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+--- Thread: Ongoing issues with central apneas - seeking help with data analysis (/Thread-Ongoing-issues-with-central-apneas-seeking-help-with-data-analysis)
Ongoing issues with central apneas - seeking help with data analysis - Tropicalhammock777 - 09-12-2023
Hello everyone,
I am new to the board and super grateful for all the great information that is available. I am trying to educate myself more about my condition with the aim of being my own advocate as I navigate the medical and insurance process. I was put on a CPAP about 6 months ago, and was still having about 16 apnea events per hour, including central apneas. I have a really tough time getting used to the mask and was told that once I get a machine that's right for my condition it will be easier. After another sleep study I was put on a Bipap. After each use I was having about 30 events, and most were central apneas. Now the pulmonologist is arranging me to have a third study for an ASV machine.
I did an experiment and found that when wearing the mask while awake I was still reporting central apneas. I informed the doctor of this but he didn't seem like this was very noteworthy. Has anyone had an experience similar to this? Any ideas why I'm getting an increase in central apneas, and even getting them while awake? When first diagnosed I thought this issue could be easily resolved, but as things go in a worse direction I'm getting more and more concerned. I haven't had a decent sleep for a long time, and it's really wearing me down. Below please find my oscar screen shot. Thanks in advance for your help!
RE: Ongoing issues with central apneas - seeking help with data analysis - OpalRose - 09-13-2023
What you are going through, you can blame it on insurance. It's normal that insurance first wants you to try and "fail" Cpap/Apap, (which you've done).
Next, they will want you to try and "fail" Bipap. So once you "fail" Bipap therapy, they will try ASV.
Cpap, Bipap cannot treat central sleep apnea. An ASV would be appropriate for your condition.
Now with all that said, and while you're waiting for your third study for ASV, you could try changing the Trigger setting on the VAuto to High or Very High to see if that helps.
As far as CA's while awake, just ignore it. Awake breathing can be very irregular and you may actually be holding your breath causing some CA's to be flagged.
RE: Ongoing issues with central apneas - seeking help with data analysis - Tropicalhammock777 - 09-13-2023
Thank you OpalRose for your explanation and suggestion! I will give that setting a try.