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01-21-2018, 11:00 PM (This post was last modified: 01-22-2018, 12:21 AM by macheta.)
Mild to no Apnea and using CPAP
What do you think of these data points? I cannot afford a sleep study. Do you think I need this CPAP based on these numbers? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
CPAP Auto - Resmed
496 days with .84 AHI
Min 4 Max 14
Switch off with the following:
SWIFT FX NASAL PILLOW–(LARGE) 61523
Full Face UltraSoft™ Memory Foam Cushion for AirTouch and non-memory foam Cusion
01-21-2018, 11:34 PM (This post was last modified: 01-21-2018, 11:49 PM by ajack.)
RE: Mild to no Apnea and using CPAP
Basically yes, you still need cpap. There are events that the machine is responding to. Luckily, you don't need that much pressure to control the events. I would increase the min to 6 for apnea and just better air flow through the mask. max on 14
Talk with your doctor, I wouldn't stop cpap without a sleep study or at least an overnight o2 monitor
I would look at how to display a chart so that the forum can help you better. you will see links in members signature on posts about it.
Welcome. Unfortunately you have asked a question that cannot be answered from the data presented. Your AHI numbers look very good but do not necessarily indicate that you don't need APAP therapy since they may just indicate that the therapy is effective. They don't tell us what your AHI would be without therapy. You may not need a sleep study but I don't have the expertise to tell you definitively.
Your machine is increasing pressure in response to something so I suspect the therapy is warranted. You could try reducing the pressure to a constant setting of 5 or 6 and see what results. A constant setting of 4 is not recommended as you will be starved for air.
It would be helpful if your reorganize your data and post it as described in the link below
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. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Thank you for the feedback. I added removed the previous pictures and re-posted them based on your feedback. Any additional feedback would be greatly appreciated.
01-22-2018, 12:50 AM (This post was last modified: 01-22-2018, 12:55 AM by ajack.)
RE: Mild to no Apnea and using CPAP
That's a lot better, it doesn't matter for now but the pie chart also uses space that hides some other stats.
Given your apnea is well controlled at low pressure, the pressure 4 could also be treating apnea. It needs some one to advise you there.
are you using ramp? I would turn it off as you are getting some snoring before the pressure rises a bit.
As previously said, I'm still suggesting 6. Half just to get some venting of the mask. If you just put the 16th and 17th chart up, it would have warranted a min pressure of 6 for treatment.
Your pressure requirements are so low and your events are so few that you might not need CPAP. The best way to find out would be to buy one of the on line testing kits and do a home test. I think you can get one for around $200.
Membership in the Advisory Members group does not imply medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.
There is no way that I know of from looking at your data that would answer your question since your data is based upon the therapy you are getting. The test is what is your AHI when you are not being treated. For instance, my AHI for the last year is better than your .84 (.59) and my therapy pressures are low (5.6-8.6) yet when I am untreated I have an AHI of 44. So, as others have suggested do a home sleep test and talk with your doctor before stopping your cpap therapy. Congrats on the great results!
Happy Pappin'
Never Give In, Never Give Up
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.
After seeing your data I take back the recommendation to try a constant setting of 5 or 6 to see if your AHI increases. For most of us that, such a low setting would not be effective but it is clear your apnea is effectively treated at low pressures. I agree with ajack that you should increase the lower pressure and turn off ramp.
To eliminate the pie chart in SleepyHead select preferences if the file pull down menu, select the appearance tab, and uncheck show event breakdown pie chart. That will allow us to see all of your machine settings.
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. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
01-22-2018, 08:46 PM (This post was last modified: 01-22-2018, 08:51 PM by macheta.)
RE: Mild to no Apnea and using CPAP
The attachments include the data without the piechart. I updated my setting last night and that is reflected on one of those screen shots. I am interested in taking a home test. What AHI number would be acceptable as being normal? The link below indicates its less than 5 per hour. I'm pretty much always under five with CPAP. I'm at a point right now that I rely on the machine because i've used it since 2015. But its annoying in its own way. My wife appreciates it because it cuts down on the snoring.
