RE: Just started
Agree with UnicornRider. You do need a bit more IPAP to clear up the remaining hypopnoea’s and the flow limitations need maybe a bit of EPR, but we do not want it to trigger CA’s. A fine balance has to found.
Two options come to mind in no particular order. Set your pressure to 12 with EPR 1, or try it at 13 with EPR 1. We want to be careful not to cause more problems than it solves. Depending on how it goes, the next thing to try would be a bit more pressure with possibly more EPR.
Give it some thought and let us know.
RE: Just started
These are the settings that they set during my sleep study. I believe the priority was to keep my oxygen levels where they need to be, my Garmin watch seems to be indicating that the levels are much improved. I’ll be interested to see the full report but probably won’t get that until my next appointment just after Xmas. I think for now that an ahi of under 2 from 53.3 is a massive improvement and I’m feeling amazing so I’m not in a hurry to fiddle too much at this stage.
As to handling more pressure I don’t see that would be a problem so putting it up to 13 with an EPR of 1 is a possibility for the future.
I do have a bit of a deviated septum so that could be causing some issues, it’s one of the reasons I avoided nasal masks initially.
12-13-2023, 06:24 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-13-2023, 06:25 PM by PeaceLoveAndPizza.)
RE: Just started
Things at the beginning and end in many cases can be classified as sleep-wake junk (SWJ). You are not really asleep, so it is not something we worry too much about in such situations.
If you want to tweak some add a wee bit more pressure, maybe increase by 0.2 or 0.4, to try and stop the hypopnoea’s, or at least reduce them.
If may also be worthwhile giving a soft cervical collar a go as it will not only help with the few event clusters you have, but also help with keeping your airway in a good position. You can find them on Amazon for $10-$20 USD, so not too expensive. Personally I have used the Caldera Releaf for years and find them comfy.
If you are fine with things as they are no worries. Continue for a while and post some charts for review. Overall a bang-up job reducing the events!
RE: Just started
Some of your events look like they are clustered, are you wearing a SCC (Soft Cervical Collar). Do you have a low pillow?
Even though I was sleeping with a SCC (Caldera ReLeaf) I recently purchased a "Velpeau Enhanced" SCC. I was amazed it increased my measured O2 Max, O2 Ave & O2 Low by at least 1%, as measured by my Wellue Checkme O2 Max.
Your Flow limits, look as though they could use additional increase in pressure to open the airway, but pillow and SCC might correct some of that.
Can you provide a ~3 minute zoom flow rate view at 2105?
That zoomed view should show how well supported your airway is at this pressure.
It might be with some EPR and a pressure increase we could help your Flow Limits.
RE: Just started
PL&P fast fingered the keyboard and jumped in there before I could hit post.
I agree with everything he says.
RE: Just started
Am considering changing my pillow. I currently use a firm memory foam pillow which gives great neck support while side sleeping. Problem I start on my side but wake up on my back. The hospital had a softer pillow which was ok so I am probably going to have to change it. Probably too high/firm when I’m on my back. Might spin it around to the low side for now til I can replace it.
I can see how the scc might be good but I’m currently quite a hot sleeper (perimenopause yay) so I’m not sure I’d tolerate it
RE: Just started
I understand about hot sleeping, I slept with a fan blowing on me for a long time,
If you are looking at a new pillow, some form of a CPAP pillow might be helpful.
