Very low AHI....should I continue CPAP?
Over a year ago, I was hospitalized for 3 months after a motorcycle crash. During that time, my doctors said I had sleep apnea and needed CPAP. After discharge, I was officially tested and started CPAP. I've been using it a year now and my 365 day AHI is 0.8, with past 30 day AHI 0.5. I am wondering if I even really need CPAP?? I am new to all this and understand there is probably more to sleep apnea than my average AHI reading....but I was hoping for some more insight about this. I looked for other threads before posting and didn't see anything specific to my question. [Of course I wouldn't literally just stop using it without consulting professionals, but I'm just curious if I should check into that]
RE: Very low AHI....should I continue CPAP?
Welcome to the forum. A low AHI while using CPAP indicates that the therapy is preventing apnea events , not that apnea has been been cured. CPAP only treats apnea but it is not a cure. A sleep study would be required to determine if you still have apnea. Like you, my AHI is below 1 and frequently 0 but When I occasionally sleep during the day without CPAP my wife has observed the same disruptions to my breathing that prompted me to get s sleep study more than 10 years ago.
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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.
RE: Very low AHI....should I continue CPAP?
That’s good information. It certainly makes sense. Thank you!
