[Diagnosis] High AHI (16) and wake several times

[Linnea]

I have now used the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for 11 days since changing from the DreamStation for 1 1/2 months. I still use the cervical collar.

For the last month or so I've had trouble with insomnia, but last night I slept for 7 hours, a first. I feel great today! AHI 1.43.

Do you see any settings I should change to make it even better? Here are screenshots from last night - Statistics, Overview, Daily, and Daily closeup.

[Sleeprider]

If you feel great, you can leave it as is. The pressure appears to run-away sometimes and I think you can set the maximum pressure at 14 or 15 without any problem. Let's say 15 for maximum just to be conservative. Nice progress and good to see you being comfortable. the limit on maximum pressure should help with that.

[Linnea]

Thank you so much. This is the only place I can get real help. My PCP admits he doesn't know anything about sleep, but goes along with what I ask. The DME doesn't answer phones or return messages.

[Sleeprider]

Linnea, for those that have not followed this story from the beginning, you came to the forum with an AHI over 16 events per hour using a Philips Dreamstation Auto.  Working with the forum you tried a soft cervical collar and immediately cut that AHI to the mid-4s.  You made other improvements, but on our suggestion pursued swapping the Dreamstation for the Autoset.  Your current results speak for themselves.  We are now discussing cutting back maximum pressure rather than increasing pressure, and the relative tranquility of your current chart compared to this is simply amazing!  I just wanted to post this summary because many new members come here with similar issues, and your story offers a lot of hope for improvement and comfort.  I think we will even progress further. 

Starting:



After the cervical collar: 



And now:

[Linnea]

Yes! I am a poster child for the cervical collar.  I will change the max to 15 tonight. Also - leaks and AHI edged up for a few days just before this last result - I was using the same mask cushion for 1 3/4 months and leaks and AHI went back down with a new cushion.

[sheepless]

Linnea, just want to say what an awesome improvement. knowing how lousy we all feel when untreated or poorly treated, it's so great to see you write that you feel great! a testament to the value of this community too.

[Linnea]

I have now used the DreamStation for 44 days, and then the ResMed AirSense 10 for 44 days.
At the suggestion of this forum, I started using a cervical collar which made a TREMENDOUS difference, changed to the AirSense which further reduced AHI, and changed the min and max pressures. I feel so much better all the time. I am indebted to all of you on this forum!
My remaining problem is some insomnia - trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.

My question - are there any settings I can change to make this even better? Any hints for insomnia?

Explanation of charts:
Overview and  statistics of first 44 days on DreamStation:
   1st group - no collar (test AIHI was 45), 2nd group - drug store collar, 3rd group - Dr Dakota collar - more clusters, 4th group - back to drugstore collar
   
[attachment=7129]

Overview and statistics of last 44 days with AirSense:
  Peaks are additional trials of Dr Dakota
   
[attachment=7131]

The next post will have the most recent dailys

[Linnea]

Last  post continued:

Most recent daily; closeup of a good sleep part

   
[attachment=7135]

[Linnea]

Another question- what is the significance of RERA? Occasionally I have several clusters of them, and the AHI is still good.

Attachments:
1. Typical night, few RERA
2. Last night, lots of RERA
3. Closeup of RERA group

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