Going it alone-help me with my settings and SpO2 desats

[Papgirl]

            Hi all

Been lurking for a few weeks and decided to post in the hopes you ca help!

I had a private sleep study in the Uk and have not yet been seen by a doctor in the NHS. So I bought my own APAP to get my treatment started.

I’ve read no end on flow limitations, positional apnea, soft cervical collars etc. I’ve tried to eliminate any events linked to position, but struggle to stay on my aide despite the tennis ball method and the scc I can only keep on for a short time due to neck pain.

I mouth tape to make sure I don’t get any leaks with my mask, which works really well.

I’m including 2 nights data using different settings, they also show my oxygen desats. 

I’ve tried different minimum and maximum pressures, I’ve found higher pressures lead to the odd central apnoea which I’ve been trying to avoid. I’ve also tried different epr, normally 2 or 3.

The data from 15th had an epr of 2 and last nights data on 28th had an epr of 3.

I’m unsure if my desats can be fixed with the machine I have or if I’ll need for example a bilevel?

Appreciate any input! Many thanks ☺️ 

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[UnicornRider]

What Pulse/Oximeter make/model are you using?

What does your SpO2 look like without the support your machine supplies?

How did you feel with your Minimum Pressure set to 12.6 cmH2O on the 15th?

I too show significant SpO2 Drops with OA,CA,UA of ~20 seconds. They do not last long enough to concern my Primary Care Physician. My ResMed provides sufficient support during the night that the SpO2 Drops are not of significant duration. During the Daytime because my Wellue Checkme O2 Max has audible and vibratory alarms it reminds me to breathe, I show a lower Average SpO2 during the day, but not the extreme drops as I do at night.

I would suggest you wean yourself off of the Ramp as soon as possible. either cold turkey or reduce the time duration of ramp over a week or two. Or you could increase ramp starting pressure over the same time period. You receive no therapy during the ramp time.

Your Events and AHI looked better at 12.6 cmH2O, But do you remember how you felt when you woke and through out that day?


Post back with more OSCAR Reports.

[Papgirl]

Hi,

Thanks so much for your reply. I use the Wellue SleepO2 ring. That’s good to know about what your doctor has said, where I haven’t had any input, I’ve been unsure how concerned I should be.

I’m guessing my desats are relatively negligible. 

Im including the night of 29th, a nap I had following that and night of 30th. I had changed my settings to 12-14 on apap mode and epr of 2. I’ve been really pleased with the change in my spo2. I’ve also made myself a backpack which kept me on my side last night!

Looking at the data, I’m thinking increase minimum to 12.6?

I’m going to need to keep the ramp, with the higher pressure of 12+, I can feel the pressure in the back of my throat that makes it very hard to fall asleep, so I figure 15-20mins of ramp gives me time to get to sleep and then the pressure doesn’t bother me.

Thanks again
   
   
   

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And then this is the spo2 to go with last nights Oscar data..

   

[Papgirl]

Oh and this is my spo2 before therapy!

   

[UnicornRider]

  UnicornRider Nov 8 2023 not a good night.pdf (Size: 293.74 KB / Downloads: 3) It takes a while to get acclimated to the fit and feel of the masks under pressure, the best thing I have found, is to wear the mask during the day or evening while watching TV, playing cards, gaming or reading.  Definitely if you take a nap, wear the mask.

Has your GP referred you to a respiratory specialists, or a Pulmonologists?

Does the alarm/vibrate function of the ring enable you to keep your SpO2 levels up?

Because 3 out of four of the household members here responded to the alarms/vibrations and were able to keep our average SpO2 up above 91% we did not get supplemental O2, My Mom under CPAP therapy was able to qualify because her SpO2 Average under therapy was  only 90%.

   

At the time, I could not wear a mask, but because I was above 90% I did not qualify.


  UnicornRider Nov 8 2023 not a good night.pdf (Size: 293.74 KB / Downloads: 3)

My SpO2 has improved significantly, but I still wear the ring and a couple of times a day it buzzes me as a reminder Breathe in/Breathe Out.

Every 3 or 4 days raise your ramp pressure ~0.20 to 0.40 cmH2O, you should be able to comfortably handle that change, if you wear the mask under pressure during the day time.

Post back and let me know how you are progressing.