Newbie with a few questions

[sandd1]

I was diagnosed 2 months ago at age 51 and have about 3 weeks on my Dreamstation. My AHI at my sleep test was 44. While using my CPAP  my AHI is around 3 with my lowest - 1.3.  I have seen lots of other user's images from the Sleepyhead software but I am not that advanced yet.  
Numbers I've seen
AHI     CA     OA    Hypo
2.9      0       15      5
4.2      3        1      27
2.6      0        1      19
3.3      0        5      16
2.5      1        0      18

I am seeing the combinations jumping all over the place. Is there a desired result besides an AHI below 5?  Such as low CA, lower OA and hypos don't really matter? Or does none of it matter as long as AHI is below 5?

Thanks

[Gideon]

The best advice comes when you post sleepyhead daily graphs along with your question.  

Which Dreamstation do you have? read the model from the bottom (empty the humidifier first)  Something like DSX500x11

That said, your number seem pretty good which makes the important question How do you feel?
From under 5 we work on tweaking the settings to get to your optimum settings include what you need for comfort.

Obviously we would all love to have all zeros across the board but that is not practical, in fact "dial ringing", chasing extremely low numbers, really does very little to nothing to improve your therapy.


Fred

[trish6hundred]

Hi sandd1,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck with CPAP therapy, hang in there for more answers to your questions.

[Sleeprider]

From the limited data you posted, it appears that most of your events are OA and H. These are probably related, and due to your minimum pressure being too low. Since we can't really see your results, and assuming that your events are primarily obstructive, you should raise your minimum pressure by 1-cm and hold looking for a reduction in events (AHI). If we see events move in a positive direction, but with room for improvement, we may suggest additional pressure increases.

One of the pieces of data you can get from on-screen with your machine is the 7-day average and 90% pressure. If you can please look for those numbers, it might be possible to get you in the sweet spot a little faster. I would be looking to set your minimum pressure equal to your average pressure, or within 2-cm of your 90% pressure.

[sandd1]

Thanks for the welcome and the help.

Bonjour, I looked at the model number last night but forgot to take a picture of it. i believe it is the DSX500xxxxx, but cannot remember. I will look again tonight.
Sleeprider,I do not look at the machine numbers daily but upload data to the Dreammapper app. Last i remember the machine 7 day AHi was just over 3 and the 90% in the mid 8s. I will confirm this also.

From what I can tell, most of my events are H. OA and CA are usually close to one another with the exception of the 0 15 5 I posted above. Those were just a few I picked fro the past 3 weeks. I looked a Sleepyhead for a bit last night and it seems that the 2-3 days I looked at, most of my Hs were as I was falling asleep or just before waking.

I feel better and think my BP is dropping a bit. unfortunately, I am adding a bit of weight and will have to work on that. My wife says i am not snoring (and I was loud) anymore so that alone is worth it.

[Sleeprider]

Based on your events and summary above, I don't see any reason not to increase minimum pressure to 7 or 7.5. I think this will reduce OA and H events, and could help stabilize your sleep resulting in fewer CA. Give it a try and if it feels better, stick with it.

[sandd1]

Posting this mostly to increase my post count so I can post sleepyhead data.
7 day average pressure is 8.5
7 day AHI is 2.5
Model number is DSX500T11C

I will talk with DME about raising minimum. I am a bit nervous about changing things because of a few incidents I've had including possible Aerophagia and 2 nights waking up feeling like I was gasping for air(these may be instances of me mouthbreathing while on nasal mask)

[Gideon]

I will talk with DME about raising minimum. I am a bit nervous about changing things because of a few incidents I've had including possible Aerophagia and 2 nights waking up feeling like I was gasping for air(these may be instances of me mouthbreathing while on nasal mask)

Gasping for air, especially in new users, is frequently caused by too low of a pressure.  Aerophagia is often aggravated by higher pressures.  Keep in mind that you can always change the setting back.  I would suggest changing as SleepRider suggested with this knowledge.

You can post now, just post the link as text and add a space (htt p://imgur.com.zzzzzz.png)  we will figure it out.

Fred

[Sleeprider]

with a minimum pressure of 6 and average of 8.5, and 2.5 residual AHI, I don't need a chart to tell you your pressure is too low on a Philips Auto. Suggest you move to minimum of 8.0.

[sandd1]

Okay let's try this
[img]htt p://imgur.com/a/8DlVp [/img]