Despite seeing significant improvement from my untreated state, and adapting to using the machine and mask, my AHI has remained stubbornly above 5, usually ranging between 8 and 11.  I did feel somewhat better, my breathing while awake improved, my appetite was much smaller, the snoring was gone.  But not that life-changing moment some have.

As a result, my pressure was adjusted upward yesterday 0.4 cm.  (I didn't know my machine could be adjusted in 0.2 increments, that's a good thing.)

All I can say is WOW.  Woke up this morning feeling rested, no overall body pain, and no "hitting the wall" on energy level yet at 8:30 pm.  My AHI was still 8, strangely, but I had 0.00 leaks and I've finally found a good humidity level for the "forced air heating season".

Got my fingers crossed for tonight.  


_________________
Marie
Newbie with Severe OSA
ResMed S8 Elite II CPAP with EPR and H4i humidifier
ResMed Mirage Quattro full face mask
Contec CMS 50-E Pulse Oximeter

I hope this wasn't just "first night effect" and that the 0.4 cms pressure change is THE "sweet spot" for you!!! Good luck!


_________________
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.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

CrohnieToo wrote:

I hope this wasn't just "first night effect" and that the 0.4 cms pressure change is THE "sweet spot" for you!!! Good luck!

It will amaze me if 0.4 cm h20 makes THAT big of a difference, but I hope for the OPs sake that it is true.

I also didnt know that the machines increased pressures at those intervals... Shows how much that I know.

RAM, there is an interesting article in the Interesting Links forum here, the article is from Sleep Review magazine comparing the algorhythms of the various APAPs. All 5 leading manufacturers's APAPs are represented. Check it out.


_________________
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.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

RAM_Sleep wrote:

It will amaze me if 0.4 cm h20 makes THAT big of a difference, but I hope for the OPs sake that it is true.

I also didnt know that the machines increased pressures at those intervals... Shows how much that I know.

Well, it surprised me, too, but night two at 13.4 wasn't quite as impressive.  I did, however, have an AHI at 7 (second best so far) and AI under 1 for the first time (and way under).  There were some non-OSA things affecting my sleep, so maybe night 3 will be better.


_________________
Marie
Newbie with Severe OSA
ResMed S8 Elite II CPAP with EPR and H4i humidifier
ResMed Mirage Quattro full face mask
Contec CMS 50-E Pulse Oximeter

Has anybody else on this board had their pressure increased in .2 cm h20 increments?

This small of a pressure seems almost worthless considering the numbers that float around. For instance, patients are started with 5 cm h20 which is 25 times the strength of your .2 adjustment.

Also, hypopneas are eliminated by increasing pressure by 1 cm h20 increments whereas apneas are elinimated by bumping 2 cm h20.

I am really shocked that your DME would even consider messing with such a small increment...

Anyway, I do hope that it gets your AHI to "normal" range. Maybe a whole step would have done so?

Never heard of ZERO leaks, does your mask have an exhaust port?


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~ElleMarie~ One day at a time......are you kidding me?.....sometimes it's just one minute at a time.

Jun 2007 AHI 100.7 started cpap at 9** Oct 2007-11** April 2009 Bipap-15/10
Respironics auto M w/ Optilife nasal pillows

ElleMarie wrote:

Never heard of ZERO leaks, does your mask have an exhaust port?

I get 0.00 leaks fairly often. I assume that with the cpap set to the correct configuration for the mask that I am using the numbers reflect a compensation for the expected leak through the exhaust.