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Just Diagnosed with Central Apnea

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problembreathing +0 points · over 4 years ago Original Poster

I had been having troubled breathing/sleeping problems for some time and recently had a sleep study done. My AHI was 87 and the diagnosis was central sleep apnea. They tried CPAP during the study and it was ineffective. Now they want to try other devices but I don't have confidence in my provider. Anyway, I am an otherwise healthy 47 year old man but I'm not sure where to turn. Does anybody have any experience with this? Are there any experts to consult?

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Sierra +0 points · over 4 years ago Sleep Patron

I am not a medical professional, but I do suffer from central apnea. A CAP is good at reducing obstructive apnea with pressure to open the airway. The problem is that the higher can make the central apnea. If you have a mix of OA an CA the trick is to use just enough pressure to control the OA without aggravating the CA. However if that cannot be done, the next approach is to use an ASV machine which can assist the breathing on a breath by breath basis. They are in the 4 to 5 thousand dollar range.

It would not hurt however to see a cardiologist or cardiovascular vascular specialist to see if there is an underlying cause. Some drugs and especially opiods can aggravate central apnea.

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falcon03 +0 points · over 4 years ago

Dear Sierra I have been having trouble with my pillow mask lately with the pressure setting. See I can't breathe with it on I have it set at about I think was at 8.0 and still to much. I don't want to set it to low other wise I'll have some episodes.

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Sierra +0 points · over 4 years ago Sleep Patron

It can take some time to get used to the pressure.

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falcon03 +0 points · over 4 years ago

Since I am turning 50 my lungs aren't as they were. i have had the machine for about a year. It was ok for so long last night but it got a bit too overwhelming had to take it off. Should I lower a bit more

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Sierra +0 points · over 4 years ago Sleep Patron

You really need to have someone look at your detailed data before just making a pressure change. Are you using EPR or FLEX? If so what are they set at?

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falcon03 +0 points · over 4 years ago

That I don't know is that a type of a sleep machine??

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Sierra +0 points · over 4 years ago Sleep Patron

EPR is a pressure reduction on exhale on a ResMed machine. FLEX is similar on a Dreamstation.

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