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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on March 31, 2011 at 8:44am

Heather I don't know, but I have read that a ResMed machine overscores hypopneas, that you can just about halve their number of hypopneas.

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Permalink Reply by Heather Dent on March 31, 2011 at 11:44am

Hi Mary,

Hi Mary.......thanks for responding. I do have a Resmed machine --the S8 Elite II. Why I wonder about the hypopneas is that after my 1st overnight study (for diagnosis only), the sleep doc said I many "rather long periods during which the O2 level fell to 71, and he paused and pondered about this (muttering to himself "but this is a concern" and "shallow breathing"), as he continued to scan the polysomnograph on his computer monitor. It was as if this was the only concern he really had about the results (which could be valid, I don't know). He doesn't talk to the patient much. He prepared a prescription (CPAP pressure of 7) for staff to fax to a DME for "loaner equipment" (the usual practice in this province). My overnight titration (which was done using a bipap) took place a month later, after which he told me he was prescribing CPAP pressure 11.         

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Permalink Reply by Heather Dent on March 31, 2011 at 12:52pm

At end of May it will be one year since titration and having my own machine. I have continued a constant pattern of high number of hypopneas and very low number of apneas, every night. So it could be that the my Resmed machine overscores hypopneas as you have suggested based upon what you read. Whether my overall scores are low or higher, the hypopneas far outweigh the apneas. If my AHI is below 5, (e.g. AHI= 4.8, the HI= 4.8 and the AI = 0).  And if my AHI is higher than 5 (e.g. AHI= 7.6, the HI= 7.0 and AI=.6)  The same pattern is always maintained, without exception. The sleep doc was just happy to see that the overall scores on titration study were improved with CPAP and that my oxygen level was 90 - 95 for over 88% of the time (if I remember correctly).  I had a 6 month check-up in November, but he did not ask to see my scores, just asked me how I felt......was I feeling more rested? (which I am)  We did figure out (based on what I told him) that I have GERD and so he prescribed a motility drug to clear my stomach of contents before I retire retire at night. The drug doesn't seem to have affected my scores, other than a very slight increase in the number of overall readings under 5.  I suppose I should buy an overnight recording oximeter, perhaps just for reassurance that oxygen levels are within and acceptable range.  I don't need any more dead brain cells : -)   

Mary Z said:

Heather I don't know, but I have read that a ResMed machine overscores hypopneas, that you can just about halve their number of hypopneas.

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