Help Understanding my Numbers and Being Tired

[larrygreg]

So for the past 2 months or so, I have been feeling very tired in the mornings. Lots of brain fog an my eyelids feel very heavy. Took a blood test, my thyroid TSH is up to 2.5 from 1.5.

Decided to check my data. I have a weinman somnobalance, so I can pull the card and read the csv, but the sleepyhead software doesnt work with my machine.

So I have total sleep time and RDI. My sleep hours vary from 5 to 8 hours.

My rdi varies from 1 to to 14 (mostly its under 10)

So what does all this mean? What is a good range of rdi numbers to have.

Cants stand this brain fog anymore or this tiredness I feel in my eyes!!

I should note, I am also a runner, and run about 3.4 Km not flat by hills in about 30 minutes.

I have been losing weight from 110 Kg to now about 98 Kg (target is about 90Kg).

I am also 197 Cm tall

Anyone help with interpreting these numbers and what can I do about this tiredness? Any supplements? I have Gaba and melatonin, but havent taken them

Thanks

Larry

[PoolQ]

I know nothing specific about your machine, I am assuming that "some" things are common among all machines.

your pressure is VERY low, I find I feel starved for air below 6 and you never even get that high. I spend most of my time around 9-10CM. I would try to understand why your machine is set so low. I can only assume that your machine specifies pressure the same as ours across the pond, cm H2O?

I have no idea what comfort settings are available to you, but this can make a huge difference, if your not comfortable then you wont get good sleep.

I have no idea if there is a professional version of software for your machine that the Doctor uses, perhaps you can get hold of that so you can see the nightly detail. If it graphs the results and you can take a scree shot, my guess is that that would be close enough for people here to look at

[Sleeprider]

I agree. Increase pressure and use trial and error if you don't have good data. You should feel the difference. None of the machines sold in the U.S. are capable of pressure less than 4.0 cm, and very few people can use that low pressure.

[chill]

This thread suggests that SleepyHead might work a bit with your machine:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...g-New-data

That might be enough to get some good data.

My AHI is below 1 most nights and my RDI below 3. Note that I am still sleepy so something else is affecting my sleep. Keep in mind this might be the case for you. I do agree that I would start increasing my pressure.

[larrygreg]

Thanks for the feedback.

I can take the machine to the clinic on Tuesday to get it check with the Weinman software.

I believe my pressure is around 5 with an auto ramp up feature.

I can increase it, but just curious what makes you guys think my pressure needs to be increased? I am using a nasal pillow and am just worried I will make a problem if I increase pressure.

Thanks,

Larry

[Rcgop]

I felt the same way, with auto CPAP, let the machine do the work. In my case I started at 4, moved to 5, then to 6. In each case My max pressure stayed around 9. Also, in each case my sleep quality improved greatly. It seams I am sensitive to the change in pressure.

[Sleeprider]

Thanks for the feedback.

I can take the machine to the clinic on Tuesday to get it check with the Weinman software.

I believe my pressure is around 5 with an auto ramp up feature.

I can increase it, but just curious what makes you guys think my pressure needs to be increased? I am using a nasal pillow and am just worried I will make a problem if I increase pressure.

Thanks,

Larry

Larry, you said your RDI is around 10 most nights. That is really plenty of indication that you still have enough obstruction to cause respiratory event related arousals. Playing by the averages, very few people have pressure as low as what you are using, because it does not work to keep the airway open. The auto algorithm should increase pressure until obstruction is cleared, and not increase any more. So usually the minimum pressure is important to prevent obstructive events. In your case, the maximum pressure is probably too low to allow the machine to do its job.

[OpalRose]

Hi larrygreg,
In your first post, you state that you can't stand the brain fog or the tiredness.

That statement alone plus the high RDI would indicate that your current pressure setting is not optimal to take care of apnea events. Sleeprider has given you excellent advice.

You also need to get your thyroid in balance.

[larrygreg]

OK,
So checked my settings. The startup pressure was 4 and I increased it to 5. Normal pressure was 5 and I increased to 6.

Will keep you folks posted as to what the results are and how I feel

Thanks,

Larry

[sonicboom]

Larry:

I use nasal pillows with pressures on the lower side of normal: 4.6-7.6. At these pressures there are no problems with the pillows creating any problem at least for me. I agree with what everyone else has stated. You likely need a pressure increase to lower RDI. RDI is a combination of AHI and RERAs. If the software available to you can tell you how much is AHI versus RERA that would be helpful. RERAs disrupt sleep as much as apneas since by definition they are arousals.

Keep us posted as to the effects of your changes in pressures. Hang in there.