CPAP machine but still have apnea

[pcolbeck]

Hi

I have just completed my weeks NHS trial with a CPAP machine and a full face mask (I have an obstructed nose). I do feel somewhat better and the readouts from the machine told the nurse at the hospital that the mask was sealing well and that the machine was doing it's stuff. However the readouts also said that I was still having about 30 incidents an hour. I am being refered for more tests.
My wife says I still snore but not as loudly and that I still stop breathing but the recovery is not as violent or explosive as it was without the CPAP machine.
Has anyone had a similar experience ? I have just been reading about central apnea as the nurse mentioned it and that's quite scary.

[James @ Intus]

Yes, central apnoeas are a different kettle of fish. Do you have a history of cardio problems?

30 events an hour left is a lot. Do you know at which pressure that was?

[pcolbeck]

No never had any cardio issues or any other major illness.

[pcolbeck]

Just a thought could it simply be that the pressure was too low ?

[James @ Intus]

Yes, it seems that's the case. They'll probably crank it up for you and see how the stats improve. Which machine did you get? You may be able to get the statistics off it yourself.

[pcolbeck]

A ResMed S8 escape. I don't think it gives any stats bar usage hours. The one they lent me until today did have loads of stats available that they downloaded to a laptop. Its a pity they didnt let me keep that one for a while. I might try upping the pressure myself and see what happens.

[James @ Intus]

Do do that with them being aware as at this early stage, they're monitoring you so you don't want to mess up their stats.

[pcolbeck]

I dont think they can get any stats from S8 Escape, it doesn't collect them so far as I can see. I had to give the big monitoring type CPAP machine back today when they gave me the S8. They review the data the consultant reviews the data from they got from the monitoring machine I had for a week on Thursday so I think I will ring on Friday to see if they think upping the pressure would be a good idea.

[pcolbeck]

Well I cant talk to teh sleep clinic until Monday (they only take calls on a Monday !) so I am going to give it a go upping my pressure. Last night I tried not using the machine and I felt crummy this morning so it's definitely helping some.
I have had a poke and its set to 11cm so I am going to give 13 a try. If that works I will go down to 12 and test again then 11.5 or 12.5 depending on the results. Cant do any harm.

[James @ Intus]

It would be good to try and get some form of measurement like recording sound or video to see/hear whether apnoea events persist as oppose to just measuring success by how you feel.

[pcolbeck]

It would be good to try and get some form of measurement like recording sound or video to see/hear whether apnoea events persist as oppose to just measuring success by how you feel.

Oh I have a measuring tool, she's called my wife She is a light sleeper and my apnea wakes her up either through the snoring or the bed shaking when gasping for air. Also she goes to the loo several times in the night and then takes a while to sleep again so she can tell if its working or not.

[pcolbeck]

Well 13 cm was very different to 11 cm ! The CPAP machine was quite noisy at that setting and I could feel the difference in pressure. It gave me a dry mouth and 11 didn't seem to (I use a full face mask as I am a mouth breather).
The good news is my wife didn't hear me snoring or recall any apnea incidents happening ! So tonight I will try 12 cm.

[pcolbeck]

Well I went back down to 11.6 (nearest it goes to 11.5) for the last two night and my wife says I am snoring a bit and I feel rough. So I am going to work my way up in approx .5cm steps till I find a good setting.