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+--- Thread: AHI is increasing each night (/Thread-AHI-is-increasing-each-night)
AHI is increasing each night - MrSleepInHisEyes - 02-14-2018
Hello,
I am 32 years old. I am 5'11" and 200 pounds. I am physically fit and not over weight. I had a sleep study 5 or 6 years ago where they diagnosed my with sleep apnea when I slept on my back. At the time I didn't want to get on cpap and did my best to sleep on my stomach or side. Fast forward now and I feel awful everyday and cannot figure out how to get a good nights sleep. I decided to buy a Dreamstation and a Dreamwear mask (without pillows) on my own and using Sleepyhead to see how well I can dial in the machine myself. I started to use the machine Feb 10, 2018 and have used it nightly since. I have no problem sleeping with the mask. I have noticed that my ahi has increased each night. Last night, Feb 13, was the first night I woke up in the middle of the night because the pressure was too high. I have ordered a chin strap to help keep my mouth closed. I was using A-flex until the Feb 13 where I changed to C-Flex. I have been trying to sleep on my back because it is the most comfortable for me. Any advice helps. Thank you
Here is a link to my SleepyHead data and DreamMapper data
SleepyHead = https://imgur.com/a/CaUcP
DreamMapper = https://imgur.com/a/M4hAV
RE: AHI is increasing each night - Walla Walla - 02-14-2018
Can't really read your data. If you could post your SleepyHead chart like the link below shows it would help.
RE: AHI is increasing each night - MrSleepInHisEyes - 02-14-2018
Hey, I updated the images. Sorry for the blurry data.
RE: AHI is increasing each night - Walla Walla - 02-14-2018
Try changing your minimum pressure to 8cm and see how that does for you. I think it has to due with side sleeping vs back sleeping. Back sleeping usually leads to higher AHI's.
RE: AHI is increasing each night - MrSleepInHisEyes - 02-14-2018
Hey thank you for taking a look at the data. I did notice that I didn't post all the data. All the SleepyHead data is now uploaded. Does the new data change your suggestion?
RE: AHI is increasing each night - Walla Walla - 02-14-2018
I think a minimum pressure of 8cm will improve things.
RE: AHI is increasing each night - Hojo - 02-14-2018
A chin strap may help, I myself prefer a cervical collar to keep my neck in line. I didn't have obstructive apnea myself until putting a mask on where the straps tucked my chin in. Once I used a collar, all OA events disappeared.
You don't want collar to big or it is uncomfortable, it isn't going to be used to protect your neck after an auto accident.
If this helps, you may find that you don't need as much pressure to fix your apnea.
RE: AHI is increasing each night - ilovemacross - 02-14-2018
I have the same struggling with my setting. I have diagnosed with severe sleep apnea as well. Now I try to raise a min pressure.
Try to raise the pressure first and stick with the setting for 1 week and see a result again.
RE: AHI is increasing each night - trish6hundred - 02-14-2018
Hi MrSleepInHisEyes,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck with CPAP therapy and getting it fine-tuned, you have come to the right place for guidance.
RE: AHI is increasing each night - MrSleepInHisEyes - 02-15-2018
First of all thank you all for replying. I played around with my pressure before going to be and 8 was too much right now. I was having trouble keeping the pressure from escaping from my mouth so I am going to work my up to 8. Last night I set my machine to 6 min and 9 max. My ahi went down a little. I noticed the pressure is dropping under 6 for a few hours total last night. This is because I am using c-flex with the setting at 1. I am going to increase my min pressure to 6.5 tonight and see how it goes. How does the community feel about using flex settings? What about the max pressure. I am keeping it lower because I'm worried that if it is too high that the pressure will start to escape from my mouth. I have ordered a chin strap that will be here Friday. Here is a link to my sleepyhead data. Thanks again. My end goal is get my ahi to under 1 consistently.
https:// imgur.com/a/0FKeB (please remove space in link)