[CPAP] Not sure my CPAP is doing any good

[wayneb64]

See if this helps.

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

I have tried every option listed and cannot see any files which OSCAR recognizes. I found the DB files but not the 'session' files. There is no DATA folder under O2 InsightPro folder in AppData.

[Dormeo]

Possibly but if it's not really CSR and only 'period breathing' does it matter? What can be done about it even if it is CSR? Doesn't sound like there really is a 'cure' or treatment for it out there but maybe I misread.

It might matter.  If you may be experiencing CSR, that might make a difference to how your cardiologist diagnoses your problems.  In particular, it might cause him to look again at the possibility that you have congestive heart failure.

So please give the cardiologist several of the flow-rate graphs showing the possible CSR.  Meanwhile, please also try to follow Gideon's advice.

[multicast]

Could you explain that a bit? [...]  Are you saying because my mouth popped open I went into the CSR patter?

Yes, as others already pointed out.  And keep in mind that EPR increases the periodic breathing.  Hence you might try to turn EPR to avoid periodic breathing.

[wayneb64]

Yes, as others already pointed out.  And keep in mind that EPR increases the periodic breathing.  Hence you might try to turn EPR to avoid periodic breathing.

I tried going to an EPR of 2 with the range suggested (7-15) but it gave me a headache within minutes of trying it out while reading before bed.

Not sure if it was the new settings or not but I ended up with an AHI of 1.46 last night, best OSCAR charts yet but I don't feel all that great this morning.

Some people rave about how the CPAP changes their lives immediately but I don't feel that much better with this 1.46 than I did with the 7.95 a few days ago.

[Crimson Nape]

Did you increase your pressure settings the same amount as the EPR value? If not, you may wish to do this, since the EPR reduces your pressure on exhale the amount of the EPR number.

- Red

[wayneb64]

Did you increase your pressure settings the same amount as the EPR value?   If not, you may wish to do this, since the EPR reduces your pressure on exhale the amount of the EPR number.

- Red

I was at EPR 3 with a minimum of 6, the recommendation was boosting the minimum to 7 and reducing the EPR to 2, but that was just to much resistance to exhaling so I kept the minimum of 7 but put the EPR back to 3 so I did actually raise the exhale from 3 to 4 if I am understanding it correctly.

[Crimson Nape]

The lowest pressure that the AS11 will use is 4 cm. Even if you used an EPR of 3 with a pressure setting of 6, your exhale pressure will still be 4. Your exhale pressure is still 4 when you increase to a 7 cm setting, using the same EPR of 3.

- Red

[multicast]

Could you explain that a bit? [...]  Are you saying because my mouth popped open I went into the CSR patter?

Yes, as others already pointed out.  And keep in mind that EPR increases the periodic breathing.  Hence you might try to turn EPR to avoid periodic breathing.

[Gideon]

One of the issues with suggesting changes is that even with great knowledge you never know for sure exactly how an individual will respond.  Typical responses in no problem.

7-15, EPR=3 is good, stick with these for a while.

[Mugsy]

Hiya OP.  Your origin story sounds a lot like mine and it makes me a bit sad for you.  

About 5 months ago I got home from a fishing trip to ID/MT.  Told my wife I had felt a bit under the weather for a couple days and expected it to get better so ignored as usual.  Fast forward a week and I was admitted to the hospital with o2 sat level at 78 and general inability to breathe.  

After 3 months of every test imaginable they decided I had a double lung infection from a spore inhaled while riding dirt bikes.  Heart tested fine and like you cardiologist was done with me when tests came back ok.  apparently I have developed asthma due to the associated respiratory issues and my o2 sat levels have never really fully recovered but then again I live high up in CO.  They also prescribed an in home sleep test and I ended up on CPAP - this is probably years overdue.  Therapy dialed in really easily for me but I neither feel better nor worse after 2 months of CPAP.  I didn’t exhibit most of the fatigue related issues though.

Figure out how to upload o2 ring into OSCAR and it is the best way to track what o2 and heartbeat are doing when apnea events are happening.  It also helps me to be able time track o2 desats using OSCAR - the Wellvue software is pretty but leaves a lot to be desired. 

Good luck amigo!  Hope you can get some clarity and help here. 

Edit: cleaned up typos.