OA Clusters

[Dave77]

I have always had relatively few OA events while using CPAP.  My AHI ranges from .44 to 4. something with an average of 3.45 mostly made up of CAs and  hypopneas.  My hypopneas are never over 10 and never clustered.  My CAs are sometimes clustered but rarely go over 13 seconds.  I think that the clustered CAs are just tossing and turning.
However, in the last two weeks I have had three nights with clustered OAs.  On one night I took an Advil PM so that could explain that night. It has been hot here and I am using a nasal mask.  Thinking of switching back to pillows.  Also bad allergies right now.
Thinking also of upping my pressure by 1 to 11.
Thoughts -
Thank you - Dave

[cantgettosleep]

Hi,

I suppose your machine is not automatic,  right?

Then I think it is ok to increase the pressure by 1.

But I want to tell that the most important thing is how you are feeling when you wake up. If it is ok, don't worry about a slight change in your cpap numbers.

I was diagnosed in 2003, so I am a little bit experienced in that.

Every night is different than others,, so check how you feel in the morning, have a look at the cpap numbers and only worry if you feel bad or you have many discrepancies in the numbers.

I wish you well!

[Dave77]

Thank you so much for your reply.  I feel well most days.  From my further reading on the forum, I found that OA clusters were caused by positional apnea... mostly chin drop.  I have an automatic machine but have it set at 7.4 to 10.  I will most likely keep it there and watch my chin.
Thanks again Dave

[Sleeprider]

Clustered obstructive apnea are a typical signature of what we often call positional apnea or chin tucking. We discuss it in the Optimizing Therapy wiki http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...onal_Apnea and when it is severe, we often recommend a soft cervical collar to correct it. As far as auto-pressure, we have not found that positional apnea responds to higher pressure in most cases, and it becomes more important to avoid it by considering your pillow height and other issues that might result in chin-tucking.

[Dormeo]

Just to elaborate: a fairly low and firm pillow can help. Depending on how your chin-tucking occurs, it's also possible a neck-support pillow would help. (Those are the pillows with a mound that runs along the bottom edge of the pillow.)

[Dave77]

Thank you so much.  I truly appreciate the information and this board.
Dave