Ancient Apnean wrote:

Well now, I didn't mean this thread to be about me. However, I am glad to see that there is a lot of good information coming from you for all to read.
As a matter of fact I do have that PMLD thingy:O). I guess I was diagnosed with it at that first sleep clinic I had years ago  I didn't know what it was called. No one said. :O) They perhaps didn't have letters for it then:O) THey just said my legs jumped while I slept.
 I was prescribed and take a lo dose Clonazepam every night, it seems to work.
I was very athletic in my sleep. :O)
It used to feel as if I was playing soccer all night. Before I  had CPAP I used to swim under water and it felt as if I would never reach the other side of the lake. I would wake up and even then feel as if I couldn't start breathing again. It was a pretty awful feeling.   This is why strongly I encourage its use to those who need it. Some discard it after a few weeks?
I still get the sore leg feeling occasionally in the morning dependent on what I do the day before. But have never had a recurrence of the breath holding thing in the time I have been on CPAP. I am sure it saved my life (for what that's worth :O)

I thank you all, John

The PLMD may be driving up your AHI. IF, and yes I knows its a big if, you are having a few arousals with your PLMD, then you may be getting somewhat false readings on your AHI. Im not convinced that these machines are not picking up phantom events, however with that said they are great to have and they contain a lot of great information. Its just a theory that your PLMD may be increasing your AHI when, in fact, your breathing is quite normal (with the added pressure).

Let me also say, that I think that the machines are picking up the majority of events. Im not trying to discredit them. You guys are sure benefiting from them and their data.

Thanks Rem you are very astute,
 I wonder if others is the field have associated the PLMD  (jumpy legs in the night)as a phantom cause of high AHI readings.
I started another thread asking if there was a problem with Respironics machines.
Respironics should have some one look at this forum, as a few  have had cause to have there machines replaced in the search for a good nights sleep. A couple ask about using other brands.
 Perhaps the readings shouldn't be there for the patient and we could trust the therapist???

 I just thought that there may be other "phantom' causes like your bed partner giving you a dig in the ribs to stop the noise :O):O)

My personal thirty day average has dropped to 6.5. The system must use algorithms? like a golf handicap. This could only mean that I had some nights at an AHI of 2 to compensate for the ones when I had 9 or 10  ???  
Pseudonym??? perhaps you have the answer?
 Thanks  John

Sorry, AncientApnean, I am not one who can place my complete trust in ANY medical professional. I WILL see for myself and I WILL use my own common sense. The "professional" can advise and inform me - but I'm the one to endure the benefits or the consequences - so its MY job to educate myself as best as I can and to ask the right questions so that I can make an INFORMED decision. My husband, on the other hand, is content to do as doctor says w/o question. And then b*tch about it if he doesn't like the results. Sheesh! I just couldn't. Its just NOT in me to be so .... accepting. If something goes wrong I do NOT want ANYONE but myself to blame.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
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CrohnieToo wrote:

Sorry, AncientApnean, I am not one who can place my complete trust in ANY medical professional. I WILL see for myself and I WILL use my own common sense. The "professional" can advise and inform me - but I'm the one to endure the benefits or the consequences - so its MY job to educate myself as best as I can and to ask the right questions so that I can make an INFORMED decision. My husband, on the other hand, is content to do as doctor says w/o question. And then b*tch about it if he doesn't like the results. Sheesh! I just couldn't. Its just NOT in me to be so .... accepting. If something goes wrong I do NOT want ANYONE but myself to blame.

I'll leave it at this last post because i'm not trying to start a huge debate, but at times your philosophy is going to be impossible to use. You are NOT always going to be able to use the number one physician in the world, the best surgeon, or even the best therapist.

What if you go in for surgery? Are you going to request to approve the surgeons work before they stitch you back up? Trust me, i know what you are saying, but I think at some point you have to trust your caregivers. With Cpap, you can get away with altering your own pressures, but some instances are going to leave you in the dark. How do you deal with that knowing that you want to be in control of your treatment 24 hours a day? It sounds like a tough task.

Ram, Please keep an eye and stay on this thread  as you contributed quite a bit, at least to me. I am sure you have to others too. I think Chrohnie too meant that we all have to look out for ourselves in this therapy. I trust doctors and therapists since they have taken the trouble to educate themselves and presumably know of what they speak. As you  said there are good and bad ones. You indicated that you were just starting in this field. I think you will be one of the good ones. I wouldn't encourage anyone to change their own prescribed pressure since it could do more harm than good.(I just did mine though but only went up a half a point I read the meter every day :O))  I am sleeping better and the AHI is still dropping (if the machine is reading OK :O)
Chrohnie, much like your husband, I will blame whoever I can if things don't work for me :O)

 Thanks John