[CPAP] How many charts/images needed for help interpreting results?

[mr. walters]

Hello,

I started CPAP on 12/4/2017. I was diagnosed with a total AHI of 28.4 and AHI of 41.5 in supine position. 

Jan 1 I had AHI of 7.65 with 40 obstructive apneas according to sleepyhead. I would like help in lowering AHI. Just wanted to know how many sleeplyhead chart images I should submit, i.e. last three days?

I've also been been trying to minimize mask leaks and had only one large leak on Jan 1. I am using philips respironics amara view.

thanks

[CB91710]

How many depends on how consistent you are from night to night.
Also important is having the charts formatted properly so we have the right information and none of the "fluff" like the calendar and the pie chart.

One typical night can be extremely helpful if you tend to be consistent. Someone may ask that you zoom in on a particular section, so you may need to post more than one even of the same night.

[Sleeprider]

The first two links in my signature describe how to organize and post charts. Until you have 4 posts needed to post a link, just add a space in the image link like h ttp://yourLinkHere.com. Since your pressure is 6-20, events are obstructive or hypopnea, and you're using a Philips Dreamstation, it's almost a foregone conclusion your minimum pressure is too low. So post one or more charts and I suspect we can put together a plan.

[mr. walters]

I've uploaded 4 images that are representative of SH results.

h ttps://imgur.com/a/EKZfG

Thanks in advance for all advice.

[Hojo]

extra space in your link, this should work;

https://imgur.com/a/EKZfG

[Walla Walla]

I would do two things. First I'd bump the minimum pressure to 11cm and next I'd go buy a soft cervical collar to prevent tucking your chin in and cutting off your airway.

[trish6hundred]

Hi mr. walters,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck with CPAP therapy.

[Sleeprider]

The suggestions by Walla are very good, and I agree. Events are predominately obstructive, including all the CA, H and FL (flow limitation). I'm a bit surprised not to see more snoring.  The Philips Dreamstation Auto is a relatively slow machine to respond to obstructive cues, compared to Resmed, and it tends to drop pressure fairly fast.  I think a minimum pressure of 11.0 is likely to work, but you need to deal with the positional apnea.  The clustering of events is what points to a positional apnea (chin tucking) that may respond to a soft cervical collar.  Your median pressure here was 11.9 and you got over 17 cm. Using a collar will reduce those pressures and result in better treatment.  Leak rate is good, and may also improve with the collar.

The good news is, this is simple obstructive apnea, and you are going to do great, with a very low event rate once you're dialed in.

[mr. walters]

Thanks Walla Walla & Sleeprider for advice.  

I just bought a soft cervical collar today and will try it out tonight as well as bumping up the pressure to 11 as suggested. I look forward to lowering the event rate. It's encouraging to know that I just have simple obstructive apnea and that things will get better.

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Thanks for the welcome trish6hundred.