New to site and apnea

Hi,

I had a sleep study done July 30th and got my machine - a Respronics DreamStation. My AHI from the study was 27.6. I have used it for four nights now and I'm Still working on getting use to the treatment, mask and learning all I can to be successful with this. The sleep study was my cardiologist idea I was diagnosed with Afib last November so I am very motivated to do whatever I have to to keep my heart in normal sinus rhythm (NSR) including being successful with treating my apnea. So far my AHI scores have been 13, 14, 11 and 8.1 last night. Still haven't had a real good nights sleep yet though always waking up worried somethings not working or the mask is leaking etc. Hopefully it won't take much longer to start getting use to this and settle back into good sleep. Glad I found this site.

Good sleep to all. Roy

Study said you quit breathing for a bit 27.6 times an hour. This means you were cat napping (not falling into a deep sleep). Since this has been reduced, looks like your next step is to keep working on making the therapy more effective. There isn't much point in worrying about what you can't change... like the equipment stopping. I have been on therapy a bit less than a year and my machine (a ResMed) hasn't once quit. I never thought about it actually. the mask seal issue was a major deal to me initially. I learned to wash the mask with very mild hand soap, wash my face prior to sleep and to use mask pads. The mask pads were the biggest step. I am not an expert but every mask leaks a bit and it kept me from getting a good nights sleep. I wear a full face mask and the pressure is at the machine's max (25). Masks WILL leak a tiny bit and using mask pads... well they mask the tiny leaks and make them unnoticeable to me. My machine sends in info every night and I can track mask seal and mine stinks, quite frankly. It gives a scale of 20 points for perfect mask seal. I haven't gotten a single point in ages. My therapy has been pretty effective none the less, I was in the 16 AHI range and now am down to under 2 AHI generally. Since the mask leaks have become not noticeable with the mask pads and the therapy works, guess I don't care about leaks. I have found that I don't get up a zillion time during the night to hit the convenience. I suspect this was the case because I wasn't sleeping soundly, only cat napping and now never get up or even move to speak of during the night. After almost a year, I am sleeping soundly longer... before 4-5 hours max and then wide awake and now 6-7 hours which is more than adequate for me.

It will come, have patience and look to see how others have overcome various issues and that will allay your worries some I suspect.

Hi Roy, and welcome to MyApnea.Org! Wiredgeorge makes some good points about mask leak and patience. It sounds like you are moving in the right direction. Kudos to your cardiologist for recommending a sleep study and to you for following through! Adjusting to therapy takes some time, and it is normal to have some mask leak. All masks have a certain amount of leak that is considered "acceptable leak" and should not cause problems. However, if you experience large leaks that you think are cause for concern, I encourage you to talk to your equipment provider about checking mask fit. Patients sometimes use a couple of masks before they find the right mask, and a mask that fits comfortably and seals well is key. As for something not working right, your sleep physician and/or home care company is likely monitoring your machine remotely. If you have concerns, you might consider asking them to check the data that your machine is reporting to them. Otherwise, all the best as you continue to adjust to treatment and work toward a better night's sleep! Please keep us posted on your progress, and feel free to post any questions or experiences here on the Forum.

Well it's been two weeks now since I started therapy. My ahi score went from a low on day four of 8.1back to 12 yesterday and 11 today. I've never been the most patient person at times and I am committed to making this work so I am wondering is it normal or at least not something to be alarmed over for my ahi scores to raise over this last week given I'm still real early into therapy. My mask fit is averaging 99% it was 100% last night. I'm using it an average of nine hours a night but I'm not sleeping that well for the majority of the time. The medical supply company looked at my machine data and just said everything looks to be working. Then said maybe my raising ahi was due to mask leaks. At upper 95+% I doubt it's that but what do I know. Any thoughts any has is more than welcome.

Good dreams to all Roy

I have beenwit CPAP for 3 months and now I becames off balanced. I,m not dizzy. What can cause this

Balance is a function of the inner ear. There are small bones in there that control it and fluid around them. If your ear or ears get an infection or otherwise get inflamed internally, your balance will be affected. See your primary care doc and share you complaint and the doc can tell you if the case is because of the bones in your inner ear being affected somehow.

29 days and slowly getting better so just an update. As many have said finding a good mask is trial and error. I started with a Amara full view I liked the design but couldn't stop leaks. I'm now with the F&P Simplus and I'm much happier with it. Even with the new mask and leaks under control my AHI stayed in the upper 7's at least they were now from 11's better but not great. So since the overwhelming amount of mr Ahi was Hypopneas I raised my starting pressure from 5 to 7 two nights ago and last night had my best night ever an Ahi of 3.8 and a much better night of sleep. I find the increase in starting pressure much more enjoying. Anyway just sharing my progress hopefully it continues.

Roy

Roy, Perhaps your pressure wan't set optimally to begin with. These are set through a prescription and I would talk with the sleep doc and see if the doc sees the pressure as spot on. Sounds to me like it may not be. Talking to the med supply company is likely a waste of time under the scenario of inappropriate pressure settings. Don't be afraid to press the prescriber for tweeks. I can't imagine they get it spot on every time.

Hi Roy. Glad to hear you are persisting and sleeping better! I agree with wiredgeorge. Don't be afraid to contact your physician if you have concerns or questions. Best wishes for continued success!