Sleepy, too many arousals?
Looking for some insight and advice, thanks in advance. I have been on a cpap machine since fall of 2018. I was using the Phillips dreamstation and I replaced the air chamber with one without foam after the recall notice. I got a ResMed AirSense 11 this past July 2024. Previously the dreamstation would not give me data on the sd card, but I have data now for Oscar and SleepHQ.
I switched from an Amara view to the very soft Resmed AirFit F40. Sadly I had to replace that with a N30 nasal cradle mask. I am having neck surgery in Jan 2025 and the neck straps seemed to aggravate my neck issues. I am a side sleeper and have experienced the leak battle, possible when I am aroused and switch to the other side. I presently use mouth tape and a chin strap and have tried the soft cervical collar, I am awaiting deliver of a new collar today.
My numbers appear ok, but the ResMed machine seems to “miss” events that may be causing arousals. I am on opioids for my pain, which doesn’t help my breathing issues. I am prediabetic and battle high blood pressure. I have to fight the urge to chase numbers, I need a better rest night, period. I have attached some Oscar screen shots with my fitness tracker sleep data. Not sure how accurate, but it seems consistent.
I use the CPAP mode and use the ramp feature only to emphasize my awakenings with the mask off. I have experimented with turning on EPR, but have increased the pressure to compensate, sorry for the long post.
Yesterday, 01:17 PM
(This post was last modified: Yesterday, 01:21 PM by katbrat. Edited 1 time in total.)
RE: Sleepy, too many arousals?
Check out this video on leak rates. It might help you out:
https://youtu.be/FtRWhOgfY2A?si=sYXyneF38VSXYdwz
There are lots of other videos on youtube that address leak rates/mask leaks/mouth leaks that are helpful.
Also a look at some individual breaths:
https://youtu.be/XVscmoOW29U?si=EUqikYBXZSb4NTeQ
RE: Sleepy, too many arousals?
katbrat, thanks for the video links, my wife hates when I watch these as I replay parts and that disturbs her reading, haha.
My soft cervical collar shipment is delayed, ugh... I have one I was going to return as the velcro barely catches, it was mislabeled as a large. I may give it a shot again.
Yesterday, 03:02 PM
(This post was last modified: Yesterday, 03:04 PM by katbrat.)
RE: Sleepy, too many arousals?
Haha! Yes, I get that! Get some ear buds, man! It's worth learning as much as you possibly can! And the cervical collar REALLY helps me. But make sure it's not too tight. Good luck!