jaypeecee

Hi Sierra,

You asked about my AHI. It varies considerably. For example, on 1 October (last month), AHI was 1.8 and, the next day (2 October), it was 14.1. My mask fit figures were 100% and 98%, respectively. Furthermore, for each of these days, total obstructive apneas was 4 and 62, respectively. That would indicate to me that something isn't right. My AHI is showing anything from 'Normal Sleep' to almost 'Moderate Sleep Apnea'. All data taken from Philips DreamMapper.

I would value your comments.

JPC

Many thanks for your reply. It is greatly appreciated. I do have OSCAR installed on my PC but haven't used it yet. I will try to find out if my oximeter is supported by OSCAR.

How I envy you guys in the USA! I wish I had access to a sleep doctor. Please tell me more.

Hi Folks,

I ought to mention up-front that I'm in the UK and I get the impression that Sleep Apn(o)ea is better handled in the USA. Here in Old Blighty, I'm in need of additional help to that which is provided by the NHS.

I was diagnosed as having severe OSA just over a year ago. During that time, I have been using a Philips Respironics DreamStation. I also have an Amara View full-face mask. I use this gear every night. The User data from this machine is confusing. I have been using a Viatom VisualOxy wrist-worn pulse oximeter (whilst asleep) for a couple of months and I get a lot of oxygen desaturations. My ODI on 24 Oct, for example, was 5.7 and the lowest SpO2 was 80%. Average HR was 55 bpm. To test the oximeter, my wife tried it overnight a couple of days ago. Her ODI was a mere 0.3. She does not have sleep apn(o)ea.

For as long as I can remember (I'm now 66), I have had anxiety issues. For many years, it has been severe at times. I have an anxiety disorder diagnosis. I'm very concerned about the impact that my sleep is having on the anxiety. I should perhaps add that I stopped drinking alcohol almost exactly three years ago to the day. I was also diagnosed as having Types 2 diabetes about six weeks ago but I am getting that well under control with a low carbohydrate diet and frequent finger-prick blood glucose monitoring.

Would anyone care to comment?

Thanks in advance.

jaypeecee

Hi Folks,

Thank you everyone! Lots of useful feedback.

In response to questions/comments raised:

[1] AHI=67, ODI=78 at my initial sleep study

[2] I try to sleep on my side but it's early days to say if the upright posture is helping this.

[3] I haven't yet plucked up courage to use the machine because of my fear of the supplied mask! I will investigate the likes of the Swift FX Bella.

[4] I do not know what pressures the DreamStation is set at. How do I find out?

[5] Is there an easy way to find out if SleepyHead can import data from the DreamStation?

[6] So the jury is out regarding SpO2 measurement. From what I can work out, the DreamStation does not actually measure SpO2 but requires a separate finger probe to be connected.

JPC

Hi Folks,

About a month ago, I was diagnosed as having severe OSA. Then, courtesy of the UK NHS, I was supplied with a Philips DreamStation and Philips Amara full-face mask. I have worn the mask only once and got into a panic struggling to get it off my face. I have had severe anxiety for many years so wearing the mask poses quite a challenge.

I wasn't expecting to be prescribed a CPAP machine right from the outset of my treatment. Quite a shock! So, I'm experimenting with my sleeping position. For the last week, I have been sleeping in a near-upright position in bed and my very crude Polar A300 activity tracker indicates that I have been more at rest than previously. I am seriously thinking of getting a sleep SpO2 monitor to get some quantitative data on this parameter. The model that I'm considering also uses vibration feeback when SpO2 falls below a set value. SpO2 data is recorded for later analysis. This may help me in the quest to find my optimum sleeping position.

That's where I'm at.

JPC

Hi Folks,

Just signed up to MyApnea and put a bit of basic info in my profile. I read somewhere on this site that it is geared towards US citizens but I'm in the UK. Is that OK? If so, I look forward to being here.

JPC