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AHI question

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Marshastin +0 points · almost 6 years ago Original Poster

I am trying to learn about AHI. i know the lower the better. I have tried one mask that has, usually, much lower (below 5 avg) AHI and a second one AHI is twice as high (up to 12 one nite). i prefer the one with higher AHI but am assuming the one with lower AHI would be much better for me. Is the AHI created only by me or can it be affected by the mask fit? (the CPAP machine i have does not have mask fit option so i can't check it) Thanks for any help you can give me!

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SleepyMommy703 +0 points · almost 6 years ago Sleep Commentator

Successful treatment of sleep apnea is generally considered an AHI under 5 so at 12 AHIs that would not be considered effective treatment. Are you getting a good fit with the other mask, or have leaks showing up? You may be able to tweak things and get that mask to fit better, but I would not settle for an AHI of 12. That's my average during non REM sleep without CPAP and it effects me significantly.

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Marshastin +0 points · almost 6 years ago Original Poster

thanks for your reply...i feel encouraged to try again on the mask fit...the following is my reply to wiredgeorge on this site... the DME (which i don't have a lot of confidence in) told me to put this new mask on Mask Type on 1...i am using the under the nose gel pillow mask & the CPAP ramp is set on 4 to 12 automatic. (i do not know what setting the mask type was on when they had me on the full mask which was horrible for me). So far, in less than 2 months, i have spent $175 and my income is low and i can't keep putting money into this stuff when my ins. is supposed to be covering 100% of these expenses. i think i am close to everything fitting well, but i didn't even use the cpap last nite due to frustration. Thanks for your help, i will try to keep trying!

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wiredgeorge +0 points · almost 6 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

On most CPAP machine menus, there is a place where you must specify the mask type. If it isn't in the position that corresponds to your mask type, I suspect statistics will be skewed. I would also not be afraid to spend a few bucks trying different mask types till you hit gold... everyone is different in this regard so what works for one person will not necessarily work for you. Mask type also depends on pressure setting(s) as some masks are not compatible with real high pressure; in my case, I can't use a nasal mask or nasal cushions as my pressure is far too high.

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Marshastin +0 points · almost 6 years ago Original Poster

the DME (which i don't have a lot of confidence in) told me to put this new mask on Mask Type on 1...i am using the under the nose gel pillow mask & the CPAP ramp is set on 4 to 12 automatic. (i do not know what setting the mask type was on when they had me on the full mask which was horrible for me). So far, in less than 2 months, i have spent $175 and my income is low and i can't keep putting money into this stuff when my ins. is supposed to be covering 100% of these expenses. i think i am close to everything fitting well, but i didn't even use the cpap last nite due to frustration. Thanks for your help, i will try to keep trying!

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