increase in AHI

[Gio0064]

Ive been struggling with CPAP for 13 months, i was able to get my average AHI below 5 after struggling for 12 months by turning off the flex feature, thanks to reading this board. My AHI has started to go back up over 5 the last week or so and im having more issues waking up during the night. Turning off the flex helped me sleep without waking for 5 hours per night which dramatically helped how i feel. I received a new mask the other day (same one, phillips dreamwear nasal pillows) and my numbers have gone back up to above 5, but more importantly. im being aroused throughout the night.

Im set at 6.5-15, no flex, heated humidified tube, phillips dreamstation auto CPAP, no ramp being used. I do have sleepyhead data, but not really good at reading it, especially flow rates etc.

Any feedback would be appreciated

[OpalRose]

Hi Gio0064,
Welcome to Apnea Board!
It's pretty hard to advise without seeing some data. Since you have been using #SleepyHead,
could you post a screenshot.

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...ganization
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...pnea_Board

[Gio0064]

i have to have 4 posts first

[Gio0064]

i have to have 4 posts first

then i can upload a photo

[OpalRose]

Until you get a couple posts under your belt, look over your SleepyHead stats, and give us some basic information.
From your post, it sounds like your mask may be leaking. What does SleepyHead tell you about your leak rate? An ill fitting mask can cause restless sleep.

What is the breakdown of your AHI? Do you experience Clear Airways, hypopneas, obstructives?

What is your 90/95% pressure reading?

[Gio0064]

this should be the 4th post

---

this is what i had last night, i cant seem to find the flow limit graph, i am a newbee

---

this is what i have

[Gio0064]

sorry OpalRose this may be better

still cant find flow limit graph

[robysue]

Gio0064,

Your DreamStation records Flow limitations as tick marks in the Event table. It does not record a flow limit graph.

It looks to me like you need to set the min pressure setting a bit higher because of the hypopnea clusters. I wouldn't do more than a 1cm increase at a time, but I do think you might want to try bumping up the min pressure from 6.5 to 7.5 if that doesn't make you extremely uncomfortable. If a 1cm change makes you uncomfortable, first try bumping the min pressure from 6.5 to 7. Leave the machine at the new setting for at least 3 or 4 days before deciding to make further tweaks.

[OpalRose]

Hi Gio0064,
I see the same thing as robysue. Raising the minimum pressure a bit should help tame those hypopneas. Try bumping up to 7cm.

Your leak rate looks good. Are you comfortable with your mask?

I'm not sure why you are being aroused during the night, but a lot of us go through that. Hopefully that will change for you.

You did a great job in posting your data.

[Gio0064]

Hi OpalRose.

Thank you for your reply. I am comfortable with the mask, fall asleep no problem, just go thru wake ups almost same time every night, 1:30, 3:30, 4:30....one thing that does happen to me is I focus on listening to myself breathe which throws off my normal breathing. I was getting ahi in the 2-3 range for awhile after turning off the flex, but that seems to have gone away.....it's very frustrating as I can't get my number in the 1's and the 2 doctors I have visited never contact me back after I leave, so I feel like I'm on my own

Thanks again