Rising Respiration rate

I have pretty much had my apnea well under control the past month or two. I have a concern about my high respiration rate. It seems to be getting higher and I am afraid it could lead to something serious. I have had a heart attack in the late 1990's, a triple heart bypass in 2004 and have been dealing with A-Fib since 2012. I have my first sleep doctor's appointment next Wednesday since my sleep study in February, but expect very little out of him. All he can say is leave the pressures alone.

I see my cardiologist in December and she won't even return calls much less move my appointment up. My last stress test was just a few months ago and seemed to be ok according to her. If anyone can look at my screenshot and share their thoughts I would be grateful. Thank you.

Your respiration rate is a little higher than mine which is at about 19 median and 22 for 95%. I'm not sure of the significance of that. I'm 69 and have no known heart disease.

Your AHI is excellent. Perhaps if anything your pressures may be a little too high. Also reducing the maximum pressure from 20 which is the machine default may cut off some of those pressure spikes that the Dreamstation likes to make. I would ask your sleep specialist about running a minimum of 10.5 and a maximum of 12. It might provide for a more comfortable sleep if the pressure runs a little lower.

I also see that there is periodic breathing flagged at 21:55 or so. You may want to expand that out (keep left clicking in that area), and take a screen shot to show your cardiologist. It can be a symptom of heart issues. Your Statistics page should give you a running summary of how frequently periodic breathing is occurring which would be useful to report to the cardiologist as well.

That is about all I can think of. Looks like a pretty good sleep report overall.

Thank you for your response Sierra. Recently my Tidal Volume was extremely slow (260 to 320) and I went from a nasal and pillow to a F20 Airfit and my Tidal Volume increased between 380 to 440, and I was pleased with that but I believe my respiratory rate increased. Of course my concern is both a low respiratory rate and tidal volume can indicate congestive heart failure. I have been reading lately where the medical profession is overlooking taking respiration vital signs any longer. Seems we are paying more to get less from our medical professionals.

Thank you for your suggestions. If my doctor nixes a reset on the numbers, I'll simply set them myself. My numbers have been very good the past few months, but I can't say I feel much better. I know my average sleep duration is about 5 to 6 hours but I've lived on that many hours for most of my life.

Mike

Hi Big Mike, you do not need to adjust the max pressure on your machine, it is only going p to 13 anyway. There is spikes in the pressure, I don't know for sure, but could you be tucking your chin into your chest cutting off your air supply? A soft collar would stop this, maybe this is disturbing you and you are noticing your hart speeding up. It does appear to peak with some but not all. You are a bit high on breathing but your AHI is good though. If you are not using a collar, try one for all the cost. Get the ticker checked just in case it is having a problem, then stop worrying.

I wouldn't worry too much about your respiration rate. It's slightly above average but not excessive. Also, there's not a lot you can do about it in the short term anyway. You body will breathe how it needs to breathe in order to get the job done. It may simply be a result of your previous heart problems. I would not normally suggest this but, as you seem to be getting little help from your physicians, you could try to get a hold of an oximeter to use overnight. The only reason I mention it is that if your oxygen is above 90% and fairly stable you will know that you don't have much to worry about, which could provide peace of mind. If your oxygen levels are consistently below 90% then a word to your respiratory specialist could be in order.

Sleeptech, thank you for the help. I have been considering an oximeter. Is there any you may recommend as I have heard where they can slip off your finger when tossing and turning. It would also have to be compatible with Sleepyhead. As you said it will provide peace of mind, and that is all I want.

Mike

https://www.amazon.com/Contec-Wrist-worn-Oximeter-Software-Download/dp/B00LN4LCMC/ref=sr_1_101_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1539949800&sr=8-101&keywords=pulse+oximeter

The ones that just sit on the end of your finger will fall off. This is the one I use; won't come off and records the entire night's SPO2 & heart rate.

Thanks a lot wiredgeorge!

Keep in mind this gizmo was made in the people's republic and the instructions seem to be written by google translator. It does work through. If you buy one, sit still in your easy chair and record for a bit then take the watch part to your computer and practice downloading. If you wiggle, the numbers will be off and you have to be still. I have no issues with accuracy as I sleep. I am not much of a sleepyhead fan as all that information is overload. My AHI and leak rates are all I have needed to help me direct my own therapy. I also am a believer an staying with the original prescription a qualified doctor gave me. Granted, some folks find it isn't perfect and needs to be tweeked but a doctor should do this tweeking of the numbers. I know how to get it the clinician part of the menu but it isn't on the front panel for a reason. Good luck!

Again thanks again for the info. Quite honestly I thought everything was made in the Peoples Republic of China. If you are content with only needing AHI and leak rates, that is certainly your prerogative. Unfortunately half the sleep doctors and DME's believe that is all you need. This explains why 50% of people needing therapy drop out. Sticking with the prescription a doctor originally gives you? Due to a mix-up from an Ohio DME (lost my contact number) my employer's insurance ran out due to retirement. Since I relocated to another state to be close to my kids and grandkids I was required to take another sleep study. In less than 9 months my first sleep study called for a minimum pressure of 7 and my new study called for a minimum of 12. How many times have you read where a sleep doctor has DME's sending out the machines at the default setting of 4-20? Finally, most people go to forums because they can't get help from their doctors or clinicians. And if they could it would be at cost. People help on forums because they truly care and if forums are "information overload" I sat through 16 years of education and received much "information overload."

I did get my flu and pnuemonia shot 2 weeks ago. That also may have caused a respiration increase. As I said I will see my sleep doctor Tuesday and see if he will look at my graphs and share his thoughts. I will share them with this thread to keep you informed. Thanks again!

Last night I used my back-up Resmed P10 and as the screenshot shows my respiration rate came down, and my Tidal Volume dropped very low. It amazes me someones numbers can change so much due to an improper mask. This leads me to believe one needs to be content with ones mask before setting out to change anything. Make sense? I have had similar problems with a Wisp nasal mask so I am drawing the conclusion nasal masks are not for me.