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Anyone on here use a CPAP machine?

jsimms615

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I just started using a CPAP machine about three weeks ago due to sleep apnea. I have a Resmed Airsense 10 machine with a full face mask. The first 9 nights were pretty hard. I had a difficult time sleeping with a mask on my face. Now, it has gotten much better. I have noticed that my AHI numbers are sometimes relatively high (around 9 or so) and then other nights I am at a 2. I am wondering why it fluctuates so much. I generally wear my mask for at least 7 hours a night

Anyone else on here that use a CPAP machine?
 

8484838

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The fluctuating could be due to a couple of different reasons.

The first and most simple reason could be that your mask isn't sealed well when you fall asleep, or its been known that people (in their sleep) will remove their mask during the night if they feel subconsciously uncomfortable with it.

The second and more serious concern could be a problem with your central nervous system. Your medulla in the brain is what regulates respiration rate and is apart of the lower part of the brain stem. If your AHI is fluctuating that high without any other discernible cause, that could very well be the problem - while the CPAP would treat any obstructive problems, if your brain is not telling your body to breathe during the night, it won't breathe.

You should ask your doctor just to make sure.
 
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MoneyGuy

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I'm fortunate as I've used one for years and slept like a baby my first night. I never sleep without it, except for the time we went away for a few days and I forgot it at home. Stick with it as sleep apnea has huge health risks.

CPAPtalk.com is your best resource for great advice and information. There is a great forum there.
 
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jsimms615

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The fluctuating could be due to a couple of different reasons.

The first and most simple reason could be that your mask isn't sealed well when you fall asleep, or its been known that people (in their sleep) will remove their mask during the night if they feel subconsciously uncomfortable with it.

The second and more serious concern could be a problem with your central nervous system. Your medulla in the brain is what regulates respiration rate and is apart of the lower part of the brain stem. If your AHI is fluctuating that high without any other discernible cause, that could very well be the problem - while the CPAP would treat any obstructive problems, if your brain is not telling your body to breathe during the night, it won't breathe.

You should ask your doctor just to make sure.
I've only had two nights that I know of where I took the mask off (to go to the bathroom) and then forgot to put it back on. Otherwise it stays on. My sleep report I get every morning says the mask is a good fit.
I know compared to a lot of people my AHI is relatively low. There are some people who are up around 60 times per hour and mine start at 14.7 times per hour on my sleep study
 
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bhsmte

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I just started using a CPAP machine about three weeks ago due to sleep apnea. I have a Resmed Airsense 10 machine with a full face mask. The first 9 nights were pretty hard. I had a difficult time sleeping with a mask on my face. Now, it has gotten much better. I have noticed that my AHI numbers are sometimes relatively high (around 9 or so) and then other nights I am at a 2. I am wondering why it fluctuates so much. I generally wear my mask for at least 7 hours a night

Anyone else on here that use a CPAP machine?

Yep, first couple of weeks are rough, but it makes a huge positive difference in time.
 
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jsimms615

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Yep, first couple of weeks are rough, but it makes a huge positive difference in time.
Yes, I have been noticing more energy throughout the day. I even signed up last week to run a 5k
 
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Stellar Vision

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I have noticed that my AHI numbers are sometimes relatively high (around 9 or so) and then other nights I am at a 2. I am wondering why it fluctuates so much. I generally wear my mask for at least 7 hours a night

Anyone else on here that use a CPAP machine?
The machine can't accurately detect real hypopnoeas with just it's airflow sensor alone, so don't rely on those values. It takes a sleep lab with all the accompanied equipment to properly filter out the false positives.
 
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