[CPAP] Need OSCAR data analysis

[Kubbster]

Hello everyone, 

M- 31, BMI of 31, have always snored my whole life. Recently got a sleep study - AHI of 57. Was placed on CPAP -> BiPAP. Eventually got my BiPAP AutoSV. I have been using the machine now for approximately 4 months, still hard to tell if it has made a drastic change in my energy - however my wife reports that she doesn't hear me snore at all with the machine on (where as before it would sound like a freight train rolling through the bedroom). 

My main problem in the beginning was keeping the mask on all night (and still is) due to my throat becoming dry. I have remedied that with the humidifier settings, however I am finding I will take the mask off after 4.5 - 5 hours once the pressure has ramped up or the mask starts to irritate my nose. Any suggestions? 

Also I downloaded OSCAR and have been looking at my data (here are a few of my longer nights), was wondering if anyone has some suggestions for altering my pressures/ranges? 

Thanks in advance, much appreciated.

[OpalRose]

Welcome to Apnea Board!

Which nasal mask are you using? Sounds like the fit may not be quite right. Have you had a chance to try a different mask?

I'm thinking your minimum PS setting should be set to 4, but wait and see what others suggest.

Hang in there, I'm sure someone can advise you further on your bipap settings.

[OpalRose]

[Sleeprider]

With BiPAP Auto SV set to EPAP min 4.0, EPAP max pressure 25 and PS 2.0 to 20.0 your AHI is low. You have no apnea, either central or obstructive. Your pressure support is staying relatively low for a complex apnea patient, howeve the EPAP pressure is moving around quite a bit. You are experiencing snores and some flow limitation and a bit of hypopnea. To stabilize the therapy, I would consider a higher EPAP min of 5.5 and PS min of 3.0. This will stabilize your airway, reduce snores, flow limits and hypopnea and should look a lot more like the second session in your chart. I don't see leaks as a big problem here as the Philips machines report total leak and chart estimated excess leak which looks a bit high at the 95% of 40 L/min.

[Kubbster]

Thanks everyone, will try out the suggestion for the PsMin / Epap. I have currently have a Resmed N20 nasal mask (Small). I think it fits well, just sometimes after wearing it for 4-5 hours I can feel the irritation on my face and usually have to take it off.

[Kubbster]

Other nasal masks I have tried include the ResMed Airfit P10. I have tried a few full face masks with no luck - I just feel too claustrophobic, and I really really prefer the nasal mask. Currently I think I have purchased like 5 masks lol, the best one for me by far has been the N20.