02-26-2024, 03:11 AM
Another new user needing guidance
I have already learnt a lot from the Board - thanks. My sleep study was just over 3 weeks ago and I was diagnosed with mild to moderate OSA with AHI excluding RERA of 6.1 and including RERA of 16.3 ( 1 central apnea, 32 obstructive hypopneas and 50 RERA). I'm on a loaned Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for her (pressure 6-10 and EPR now 1, started at 3 and was adjusted last few days). I haven't had any problems with compliance and average 7 hours use a night on a nasal mask. Things started well and AHI was below 5, varying from 0.3 to 4.8, averaging 2.7 with only mild side effects - some congestion, some mild gas etc. My obstructive events disappeared almost completely and virtually all events were now shown as central apneas. I started to develop some right side rib and side pain which I took to be initial soreness. However, that has got worse and most nights now follow a pattern of falling asleep fine (side sleeper), turning a couple of times and then waking after anything from 2.5 to 4 hours in a lot of pain from right rib area around side and radiating to central back. Up to that point my events always show in the range 0-0.5 AHI. The pain is clearly amplified by gas as I can get it to start dulling down by walking around or sitting up and belching frequently. Once the pain has subsided I cannot really sleep the rest of the night and, almost immediately, the central apneas start and appear in clusters typically from 4am to getting up. I can feel this happening as I am dozing / trying to get to sleep and it can be quite scary. Recently, they have been 20-30 per hour in that early morning period and driving my AHI up to 7-10, virtually all central apneas. So, my main two concerns are the pain and the central apneas. My sleep doctor dismisses the gas and pain as unconnected and the gas as unlikely to be that severe from CPAP. He doesn't seem concerned about the Central Apneas saying results are good. i have ordered a side sleeper CPAP pillow, a mattress topper and a chin strap and am practising keeping my tongue against the roof of my mouth. Any thoughts on anything else I can do short of full face masks (i didn't like them when trying and can't sleep on my back)? Also, are the central apneas likely to be treatment emergent and may resolve in time or could I always have had them (my sleep study unaided finished a little after 4am to be put on CPAP where I only slep for a further 30 minutes)? As final context, I also have general anxiety disorder which gives multiple physical symptoms and may be contributing to the chest pain. Sorry, no OSCAR until I can get my own machine (later this week). Many thanks for any thoughts or similar experiences.
