AHI of 1, but still sleepy, napping, dry mouth

[SeePak]

Hi John.

Short answer..

7 min.  8 max

modified this after seeing on my PC, phone was not seeing the OA events, which seemed to happen closer to 8 cm.

I am wondering John, did you get prescribed possibly 8 cm, but they set you up with EPR 3 which would drop to 5 cm pressure during exhale?
If that is the case, i would adjust as follows....

8cm pressure, no EPR and see how that goes.

The obstructive apnea events are still happening certainly nothing serious in my experience.

Keep an eye on your time in apnea and how you're feeling rested or not.

The CA events may go up as you are raising some of your pressures which is why I was originally suggesting and anticipating that and dropping just a bit on the max pressure.

Seems like you have a pretty stable sleep but just know that it's not likely that it can stay that way all the time they're always seems to be bumps in the road at least in my experience.

Hopefully you can stay away from the coffee later on in the day as that could even affect you for sleep but everybody's different with that.

Let me know what you think?

[SeePak]

Also John, meant  to say, great about your dry mouth changing !

Breathing thru the nose will keep moisture in your nose  and mouth etc.

And you have more chance of staying in a rest and digest state whcih will stimulate your whole body thru the vagal nerves.

This keeps your mouth moist, better oral hygiene too!

[yngwiej]

I am wondering John, did you get prescribed possibly 8 cm, but they set you up with EPR 3 which would drop to 5 cm pressure during exhale?

Hi SeePak, thanks for the help. I don't recall if my doctor originally prescribed an EPR setting, but I don't think so. I just remember her saying I could play around with it if I wanted to.

Anyway, I tried 7-8 cm for two nights and uploaded those here. Tonight I'm going to try CPAP 8cm and see if it changes anything and then I'll report back.

[SeePak]

sounds good John.

How has the sleep been?

Still have the OA events, will see whats left when you have 8 cm steady.
Should be pretty close there.

[yngwiej]

Here's a few more nights of sleep with 8cm. To be honest, I can't feel much of a difference in my sleep quality since changing my settings. I'm still sleepy throughout my day, and take naps at home or at work whenever I can. Last night I slept under 6 hours and woke up on my own. Then after lunch I took a 2 hour nap, which is pretty much the norm for me on my days off.

I'm guessing I should up my max from here. What would you guys recommend? Thank you so much for your help.

[SeePak]

Hey John.

The OA events still there.

I am thinking, like others, you  need higher max. pressure.
And the 8 cm is just not doing it.

how bout try 9 min to 10 cm max

 to start,  and find out what it takes to get rid of the OA events.

[yngwiej]

It's been a while since I posted my newest data because on my SD card the switch on the side fell off and it has been stuck in read-only mode. It took me a few days to realize it, then a few more days for a new card to come in. So finally I have some new data to share. I can't say there's been much difference in how I feel. Still tired and napping every afternoon that I can.

[staceyburke]

I am the person who suggested using EPR 3.  The reason I did back at the start of this thread is EPR controls Flow Limits and the ResMed machine raises the pressure when it finds flow limits.  If you look back at ALL of your charts, compare the rise (to the max pressure) with the charts on flow limits.  They corollate completely.   You will always go to the max until the flow limits are minimized.  I still suggest you put the min greater than 7 and EPR 3...

[SeePak]

Hey John

Sorry u had those issues, makes it tougher when sleep is not up to par !

We got your pressure up slowly, while maintaining status quo, yes?

So first, no harm.

Now, seems to me you have OA triggered around 9.25 cm give or take. Actually, if you could put mask pressure on your chart that would really help.

Control pressure of   9.75 cm to 10.5 or 11cm would be a good safe range i think

Also, we have discovered a 'trick' that can help with inhalation flow turbulence when using nasal pillows

Set menu to full face mask.

If you use this, maybe 9.75 cm to 11 cm would be a good range.

This will provide more cushioning of pressure changes in your nasal and breathing system components, which should lead to more normal respiration, better CO2/O2 utilization, less leaks and more comfort.

I think the pressure change is needed anyway, and this should be pretty close for a good baseline for you to be able to have more rest and less fatigue.

Your thoughts?

[Deborah K.]

I agree that you need to add back EPR set at 3,  drop your start pressure to 8, and leave your maximum pressure where it is.  You need that EPR for better therapy and comfort.  It will also help you not need to use higher and higher pressure settings.  Most of us feel much better using the EPR for pressure support.  Don't drop it again.  It's important that you use it.  You will sleep better.