Help me understand CA

[taha]

So I have been noticing some CAs (0.08 central AHI over the last 10 days since i started therapy) and I have some questions. Latest SH data posted below.

1. Considering the higher pressure and leak rate at around 9.30 AM, would you say that this was a central or a case of mistaken identity.
2. Is it normal for most people to get some centrals or is this something I should be concerned with.



I can deal with OSA, but centrals worry me a little as I keep thinking maybe somethings wrong with my heart or brain. I know the rates are extremely low but a second opinion.

[Walla Walla]

You only have one. It's not something to worry about. Everyone has one or two from time to time. I'll let someone smarter than me explain in more detail.

[Sleeprider]

I'm only here because I'm smarter than Walla Walla, but I have the same observation. If you roll over in bed, it can cause you to hold your breath long enough to score a CA. Your treatment effectiveness is better than 99% of the people here, including myself. About the only thing left is not having therapy breaks.

[taha]

Thank you both. I know I can get a bit obsessed about small things. I will try relax and keep my mouth shut (pun intended).

[Hojo]

I'm too much of a newbie but I agree, and if you zoom in to the actual event, it could show us (and you), what may have transpired that caused the CA; moving or rolling over in bed.

[upsman]

I'm glad you posted this question, taha. I was wondering about the very same thing.
Especially since I have COPD, the Centrals are of most concern to me. It's good to know that the few of them I have nightly could be attributed to change of sleep position. Assuming they are unrelated to any other event.

I can rest a little easier now.

[HalfAsleep]

If you'd like a look "up close and personal" at what central events look like on a sleep study, look at Sleep Rider's analysis in the thread, "What's with this newbie data?" Then look at your own and see how it applies to you.

[taha]

More centrals than Obstructive. Please help me understand whats going on?

[sonicboom]

Taha -

1 or 2 events is nothing to be concerned or alarmed about.  It could easily be positional.    Also remember that your CPAP therapy is not a sleep lab so there is always the possibility that the machine did not score the event correctly even though research has shown that the most popular current CPAP machines score events fairly well.  For a good explanation of the difference between the apnea events see this article:

http://www.alaskasleep.com/blog/types-of...tral-mixed

[OpalRose]

taha,
I see nothing unusual with your data.  In fact, it looks very good.  The few Clear Airways you see are nothing to worry about.  We all get a few now and then.  Unless you see the CA count rise above 5 and they are a significant portion of your AHI, they are not anything to worry about.  

The few graphs you’ve posted all show low AHI numbers, but doesn’t look like you are getting enough sleep.  This is what you should be working on.  

I know easier said than done.    I’ve been there!  When I first started therapy, I had high anxiety and didn’t sleep well with the machine.  I had to “talk” myself into “trusting” the machine and that it would do the job.  You can do this!  Don’t fret over a couple CA events.  

Ok, if you don’t trust the machine, listen to the good folk here.  Most of us have suffered through adapting to the machine, finding the right mask and just simply getting used to a forgein object attached to your face.