benefit - mine has been 
RE: do I really have apnea??? - bons - 07-13-2016
"It showed an average AHI=13.4 (mild) supine AHI=23 and REM AHI=36.7 with O2 below 90% 10% of the night and lowest at 78%."
MILD simply refers to the number of time you stopped breathing (you can google the diagnoses). People with "mild" OSA can still be at risk of serious medical problems if left untreated. You oxygen saturation was at an unhealthy number 10% of the time you were sleeping, and at a dangerous level of 78% at one point. From the averages, it looks like you spent a good part of the night on your side, and not in REM. Sleeping on your back and/or dreaming puts your AHI up considerably - any given night spent more on your back could really lower your oxygen rates, and at 78% those increased apneas would not be good.
Someone with "severe" OSA but who has shorter apnea events and less reduction in oxygen levels could be at a lower risk of permanent damage.
Cpaps don't cure sleep apnea -they eliminate the symptoms by opening your airway. It doesn't slowly decrease events, but attempts to eliminate them immediately with use. Sometimes you will see a gradual reduction reported by someone, but that is almost always because the prescribed pressure may be too low to splint the airway, and when pressures are adjusted and AHI continues to decrease.
Your treatment seems to be working well for you. Stopping it because your AHI is below 5 would be like someone with diabetes stopping their meds because their blood sugar levels are normal while taking the drugs.
RE: do I really have apnea??? - Mosquitobait - 07-13-2016
(07-13-2016, 03:12 PM)insomniac999 Wrote: Hello, I'm new here,
I have just started therapy on a Resmed airsense 10 autoset (4-20) which I have on location for 6 weeks.
Night 1 showed AHI of 0 and second night AHI of 2. I got almost 100 percent on the dashboard (no leakage etc.).
Investigating causes of insomnia I went for a sleep study which led to the apnea therapy. It showed an average AHI=13.4 (mild) supine AHI=23 and REM AHI=36.7 with O2 below 90% 10% of the night and lowest at 78%.
Should'nt the AHI readings be much higher as I am only beginning this therapy?
I will do it if it helps my insomnia but I am not totally confident in the private sector firm which tested me in the first place and who are somewhat linked to the CPAP machine supplier.
Please help!
You are getting the same great numbers that I did when I first started out. Other than the insomnia, you should start feeling better within a week or so and much better after a couple more weeks as your body recovers from lack of good sleep. Yes, those numbers are because you are being TREATED.
If you doubt this, after a few weeks, set your machine to straight cpap and set your pressure at say 6 (which most people can breathe at pretty comfortably). Then look at your Sleepyhead results. I'll bet your AHI is MUCH higher.
RE: do I really have apnea??? - Rcgop - 07-13-2016
In a word, yes. Treatment is not like allergy shots, if the machine is adjusted right, it works completely, if it adjusted close it mostly works and if not adjusted, it may work sometimes.
The big problem is, can you sleep with the mask in your face. Its a problem forever because it's as much about gravity as an illness. And gravity never goes away.
I started out with a less problem than you and I am still trying to sleep. The good news that it is getting better every week.
If you are sleeping well, don't stop what what you are doing.
Best of luck.
RE: do I really have apnea??? - srlevine1 - 07-13-2016
(07-13-2016, 03:12 PM)insomniac999 Wrote: Hello, I'm new here,
I will do it if it helps my insomnia but I am not totally confident in the private sector firm which tested me in the first place and who are somewhat linked to the CPAP machine supplier.
Please help!
Ask for a copy of your sleep study that was signed by a physician and seek a second opinion from another sleep specialist if you still have doubts. The second doctor should be able to look at the study and access the raw data if necessary. This should bring you greater peace of mind.
As for the relationship between the physician and the DME, most physicians offer referrals. Kickbacks in some form are not unknown, but outright fraud is relatively rare. If in doubt, consult your insurance company and seek their advice.
RE: do I really have apnea??? - trish6hundred - 07-14-2016
Hi insomniac999,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
I know CPAP therapy can take some getting used to, but just stick with it, it does get better over time.
Good luck to you on your CPAP journey.