Newbie
New to this forum. And to CPAP.
After seeing my doc for a possible upper chest infection (lung x-ray clear) and complaining of gasping for breath during sleep, I was sent to the sleep lab for testing. Home test overnight diagnosed as severe apnea, AHI=38.
When the chest infection cleared up, I no longer had symptoms, but started CPAP treatment at the direction of the lab and my doc.
I am learning about all the good stuff available with sleepyhead (and the not-so good from the supplied dreammapper), but question #1 before going too far:
My AHI is under 5 every night .. . currently averaging about 2.9.
Just a quick starter question for the experienced...
Is this low AHI from CPAP treatment, or because I was symptomatic only during illness?
RE: Newbie
Well, there is a way to test that, I don't recommend it but you could simply turn the machine down to almost 0 help breathing and see what happens, but I think that is not smart. You should have gone through a titration sleep study to determine how to setup your machine (and if it would help) if so, then I assume your question is whether that study was negatively influenced by your chest infection and the doctor didn't notice? Well, it's possible, if that happened you need a new doctor. Personally I would give the doctor the benefit of the doubt and assume they took it into consideration. If you don't think so, then I would recommend a new sleep study to verify you need the CPAP machine.
I am not a Medical professional and I don't play one on the internet.
Started CPAP Therapy April 5, 2016
I'd Rather Be Sleeping
RE: Newbie
Yes, it would be reasonable to assume that your AHI of under 5 is from Cpap treatment.
When you are able, filled out your profile, machine, mask, pressure, etc.
How long have you been on Cpap?
RE: Newbie
Many people experience episodes of OSA for only a short period. This can be the result of an upper respiratory infection that causes nasal congestion, along with swelling of the throat, or tonsillitis that temporarily produces very enlarged tonsils. The Epstein-Barr virus, for example, is known to be able to dramatically increase the size of lymphoid tissue during acute infection, and OSA is fairly common in acute cases of severe infectious mononucleosis. Temporary spells of OSA syndrome may also occur in individuals who are under the influence of a drug (such as alcohol) that may relax their body tone excessively and interfere with normal arousal from sleep mechanisms.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2004-Bon Jovi
it'll take more than a doctor to prescribe a remedy
Observations and recommendations communicated here are the perceptions of the writer and should not be misconstrued as medical advice.
RE: Newbie
(03-29-2016, 12:35 PM)jkendall49 Wrote: Home test overnight diagnosed as severe apnea, AHI=38.
...
When the chest infection cleared up, I no longer had symptoms, but started CPAP treatment at the direction of the lab and my doc.
...
My AHI is under 5 every night .. . currently averaging about 2.9.
...
Is this low AHI from CPAP treatment, or because I was symptomatic only during illness?
The low AHI is because you are now using CPAP.
Yes, the chest infection could have made the OSA a bit worse. But a chest infection is not going to cause a person with NORMAL sleep to all of a sudden have an AHI of 38. My guess is that at best your natural OSA is well into the moderate range (15-30 events per hour.) And it could well be severe (over 30 events per hour). The CPAP is what's giving you the nice low AHI right now.
RE: Newbie
Hi jkendall49,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
It sounds like you are doing well with your therapy, just stick with it.
Much success to you with your CPAP therapy.
trish6hundred
RE: Newbie
I concur with robysue's assessment of your situation, jk. 
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.
ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.
03-30-2016, 09:12 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-30-2016, 09:14 AM by jkendall49.)
RE: Newbie
(03-29-2016, 12:52 PM)FrankNichols Wrote: Well, there is a way to test that, I don't recommend it but you could simply turn the machine down to almost 0 help breathing and see what happens, but I think that is not smart. You should have gone through a titration sleep study to determine how to setup your machine (and if it would help) if so, then I assume your question is whether that study was negatively influenced by your chest infection and the doctor didn't notice? Well, it's possible, if that happened you need a new doctor. Personally I would give the doctor the benefit of the doubt and assume they took it into consideration. If you don't think so, then I would recommend a new sleep study to verify you need the CPAP machine. Yes, I guess that would be they way! After reviewing all the responses, I think I am over my denial!
Thanks.
(03-29-2016, 12:56 PM)OpalRose Wrote: Yes, it would be reasonable to assume that your AHI of under 5 is from Cpap treatment.
When you are able, filled out your profile, machine, mask, pressure, etc.
How long have you been on Cpap? Thanks. I hadn't really thought through the process; it is only logical that CPAP is working. Denial gone!
Thanks
03-30-2016, 09:16 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-30-2016, 09:18 AM by jkendall49.)
RE: Newbie
(03-29-2016, 03:14 PM)0rangebear Wrote: Many people experience episodes of OSA for only a short period. This can be the result of an upper respiratory infection that causes nasal congestion, along with swelling of the throat, or tonsillitis that temporarily produces very enlarged tonsils. The Epstein-Barr virus, for example, is known to be able to dramatically increase the size of lymphoid tissue during acute infection, and OSA is fairly common in acute cases of severe infectious mononucleosis. Temporary spells of OSA syndrome may also occur in individuals who are under the influence of a drug (such as alcohol) that may relax their body tone excessively and interfere with normal arousal from sleep mechanisms.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Interesting . . .Thanks
(03-29-2016, 03:22 PM)robysue Wrote: (03-29-2016, 12:35 PM)jkendall49 Wrote: Home test overnight diagnosed as severe apnea, AHI=38.
...
When the chest infection cleared up, I no longer had symptoms, but started CPAP treatment at the direction of the lab and my doc.
...
My AHI is under 5 every night .. . currently averaging about 2.9.
...
Is this low AHI from CPAP treatment, or because I was symptomatic only during illness?
The low AHI is because you are now using CPAP.
Yes, the chest infection could have made the OSA a bit worse. But a chest infection is not going to cause a person with NORMAL sleep to all of a sudden have an AHI of 38. My guess is that at best your natural OSA is well into the moderate range (15-30 events per hour.) And it could well be severe (over 30 events per hour). The CPAP is what's giving you the nice low AHI right now.
Everyone seems to be in agreement . . .Thanks
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