AHI Score Does Not Go Down on CPAP

[zimlich]

Well done. Congratulations. Good thinking zonk.

[RWRPSGT]

I am wondering why they gave you an AutoSet without a pressure range?

It looks like the problem is that you are not getting enough pressure and probably need more. In order to fail CPAP during a titration, usually a pressure of 14 is reached (18 in the lab i used to work in) with no change in events.

I currently use an AutoSet S9 and I have my pressure set at 16.0 - 20.0. I have consistantly had a 0.5 to 2.5 AHI on this pressure. My AHI without PAP is about 43 events/hr. However, it may be far greater after 13 years.

Also remember that the algorithm used for AHI in PAP machines is not as accurate as the in-lab AHI because the PAP machines report from the time the machine was turned on and not from when the user falls asleep. That being said, you are probably a bit lower in actual events than what is being reported.

Hope that helps somewhat. I think your pressure is just way too low.

[Theo]

RWRPSGT, the 8/12 numbers are working fairly well. Most nights I score less than 3; some nights around 12. Oddly, I find it I take an analgesic like Advil at bedtime, my scores are usually better. I tried higher pressure numbers, but 15 is about all I can tolerate and I did not see much change in the scores. Thanks for writing.