For Her results compared to CPAP

[Apnea Infant]

So I used the For Her last night. Supposed all things considered, it can be called a good night.

However, what I expected was for a result closer to AHI of zero or at least a low >1 which I had been getting often with CPAP. Attached last nights data and also the night before for comparison. It appears that last night's AHI of 1.08 as compared with the night before of 0.8 is worse and with comparatively phenomenal flow limits. Why is this happening? Is the reduction in pressure with APAP causing flow limits to register before it automatically bumps up for obstructions. 

Must say though that tidal volume is better 95% @ 420  for APAP compared to usual 95% @ 380 for CPAP

I know one nights readings do not a trend make but..............am I one of those cases where CPAP is better than APAP?

[Walla Walla]

The difference from one night to the next is almost nothing. I wouldn't base anything on it. I'll bet the for her model being the newer one maybe just that much better at picking up flow restrictions and events. But like I said it's too small a change to point at anything.

[Sleeprider]

Overall, not much difference in results. Flow limits and leaks were higher with the For Her, and that alone could explain the transient CA events. I agree with Walla that there isn't much to differentiate the AHI, and one night is not a fair comparison considering the changes this makes. I would expect that after a week, you will have enough information to make a comparison, both in terms of the numerical AHI and how you feel.

With Autoset, you will nearly always average your maximum set pressure due to the flow limitations. In your case, we have to limit the maximum pressure for comfort and aerophagia, so you may end up setting your maximum pressure set equal to your recent CPAP pressure, for comfort and ending up with the same results. You are getting about 15 minutes at the beginning of the session at lower pressure until the flow limits force the auto pressure to the maximum, so I really don't expect much difference for you in CPAP compared to Autoset.

[DariaVader]

Consider that the lowest AHI might not be your best night of sleep. When you sleep better, you may need more therapy, not less. Go by how it makes you feel when the results are low.

[Apnea Infant]

So embarrassingly, the last 2 nights as attached is better than the first night. Sorry for being hysterical.

https://imgur.com/a/DayX0

But...........something strange happened last night from which I have attached 3 screenshots. I remember a rain-out as evidenced by the breaks as I dried myself off a couple of times. Then I found I could not breathe and had to breathe out hard as evidenced between 05.15 and 06.00 It was by accident that I brushed my hand against the mask that I realised that there was no 'designed leaks' i.e. my expiration was not escaping. I started to develop a headache and realised in retrospect that I must have been breathing my own CO2 during that period. I got up, dried out the holder of the pillows and changed to another pillow. Ensured there was intentional leaks through the mask before settling down to try to sleep and finally managed to get another hours sleep, thank goodness.

I know London is not colder than Scotland nor parts of the US and Canada but last night was the coldest here at -3*. Also had to reduce the humidity from 4 to 3 as the colder air in the tube was not able to hold humidity and hence the rain out, I think. Does anyone have any other view as to what was happening to me last night?

Does rain out cause the intentional leak vents to be closed?

[Sleep2Snore]

I found it took a few days for the machine to get used to me, then after a while I rarely get much AHIs at all, except last night when I knocked the nasal pillows off and got a nasty red angry face this morning.  One nostril was breathing without the machine   I think you need a week to get used to each other.

[Walla Walla]

Yes your right about moisture clogging up the P10 vents. Your also right about turning down the humidifier as a cure. Two other things you can do instead of turning down the humidifier is increase temp on a heated hose or use a hose cover if your not using one.

[Apnea Infant]

Fab, thanks for that Walla x2.

Yes I have read much about the hose cover and will look into it or make something this xmas break. Thinking I needed to help warm the tube up I placed it under the duvet which I have never had to do nor have done before last night and that helped too.

[Mosquitobait]

FWIW, the heated hose eliminates a lot of rainout, but not all of it. I still get rainout problems now and then. Can't even say it is a certain time of year. Almost seems random. Of course now, with my wires broken because I stepped on my hose (again), I've nothing to prevent rainout. Sigh. Think it's time to buy a hose cozy.

[SarcasticDave94]

Here's my FWIW: heated hose is a must for me. The prior blower, the DreamStation BiPAP had lots of moisture in the non heated hose. Never had one with it for the 3 months it was here. Almost every setting caused the hose to collect moisture. Now on my ResMed ASV and the heated hose, zero moisture, rain-out, etc. My settings are manual 8/8 & 86°F BTW, so if one sets self up for rain-out, that should be me.

If you can get the heated hose, it would be a plus. I have yet to get the cover, but that can't hurt either. And it's on my wish list. (Heard it helps keep it warm when I breathe coffee fumes from humidifier tub. )

Dave