Hi,

Last month my 6 year old daughter was diagnosed with moderate/severe OSA.  We started her on the CPAP about 2 weeks ago and I don't see any improvement.  Although she has only made it through a full night one time, she generally wears the CPAP from about 8:00 to 3:00.  I was hoping we'd be able to see some change by now but she actually seems worse.  I had high hopes for this treatment and am starting to get pretty discouraged.  

Some information that might be impacting the treatment are that she uses a minime mask which sometimes leak, I've caught her sleeping with her mouth open a couple of times, and the pressure setting on the machine is 6.  

I'd really appreciate any advice that I can get on this subject.  Thanks so much.

Hi blenah:
If you can get all of the results, including all the graphs, we can take a look, perhaps try to figure out how much improvement to expect.  Make sure you get the studies before and during CPAP.  Also any pertinent medications or other medical information, including surgery (T&A) or the reason it wasn't done.
sleepydave

Hi Sleepydave,

My daughter did get her tonsils and adnoids out in September of 2004.  It seemed as though her apnea was cured.  Her breathing appeared to be excellent since she was so quiet.  It took us over a year to realize that she still had apnea after going down all other types of roads trying to figure out why she was so tired all the time.  Finally she had an official sleep study in December of 2005 and we were shocked to find out she still had apnea.  The report I have is an abbreviated version which I do not fully understand.  It says that she has an RDI=14/hour, O2 to 87%, and ETCO2 peak 47mmHg.  She has not yet gone for her followup sleep study.  I was thinking it would be best to wait until she is sleeping through the night with the CPAP.  Maybe it's better to have the test done now.  What do you think?

Thanks!

Hi Blenah:
I'd vote on getting her fairly used to the CPAP first, at least a little bit more time, it could result in a better study.
Try to get the complete reports if you can, there may be some very helpful info in there.
Let me be clear here tho- did she have a sleep study with CPAP, or if not, how'd you get the CPAP and what pressure is she set at?
sleepydave

Hi Sleepydave,

I will try to get the full reports.  As far as the study she had, it was done prior to the CPAP.  The doctor ordered the machine and mask for us and it was delivered by a medical service company.  We've been in touch with them a couple of different times trying to get the mask adjusted properly.  It's okay but tends to leak when she moves around.

The pressure is currently set at 6.

Thanks again for your help!

Blenah

Hi Blenah:

Quote:

The pressure is currently set at 6.

Ha-ha!  What you should have said was:

Quote:

Look at the first post, you idiot!

But thank you for being gracious.

Anyway, yeah, without seeing a sleep study with the CPAP on, we really don't know if the CPAP is set right, or if there's another issue(s) underfoot, like medication effect.

Nonetheless, getting her acclimated to CPAP remains a good idea.

Not a real long time tho, cause if the machine is set too low, for instance, and events continue to occur, then that could be the cause of the sleep disruptions, and in that case, the sooner you get that fixed, the better shot you'll have at getting her through the night.

sleepydave