How to reduce my events while using my Cpap

My problem is like a mystery on that tv show of the 70s, "Murder She Wrote." AHI rockets up to 20 or 30. No mask leak, new and so no water tank leak, no hose leak. It must be something with my ResMed AirSense 10, but I cannot find the solution. This seems to be uncommon.

I will be grateful for anyone's suggestion who might have experienced the same problem.

Thanks,
Mark

Hi @mark3240, Welcome to Connect. My AHI varies a little but normally between 1 and 4 events per hour. I have a ResMed AirMini with no tank and I use a full face mask with a cloth comfort cover so I do have air leaks. They don't make much difference for me. When my AHI is higher than normal I sometimes find it's because I have been sleeping on my back and I normally sleep on my sides.

ResMed has some information here that mentions Central Sleep Apnea may be the reason for high AHI numbers.
"Central or complex sleep apnea: A rising AHI could also be a sign that while CPAP is treating your obstructive apneas, your brain might not always be telling your body to breathe. This can cause central sleep apneas, “central” because your apneas are causes by a dysfunction in the central nervous system, not a physical obstruction. Most newer CPAP machines will report if you’re experiencing central apneas or you can’t identify what is causing your rising apnea-hypopnea index, talk to your doctor or equipment provider as soon as possible."
-- Why does my apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) change?:
https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apnea/sleep-blog/why-does-my-apnea-hypopnea-index-ahi-change/
Have you mentioned the high AHI numbers to your sleep medicine doctor or care team?

Thank you, John for taking your time to provide your helpful comments. My doctor has concluded that from a recent overnight lab sleep test, that my machine is not operating properly. Having had the machine for over 7 years, it is time to get a new one, likely the AirSense 11. Thanks again. Mark

I have tried this several times. I put on my mask stirred up my machine and read for an hour. During this time I do not sleep and my machine will register from 20 to 25 events.

Hi @sicko, Welcome to Connect. When I first started using a CPAP that was what they told me to do to get used to wearing the mask over my face. I didn't pay attention to any AHI numbers that occurred during that time. How long have you been using a CPAP machine?

I’ve been an on again off again subscriber to cpap therapy since 2015. Recently I discovered nasal pillows and have adhered to pulmonary medicine advice to use the cpap for the last two months without finding much of a grove. I find it hard to discern efficacy. My friend says I watch the numbers too closely. But I remain tired throughout my days and in light of this disheartening result I keep looking at the numbers to confirm that the effort is worth the struggle.

I have been getting over 16 events was low but now they have been rising for the past 13 days looked on youtube and turned it up by 1 and am going from their you have it pretty good wish mine was as good as yours.

Also been all over the place turned pressure up by 1 will see how that works. Sleep on side will have zero pressure leak but will still have events up to 17 but that is still an improvement for myself.

Hi @glenc, Welcome to Connect. My AHI took almost a year before the numbers started dropping to the below 4 number that my sleep medicine doctor set as my target. I had ups and downs during that period. I'm currently struggling with my AHI and it's been into the 5 area for the past week since I'm forced to sleep on my back after having hernia surgery. Hopefully it won't be long until I can get back to my normal sleeping patterns.

I also have some minor leaks from my full face mask but they don't affect my AHI numbers much. Have you discussed the CPAP settings with your sleep doctor?

Have talked to doctor he told me how to turn it up so turned up by 1 will see if it helps. Was having it way worse without it but my new machine had to be put on by me something is wrong with it cuts out or won't build pressure up then shuts off will have to wait up to 6 months for a new one. Good luck