"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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CPAP Question
Hello,
I am actually asking a question concerning my wife. She was clinically diagnosed with SA and CPAP was prescribed. She went through the testing to get her fitted for the appropriate mask/pillow and has been using it for a few months now. However, she has had to return for another test because she was still emitting a lot of hissing from the machine and was not getting the rest that she should.
Adjustments were made and there seems to be some improvement, but the hissing and gurgling still occurs. My concern is that she is still experiencing times when she stops breathing, so how can I tell IF that is the case? And what can/should I do?
Thanks in advance,
jake
I am actually asking a question concerning my wife. She was clinically diagnosed with SA and CPAP was prescribed. She went through the testing to get her fitted for the appropriate mask/pillow and has been using it for a few months now. However, she has had to return for another test because she was still emitting a lot of hissing from the machine and was not getting the rest that she should.
Adjustments were made and there seems to be some improvement, but the hissing and gurgling still occurs. My concern is that she is still experiencing times when she stops breathing, so how can I tell IF that is the case? And what can/should I do?
Thanks in advance,
jake
Views: 8
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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Try to determine where that hissing, gurgling is really coming from. I assume her CPAP includes an integrated, heated humidifier. Is there moisture in the hose?? That could well be the gurgling sound. Condensation formed by the difference in humidifier and room temperatures. There are several remedies for this that can be tried: placing the CPAP and humidifier lower than the level of the mattress top, hanging the hose above her head, a hose cover made of a slippery material, turning down the temperature of the humidifier or turning it off all together to use it in passover mode.
Are you sure that the hissing isn't just the normal, allowed and intended venting of the mask??
What brand and model CPAP is your wife using? Some are fully data capable and the data would indicate whether the hissing is caused by too much Leak. Therapy leaked via poor mask fit, or thru mouth openiing or thru the "lip flutters" is therapy not received.
The data could also indicate how many apneas and hypopneas she is still experiencing during sleep altho too high a Leak rate can skew the data. How long has she had this CPAP? If it is not fully data capable (just because it has a data card does NOT mean that it is fully data capable) and she has had it less that 30 days, 45 days most likely maximum, you could insist that it be exchanged for a fully data capable model of the same brand.
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Hi,
Thanks for the quick reply. I do understand all you say about the hissing/gurgling, and actually that is peripheral to my biggest concern. All that can be remedied, but according to the last line in my original post, that still does not tell me if/when she is not breathing. Those are the indicators I am seeking. Can you shed any light?
Thanks again,
jake
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And you didn't tell us what brand and model CPAP she is using. Or how long she has had it. Some CPAPs are fully data capable and allow for viewing a good share of that data via the LCD screen. The reported AI tells you how often or if she quits breathing. Some CPAPs have a Leak alert option. Other than that you can either stay awake all night watching her breathe, or buy a recording oximeter w/software for her to use each night along w/her CPAP.
Insurance doesn't pay for CPAP software and cable reader nor does it pay for oximeter and software. That would be all out of pocket.
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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Some machines, as Judy indicated, provide very useful data. Without knowing which machine your wife is using members can not know for sure if detailed data is available for you to view.
Have you watched her when she is experiencing these spells? Have you observed her stop breathing?
Otherwise we aren't going to be of much help, I am afraid, due to the limited amount of information we have from your posts.
One thing you might do is ask the doctor to do an overnight oximeter reading to see where her O2 levels are. That might shed some light on your question.
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So am I understanding correctly that the hissing doesn't necessarily mean that she stopped breathing? Also, I am understanding that some models have data that can be read to see if she has stopped at any time? If that is the case, I can find out easily enough from the machine supplier on how to read it.
jake
Judy said:And you didn't tell us what brand and model CPAP she is using. Some CPAPs are fully data capable and allow for viewing a good share of that data via the LCD screen. Other than that you can either stay awake all night watching her breathe, or buy a recording oximeter w/software for her to use each night along w/her CPAP.
Insurance doesn't pay for CPAP software and cable reader nor does it pay for oximeter and software. That would be all out of pocket.
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That actually is what I am trying to find out. I observe (I'm a light sleeper), but don't understand what is happening relevant to what I am observing. As long as the machine is going, I don't know if she has stopped or not. My question was asked to find out if the hissing was the indicator. As mentioned in the original post, she has been on it a few months and I am still fumbling around trying to understand.
Jake
sleepycarol said:Some machines, as Judy indicated, provide very useful data. Without knowing which machine your wife is using members can not know for sure if detailed data is available for you to view.
Have you watched her when she is experiencing these spells? Have you observed her stop breathing?
Otherwise we aren't going to be of much help, I am afraid, due to the limited amount of information we have from your posts.
One thing you might do is ask the doctor to do an overnight oximeter reading to see where her O2 levels are. That might shed some light on your question.
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Her machine will have the name and model on it somewhere. On the Respironics machines it should be on the top, unsure about the ResMed machines. Look at the top of the machine if it is an M series or a Remstar and give us the full name of the machine. We can tell you if it provides useful data or not. Some machines record the number of apneas per night, leak rate, etc. This is very useful in determining if therapy is working and if events are still happening.
Hope she has a machine that records these details as it will make things easier.
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You are correct. This hissing is NOT an indication that she has stopped breathing. Every mask has a vent port to allow the escape of "used" air.
The AI = apnea index = the number of times one has quit breathing each hour of sleep. The HI = hypopnea index = the number of times one's breathing has been reduced due to partial obstruction of the airway per hour of sleep. The AHI = the number of apneas and hyponeas per hour one has experienced. An AHI of less than 5.0 is considered "normal" sleep. We like to see the AI less than 1.0
The Resmed CPAPs have their model name written on the top in the navy blue area of the CPAP. By the way - good on you for being this concerned about and interested in your wife's apnea therapy!!! Is she feeling rested?
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