Sudden AHI jump

[woodepgh]

For the past year, I've been using an Airsense 11 with AirFit P30i with large nasal pillows, 5-7 pressure range and have consistently had AHI of 2 or less, with a few outliers every few months.  Last week I had cataract surgery, so I chose to stop using the CPAP for a few days.  I restarted with a new pillow, and freshly cleaned components, and the first night the AHI had jumped to over 10.  The next night, I increased the pressure range to 5-8, and the AHI decreased to about 8, but the amount of leakage increased substantially.  The third night, I reset the range to 5-7, and checked the progress in the middle of the night, and it was again tracking to over 10.  So, I swapped out the hose, mask, and nasal pillow, and the rest of the night there were only a few events, about an AHI of less than 2.  In the morning, I checked the replaced components for defects and found none.  No holes or breaks in any seals, and from what I can tell, they were all in good shape.  Obviously, one of the components (hose, mask, or pillow) was causing the problem, but they all looked fine.  Any ideas what could cause a rise in AHI, other than a very large leak (which doesn't appear to be the case?

[Sleeprider]

Post a chart. The most likely thing is you have clusters of obstructive apnea and this issue is positional. Just a guess without the chart.

[woodepgh]

Post a chart. The most likely thing is you have clusters of obstructive apnea and this issue is positional. Just a guess without the chart.

Thanks for the response, but it is not positional.  Event increases were across the board throughout the night for three nights.  I've been on CPAP long enough to know my body's response to sleep position, and this is not the answer.  The fact that equipment change (hose, mask, pillows) resolved the problem is a good indication that it was an equipment issue, and not my body position during sleep, which is consistent for me from night to night.  What I am trying to discover is what sort of equipment issue could cause an increase in AHI. The only "new" piece of equipment prior to the AHI increase was a brand new pillow.  The hose and mask have been used for months, and are cleaned regularly. I guessed that maybe one of the components had developed a leak that was preventing a therapeutic pressure from getting to my nostrils, but I tested for leaks and found none.  Perhaps the side tubes of the P30i mask are weakened and not allowing air to pass from the hose on top of my head?  I don't know.  Just asking whether anyone has seen this sort of equipment-related issue before.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

Posting a before and after OSCAR chart would help SleepRider and others review things and offer better advice.

Short of that, any number of things can affect AHI. It could have simply been time to replace the pillows or headgear. Or simply the fact that you went a few days without CPAP your body needed to get used to things again.