Need Help with Adjustments - Sleepyhead Newbie

[littlefatcat]

My sleep study was done on 3/21. Result was 83 events per minute. I started out with an Airsense 10 CPAP machine. It was originally set at 8, then my doctor increased it to 9. I was continuing to have an AHI of from 5 to 11. For 3 nights now, I have been using a Dreamstation Auto CPAP machine. My doctor had it set at 7 - 11. I had AHI of 6.34. Last night I increased the machine to 9 - 20. AHI was 3.35 (see attached). How can I tweak the settings to make this better? 

Why does the graph show a leak rate around 26.7?

I had one session of periodic breathing that was 5 min and 2 seconds. What is this? Can I do something to the settings that will stop this from happening?

Advice would be appreciated. Thank you! 

   

[eseedhouse]

I would leave things as they are for awhile and see if you continue to get the <5 AHI readings. An AHI of 3.4 is considered successfully treated. You may be able to do better if you take charge of your own therapy but I'd still advise leaving things alone until you can see if you are staying under 5 or if that was a "one off".

[Crimson Nape]

littlefatcat,
Your data doesn't look too bad.  Knowing that P-R machines are slower to respond to hypopneas, I'd bump up the minimum pressure to 12cm. I would lower the maximum pressure to 15cm.  The narrowing of the pressure band will aid the algorithm in obtaining optimum pressure.  The CA's could be either pressure induced or a CO2 washout from the A-Flex set to 2 (I'm guessing here).  I'd leave it unless the CA's continue.  If they do, try setting the A-Flex to 0/Off and see if the CA's are reduced.  

I hope this may help.

[littlefatcat]

Thank you for your suggestions! 

[trish6hundred]

Hi littlefatcat,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck to you with CPAP therapy and getting it dialed in to better meet your needs.
You’ve come to the right place for help, hang in there for more responses to your post.

[littlefatcat]

littlefatcat,
Your data doesn't look too bad.  Knowing that P-R machines are slower to respond to hypopneas, I'd bump up the minimum pressure to 12cm. I would lower the maximum pressure to 15cm.  The narrowing of the pressure band will aid the algorithm in obtaining optimum pressure.  The CA's could be either pressure induced or a CO2 washout from the A-Flex set to 2 (I'm guessing here).  I'd leave it unless the CA's continue.  If they do, try setting the A-Flex to 0/Off and see if the CA's are reduced.  

I hope this may help.

I changed the settings to 12cm - 15cm last night. On the pressure graph the red line is right up against the 15 for part of the night. Guess that means that I should increase the high? Also still 14 CA's in event flags. (I can't add another image til I make post 4 times.) Did not change A-Flex.

[OpalRose]

Turn the Flex feature off for a couple nights. I wouldn't change pressure again until you see if that makes a difference in CA's.

[littlefatcat]

Thanks, Opal Rose!

[ajack]

I would increase the pressure, You could reduce the flex, if you are comfortable with the feeling of harder exhale and for most, it will reduce the CA. If I was starting over, I wouldn't be concerned with 14 events overnight. It was just my body getting use to cpap. I seldom see a CA now.

[Crimson Nape]

I agree with OpalRose.  Turn off the Flex, don't change the pressure, and allow your body to get accustomed to all the changes.  I would wait a week to see what happens.  

On another note; You have reached the 4 post minimum to post links.  If you haven't, read the documents listed below,  particularly the Organizing your charts and how to use imgur.