[CPAP] New to all this, trying to make sense and better my treatment

[OpalRose]

As previously discussed, the tool for reducing Flow Limitation is by using EPR.  
Except for recently, you were using the max setting of EPR 3, and it didn't make a difference in the FL.  That is why we started to inch your pressure up from 8 to 9.

The reason we try to keep FL down, is that it can be disruptive to sleep even with low AHI numbers.  Your 95% FL is about 0.14 and we like to see it below 0.10.
You apparently need more pressure support (PS) which only a Bipap can give.  

I suggest you move your EPR back to 3 and keep your min-max pressure at 9.  
Watch this for a few days and repost.  

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...imitations

Also, be aware of how you are sleeping (chin tucking), laying on your back, or using more than one pillow.  This will cause the positional apnea that we occasionally see.

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...onal_Apnea

Hang in there and don't get discouraged.  It takes time to dial in the right therapy.

[SleeplessNSeattle]

Will do I'll try it for the next few days. Hopefully I won't need a BIPAP.

[SleeplessNSeattle]

Just posting my reports from the past few nights, still open to suggestions if you think changes can be made. Didnt wear my CPAP much last night as I was wide awake early in the morning,

[OpalRose]

Are you comfortable with a pressure of 9? Your AHI is decent, but still high FL.
The apnea that does show up looks positional.

Stick with it a couple more nights.

[SleeplessNSeattle]

To be honest I can't tell a difference between any of the settings I have had. The few nights that I have had terrible sleep since tracking all of this I can't attribute it to the CPAP settings or the machine at all.

If you see reason to kick it up or down more anywhere I'll give it a try. I don't know what I can do to resolve those FL. Do they at least appear to have gotten better over time?

I found a Dreamwear nasal mask in my bag I'll give that a try tonight maybe that will work better.

https://images.app.goo.gl/KqpYpfCcfMptge898

[OpalRose]

I wouldn't change your pressure right now. The FL seems a little better with EPR 3, but then Clear Airways increase. I can't say why you're not sleeping well.
FL can disturb sleep, but there may be other things at play, like health issues, meds we take, etc. Mask fit and comfort are important.

I would just hold steady for a few days, and watch sleep position and chin tucking. Some of your apneas are positional.

[SleeplessNSeattle]

Seems good, If these are attributed to positions any recommendations how I can change those I know I switch positions at least once a night.

I have cleaned my old (new) mask Dreamwear and I'll see how my apneas are tonight. I do like the N20mask andnI can get refills on it from my dad so hoping I can somehow make that one work of the issue is my mask itself.

Thanks

[OpalRose]

I don't see any leak issue, so choose comfort when selecting a mask.

Look at the graphs that show clumps of apnea. Are you using more than one pillow?
Switch to a flatter one. Some use a soft cervical collar to help keep from chin tucking, but yours isn't that bad at all.

[SleeplessNSeattle]

Ahh ok so my FL issues you keep referring to aren't related to mask, I thought maybe I was hitting my mask in sleep or my maks was hitting the pillow and losing its seal. 

Yup just one pillow

Took the pillowcase off it to show the lines of it its kind of got a cutaway for my neck.

https://imgur.com/a/NHmY1Ly

[SleeplessNSeattle]

Just checking in, since our last post between sleeping at a friend's house for the holidays and now with a cold I have had awful sleep so I am gonna wait till the cold clears before I get back to checking my data as I am sure ot jot reliable due to external factors.

Last nighty nose was so stuffed up Incouldnt even use the cpap because I couldn't breathe through my nose.

But I'll be back soon!