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+--- Thread: Is there an adjustment period of the device? (/Thread-Is-there-an-adjustment-period-of-the-device)
Is there an adjustment period of the device? - jashuas - 03-13-2014
hello to everyone. I started using CPAP for 2 weeks.My AHI index was 87. I am using pressure based on sleep test results 9cm/h2o . but for now, I did not see much difference. I wake up in the morning still sleepless. I'm sleepy during the day sometimes. According to the reports of the device, my ahi index average 7,8 . AHI index is normal? Is there an adjustment period of the device?
RE: Is there an adjustment period of the device? - Tez62 - 03-13-2014
Jashuas, welcome, it normally takes around 3 months to really feel the effect, that is if your treatment or pressure are correct. First your AHI should be below 5 and yours sounds too high, that could be because your pressure is too low or you have too many leaks. Your pressure is very low for an AHI of 87, even though we are all different, my AHI prior to being diagnosed was 30 and my pressure is 15. When is your next appointment to get your data looked at? I would suggest someone look at it fairly soon, it is helping you but not getting the best treatment you could, good luck and let us know how you go.
RE: Is there an adjustment period of the device? - zonk - 03-13-2014
(03-13-2014, 04:03 AM)jashuas Wrote: According to the reports of the device, my ahi index average 7,8 . AHI index is normal? Is there an adjustment period of the device?Below 5 is normal, 7.8 is not far off, some of those events are scored while you,re awake which basically are meaningless
Yes there is an adjustment period but once you get it dial in and find your sweet spot, it become impossible to sleep or nap without PAP, it would make a huge difference to your health and well being. Be patient ... patience is a virtue
RE: Is there an adjustment period of the device? - herbm - 03-13-2014
jashuas,
Welcome.
Yes, there is a period before most people see improvement in how they FEEL.
For some it is fairly quick, others take almost a year. Most are somewhere in the middle.
First, you must get effective therapy and it sounds like you are still in the "apnea" range (> AHI 5).
This is much better than your diagnosed AHI, so you might see improvement even with that but it would probably take as long or LONGER than if you get effective treatment.
It sounds like you have a CPAP (or APAP set on a single pressure) so you machine can't adjust pressure.
At your next visit to the sleep doc, your pressure will likely be raised, and your AHI will improve again. This process MAY have to repeated a couple of times until you are getting fully effective treatment.
It's really a shame that people are getting single pressure CPAP treatment when automatic (APAP) machines are so readily available.
These machines can basically get the correct settings in a single night, rather than making the patient wait weeks between doctor visits to get a LITTLE closer to the correct pressure.
And some people will never have a single "best pressure" but always do better with a range.
Hang in there. Even if you don't feel the difference, your body is NOT getting harmed AS MUCH now.
RE: Is there an adjustment period of the device? - trish6hundred - 03-13-2014
Hi jashuas,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Yes CPAP can take some adjusting.
What you might try, to help your body get used to this new way of sleeping, is to mask up and use the machine during the evening as you read or watch tv.
Hang in there, don't give up and best of luck with your CPAP therapy.