Connect
Can a CPAP machine treat central apneas?
I was diagnosed with moderate to severe apnea 8 years ago. Twice I tried to adjust to the CPAP machine, twice I gave up after a few weeks. Then last year I decided to try it again - this time the machine was much quieter and I had a more comfortable mask, and after a few weeks of struggling I was waking up in the morning more rested and alert than I had for many years. Eureka!
But after a few months of this, my AHI shot up from 4 to anything between 6 and 12, and my sleep quality really deteriorated. This has been going on for about 3 months. (My GP thinks it may be because the Corona business disrupted my life, and that as things go back to normal so may my sleep.)
Turns out the CPAP is doing wonders with the obstructive apneas - they are close to zero - but I now have central apneas.
Today I went back to the sleep doctor to ask about other treatments. Without explaining why, he said that he treats central apneas that come after CPAP treatment the same way as obstructive apneas, took me in to the technician and told her to work with me, to raise the pressure. And to come back to him if it doesn't help.
Has anyone had experience with, or know anything about, cases where the CPAP machine resolved central apneas?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sleep Health Support Group.
Connect
My cpap is set at 4, the lowest it will go. My neurologist has a doctorate in sleep study and the more meds you take that affect your central nervous system, the more likely you are to have central sleep apnea episodes. I originally did the sleep study to see if it could detect where these internal vibrations are coming from. I've even worn a heart monitor for 2 weeks and had 2 episodes but it picked up nothing.
Medicare is paying for my cpap. After 13 months, I'll own it. I'm just waiting for May 31 when my 3 months of 4 hours minimum required to wear it will be up.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionCarol, at my other forum where we deal with all things CPAP, and often undoing damage that 'experts' have done, we routinely counsel people to consider adjusting their minimum pressure up into the 6-7 range. A low limit of 4 leaves you no room for the EPR setting of 1, 2, or 3 for a conventional (non ASV) delivery. I couldn't begin to tell you how many newbies come to our forum, desperate for help because their RT or sleep doctor has begun to shrug their shoulders and say to keep trying. Trying what?!?!? The same wrong therapy?!? The same therapy that I'm still complaining about after all these weeks and months?!? We find that their experts have set a lower limit of 4 for expiration pressure, pressure relief in the 2-3 range, which causes CSAs, and an upper limit that blows their mask off their faces near zero dark thirty in the morning. That's not therapy, that's hell. When still alive. The ResMed machines have the best algorithm in the business, and their machines, the Autoset Air Curve and similar machines, are self-titrating and will soon tell the patient what range he/she needs. But we find that the lowest setting is never below about 5.5-6, and most of us like 6-7.
BTW, in my case, in Canada, it's only one month of the same requirement for 'compliance', as the industry calls it. A minimum of four hours for 21 days of the trail month of 30 days. I do hope you have no trouble doing it for the peace of mind you'll get.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have very mild sleep apnea. I don't even sleep with the cpap on. I use it for 4 hours BEFORE I go to sleep. I know it is successful because I sleep between 5-7 hours, which is normal for me anyway, but I am dreaming a lot more than before. You have to be in REM sleep to dream and people with sleep apnea wake too often to get to the REM sleep. I am in Florida and I trust my neurologist. Like I said, he has a doctorate in sleep study as well as all he needs to know about the neurological system of one's body. I will continue to do as he says because it's working for me. I have just the nasal cpap, not the full face one. We did this to see if we could find out where the internal vibrations are coming from. I mean no offense by this but I think I trust someone who actually specializes in the field rather than someone who does not. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another. I don't think someone without the medical knowledge should be giving specific medical advice to people. Having a forum doesn't mean you are qualified to give the advice. As I said, no offense at all, that's just how I feel. My machine is the ResMed and its the newer machine. I'm not complaining about my therapy because it's working for me. It's only when we talk about internal vibrations I bring up the cpap because it helps with those. Don't ask me how but that is something I intend to talk to the doctor about next month. My doctor also doesn't shrug his shoulders and say keep trying. He is very good at his job. 🙂
Your sleep specialist should put you on a c-paper
That should say C-Pap. St
They are sending me to Cornell in NYC for further evaluation
He has been treating sleep apnea for 30 yrs
I have been on a cpap for complex sleep apnea for 18 months. I have always had sleep problems, waking every 2 hours and this has been worse on cpap so I stopped
Cpap and it has helped sleep issue. I am also on sleep medication. Wondering what's now? Has anyone tried the surgical implant? I see my cp in May so trying to get my questions in order.
For Obstructive Sleep Apnea I have been using an AutoPap for 24 years. My preference is not to use any ramping, but set the range for 8-16. Then when I sleep the machine will adjust accordingly to need. I’m 100% compliant and use my wonderful quiet, odorless old appliance for the complete sleep duration. Sweet dreams!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYou can try VCom with your CPAP machine to minimize leaks and pressure. It's a good device